If you’re here, getting ready to read this post, then maybe you’re going through a rough time. Or maybe, you generally feel happy but you know you can feel happier. The thing about starting your own business or just life in general is that you put so much energy into your success that you cast aside your mental and physical health.
This article is going to show you some techniques that will help bring you back to the forefront of your own happiness. Being happy is not something that you achieve once and it stays with you forever. Happiness is built, maintained and practiced. I want to share with you my favourite techniques that have helped me maintain a consistent happiness.
Mindfulness and Meditation
What exactly is mindfulness? Mindfulness is a mental state that always keeps you in the present. It means acknowledging your emotions, thoughts and so forth without dwelling on them or judging them. To accomplish this, you have to be the master of your own mind.
Meditation can help you with this along with other things. Meditation is an activity that should be practiced by everyone no matter your gender or race. Meditating in the morning, afternoon, evening or any time of day that you feel like you need it, it’ll give you the time and space to just be in your own mind and channeling your thoughts.
It can be as little as 5 minutes at a time to practice controlling and focusing your mind. I can guarantee that if you try meditating for the first time, your mind will be racing about random things. It takes practice and dedication to perfect it but you can notice the benefits after just one time.
You will feel more relaxed, less stressed, more focused and a bunch of other awesome things. All those things equaling to being happier!
Breath Work
Practicing breathing techniques are often underestimated. Breathing techniques can do wonders for you in moments that you’re feeling overwhelmed or need to get back into the present. Breathing techniques are best practiced during periods of meditation. If you listen to guided meditations, they will walk you through the breathing techniques.
Gratitude
Get yourself a journal or a notebook that you dedicate towards your gratitude entries. At the beginning and end of your day, get into the habit of writing 10 things that you are grateful for. This will help you block off some time to be appreciative of your life. You don’t need to wait until Thanksgiving to remember to be grateful for something. Do it every day, you owe it to yourself.
Kindness
How many times have you heard treat others as you would like to be treated. This still stands, but also remember to treat yourself with kindness as well. There is no need to be hard on yourself. You are doing the best you can. If you feel like there is room for improvement, then improve at a healthy pace.
Hobbies
Sometimes in our busy lives, we forget the importance of having a hobby. Having a hobby means having something to call your own and something that can’t be judged. Even if you just want to watch TV and your hobby is finishing all famous movie series, who cares? This time if for you to do what YOU want to do, and no one can tell you any different. Just don’t abuse this and trick yourself that it’s a hobby when you’re really using it to divert from your tasks.
A hobby is also something that will let you explore your creativity and generally open your mind. Indulging in time to just do your own thing, will make you happier in your day to day life.
Health and Nutrition
If you don’t treat your body well, how do you expect to feel happy? Regular exercise, eating well and spending time in nature are all things that nourish your body. Keeping yourself healthy has obvious health benefits but it helps greatly with your moods.
It is scientifically proven that exercising is like breathing for the brain so when you feel like you have brain fog sometimes it’s your body telling you to move.
Try to exercise at least every other day, even if you’re just going for a walk. The point is to get your body moving. If you’re someone that works at a desk all day then this is especially important. I am not telling you to go out and be an Olympian, just have an exercise routine that feels right to you.
Exercising and eating right go hand in hand with healthy living. Try to avoid processed foods as much as you can, they are not your friend. It is in our DNA to overindulge, just do it in a healthy way.
Volunteer
Use some of your time to give back. Helping someone or giving time to an organization gives us profound effects on our level of happiness. Also, just the fact of having a change of pace from your daily work routine will do wonders for your mood. It’s amazing to have something in your life that you enjoy without getting paid, it’s a reminder that you are human.
Be Social
Go out there, have fun with your friends! It always makes us feel good to connect with people, so go ahead and do that! Although be cautious, if you’re seeking out social interactions because you are feeling lonely inside, then this is something that needs professional attention.
It’s also scientifically proven that as human beings are number one that we all want is human connection. It’s what keeps us going.
Professional Help
There is absolutely NO harm in seeking out professional help, be it a psychologist or a social worker. If there is something inside of you that just doesn’t feel right, then seek out help. There is NO shame. Mental health is no joke and should be taken seriously.
Some people just need someone to talk to that is not a part of their everyday lives, this is when a social worker can be very helpful. Sometimes this service comes free from your local clinic. Take the time to inquire, it can only be beneficial for you.
Some people just have a brain chemical imbalance which is why seeking out a professional is so important. You can be trying all these things but if you’re just built that way then you need medication to regulate it.
— https://www.healthline.com/health/chemical-imbalance-in-the-brain
Even when it comes to medication, not all pills work the same for everyone. Take your time, be patient and find the perfect solution for you.
So as you can see, there is no magic pill for happiness as there is also no singular solution. The trick is to put some or all of the points above into effect and then enjoy the results. I have no doubt that even if you try one of the solutions above, that you will immediately start to feel happier.
You deserve to be as happy as you can possibly be. That takes precedence over any job or relationship. If you don’t feel fulfilled, how can you possibly give 100% of yourself to your job, relationship or anything else in your day to day life? Remember, YOU come first.
