So I borrowed (ok, stole) this idea from a site I "stumbled upon" and I thought I'd give it a shot! I've been kind of down in the dumps lately and I needed to get out! If you've ever read the book The Phantom Tollbooth, I definitely felt like Milo and Tock when they were in the Doldrums! Bad news bears! So I'm going to attempt to break this down into a few different main topics and work from there :-)
I'm a big believer that things don't bring happiness, but experiences and people do. Ultimately, it's ourselves that bring us the ultimate happiness because we have the control, theoretically! That being said ...
TRAVEL
1. TRAVEL! Just go! The very best times of my life have happened when I've traveled.
2. Take a weekend trip. Especially if money is a concern, just get out of the house and go somewhere fun/new/different/boring/relaxing!
3. Visit the ocean. It's really an interesting feeling to realize just how vast it is. And having sand between your toes definitely helps ease your mind :-)
4. Go camping. I've never actually done this, bu I HAVE slept outside in the desert, which I guess is camping as well. (Yay Girl Scouts in Saudi Arabia! haha) There's just something about being so close to nature and relying on your surroundings that is just really calming and surreal.
5. Stargaze. I look at the stars every chance I get. When you go somewhere other than your home, look at the sky! I'm personally a huge fan of stars so this one is easy for me. But I was once taught that there are more stars in the sky than there are grains of sand on the earth. And if you've ever been to a beach, there's a TON of sand! Imagine that multiplied by an innumerable amount. Breathtaking.
6. Do something that takes you completely out of your element every time you travel. In Argentina, I went parapenting - I'm terrified of heights! It was absolutely exhilirating and I wouldn't change the experience for the world! It was definitely one of the highlights of the trip.
7. Immerse yourself as much as possible with the locals. No excuses. No explanations. Words can't explain how life changing it can be.
WORK
8. Do something that you love! You will perform better if you enjoy your job.
9. Make enough money to fufill your basic needs; don't strive to make too much in order to avoid becoming wrapped up in materialistic ventures. Decide what is necessary and budget your money.
10. Be a self starter. Take initiative - you will be able to feel a sense of control if you're not the one in control and you will do what needs to be done if you're doing it for yourself.
11. Keep things in your workplace that enlighten you. I keep peppermint lotion and some pictures in my "area" at work. Michelle and I also keep a stash of chocolate :-) It's important to have a little something fun at your desk or wherever you work to remind you of why you do what you do.
12. Bake cookies/cake and bring it into work. Michelle and I had a blast doing it and it was very much appreciated. I have a tendency to bring breakfast from Bagel Bakery for Michelle and Sharon. It's just a little thoughtful thing that makes someone else happy.
HEALTH
13. Get enough sleep! I definitely don't do this, but not because I don't want to. Sleeping a NORMAL schedule is vitally important and can have lasting effects if you don't do it. I live for naps, but they're actually not the best idea when using them to supplement the lack of sleep from the night before. Whoops.
14. Take Vitamin C. Vitamins are good from any letter. But I'm a fan of C.
15. LAUGH out loud every day. Laughing releases stress and endorphins and makes us feel happier.
16. Go outside. Fresh air helps raise the levels of serotonin (the stuff that makes you happy!)
17. Work out. Cardio is great.
18. Eat chocolate. It's delicious, aside from its positive effects on your serotonin levels.
19. Meditate. Take some time out and just think about being calm! Definitely one of the hardest things for me; I need to learn how to relax and stop being go go go all the time.
20. Expose yourself to the sun - but not to excess. The sun's rays are proven to brighten your day.
21. Eat more colorful fruits and vegetables. They contain antioxidants which help remove toxins from our bodies that cause stress and aging.
22. 34) Drink hot mint tea. The scent of fresh mint is energizing and the steam will perk you up.
ATTITUDE
23. SMILE! It takes fewer muscles to smile than it does to frown.
24. Make a grateful list. Focus on all the great things in your life to enhance feelings of joy and attract more good things.
25. Break outside your comfort zone. Being comfortable doesn’t make you happy—challenging yourself does.
26. Follow your gut. Most of the time your first instinct is not only correct, but the best choice.
27. Don’t regret your decisions. If it turns out you were wrong, don’t waste time worrying about it, instead make the next best decision and move forward.
28. Accept that you can’t be happy all the time. Focus on being content and the truly happiness will be all that much sweeter.
29. Try to see from others’ perspectives. Much of our unhappiness comes from our frustration with other people not understanding us. Try to imagine how they see the world and the frustration will ease.
30. Let the little things go. There’s no sense in wasting your energy and inhibiting your happiness by worrying about things you can’t change.
31. Make the decision to be happy. Happiness is an attitude, not a physical state.
32. Don’t take things personally. So often, anger and frustration directed at us is a result of someone else’s misplaced stress. Recognize that it’s not necessarily about you and you’ll remain calmer and happier.
33. Savor the small moments. People who take longer to enjoy small moments and then reflect on them later in the day show significant increases in happiness.
34. Avoid comparing yourself to others. It’s damaging to self-esteem—focus on your own achievements.
35. Make meaningful goals. Harvard scientists say humans need a sense of purpose to thrive and that people with dreams and aspirations are happier than those without.
36. Embrace spirituality. Research suggests that people who participate in a religious community or explore alternate sets of beliefs are happier and better adjusted in life.
37. Have a good cry when you need it. Allowing yourself to break down completely is cathartic and you’ll feel better after you let it all out.
38. Learn to forgive yourself. Focusing on your past mistakes serves no purpose besides keeping you from moving on.
39. Maintain perspective. When life starts to feel out of control, remind yourself of the positive things in your life and how lucky you are.
40. Define what happiness means for you. Don’t worry about what other people define as happy, find what makes you happy and go for it.
RELATIONSHIPS
41. Always be true to how you feel. One cannot survive shrouded in false emotions and unwanted destinations. Wants and needs exist for a reason. Hiding from them only prolongs your journey to the happiness that I intend to find. (Borrowed from Eddie!)
42. Stay close to friends and family. Moving far away from networks of support can take a toll on your level of happiness—even if you have moved in order to make more money.
43. Get a dog. The studies showing the positive effects man’s best friend can have on your psyche are numerous: better emotional and physical health and a wagging tail.
44. Give more hugs. Hugging releases the same chemical as massage and is always free!
45. Make time for your friends. Personal connections are so important and making even a little time to be with people who make you smile can keep you happy.
46. Make new friends. Meeting other people is exciting and finding a new person with whom to connect can only enhance your fulfillment.
47. Write thank-you notes. Expressing gratitude makes you and the recipient happy.
48. Call your mom. Or your dad, or your grandma or anyone you haven’t talked to in a while and surprise them with a chat.
49. Get a cat. If you’re not a dog person, cats make wonderful, loving, stress-reducing housemates and bed-warmers.
50. Cuddle up with someone you love. Enjoy time with your kids or your partner for instant happiness.
51. Babysit for a friend. Being around children’s infectious optimism is sure to boost your mood.
52. Hold a baby. They’re cute and cuddly and without a care in the world—you’ll feel instantly uplifted.
ACTIVITIES
53. Color!!! Unless you're like me and COMPLETELY anal about having to use the exact colors for things.
54. Declutter. Throw away things that you haven't used in years and even some things that you have. It clears your mind as well as opens things up for new things/new memories.
55. Donate to those less fortunate than you. It will make you grateful for what you have.
56. Watch a funny movie with friends; it's fun to see which movies are funnier while watching with certain friends.
57. Nap nap nap :-)
58. Walk. Going on a walk can invigorate your mind and your body.
59. Surround yourself with smells that bring about good memories; I burn a couple different candles in my room depending on my mood. I always have Thai Dragonfruit on hand for my "whatever" moods and when I need a little pick me up, I burn peppermint candles. It helps bring you back to places/times when you were happy!
60. Dance. Always. Especially if there's no music.
61. Cook!
62. Dress up for no reason. Putting yourself together is a self esteem boost.
63. Wear perfume or cologne - but don't overdo it!
64. Volunteer your time to worthy organizations.
65. Do one random act of kindness EVERY DAY. Something as simple as holding open a door or letting someone in in traffic can brighten someone's day and can be contagious.
66. Write letters, even to friends down the street. Everyone likes getting mail.
67. Read. Take yourself away from this world, this time, and immerse yourself in something different.
68. Pick one day and turn off (or don't use) any form of electronic communication. No cell phone, no e-mail, no Facebook. I'll definitely be trying this out for a day or two over Winter Break.
69. Sing in the shower. Make sure it sounds absolutely dreadful.
70. Hide money somewhere in your room. Or in clothes for a different season (ex: it's winter; hide a 20 in a pair of shorts). It's exciting to find it later! I have $175 hidden somewhere in my room that I'm going to have to find before we head to Florida haha.
I know there are tons of other ways to be happy, but those are what I thought of (and some are borrowed from other places). I was always told to do one thing each day that makes you happy. So I figured I'd have a list of things to pick from to make it easier on myself. Hope some of these speak to you and make you happy as well. <3
71.
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