Life is like a roller coaster ride filled with ups and downs. There may be excitement, thrills, fear, bumps, or smooth sailing. Everyone has his or her own unique experience on this ride.
“Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it.” This quote is a great reminder that how we choose to react and respond to life, will determine our amount of enjoyment.
5 Simple Tips to Increase Joy and Happiness:
1. Gratitude: “The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.”
Learning to truly be thankful for even the small things can be life altering! When we focus on being grateful, we change our mindset to positive. Keep a “gratitude journal” and write 3 things each night you are grateful for, it is very effective. They can be as small as “I am grateful for the beautiful flowers I enjoyed today” to “ I am grateful for my safe and loving home.” As we fill our journals we are filling our hearts and minds with positive thoughts and increasing joy in our lives.
2. Random Acts Of Kindness: “ Is a selfless act performed by kind people to either help or cheer up a random stranger for no reason other than to make people happier.”
Studies show that when we are able to carry out a simple act of kindness for someone and see the joy it creates it can lower our blood pressure, reduce anxiety and create a ripple effect. The first effect is the joy in the person we have done something kind for. The second effect is the joy we personally feel inside from having a positive effect on another’s life. The third effect is also a residual “Halo Effect” – chances are high the person you helped will carry out a random act of kindness for someone else. These gestures are contagious, create joy and may change someone’s entire life for the better!
3. The Power Of Touch: “A simple kind and caring touch can help us remain healthy and gain happiness by releasing Oxytocin from the brain.”
The power of human touch has been studied and research shows that people require touch for happiness.
Touch can lower our stress hormone Cortisol and increase our Love Hormone Oxytocin. The power of touch can help stimulate good feelings and make us feel happier and more bonded. They can be simple things; a pat on the back, a hug, cuddling, massage, holding hands, kissing, and of course there is more intimate contact.
4. Laughter Is The Best Medicine: “Laughter may be the most contagious of all emotions.”
Laughter has a number of beneficial biochemical effects: it reduces cortisol and epinephrine the stress hormones; boosts the immune system, increases function of blood vessels and can increase neurotransmitters like serotonin or dopamine. It also relaxes tight muscles from stress.
So, turn on your favorite sit-com, go to a comedy theater or surround yourself with people that make you laugh! It will reduce your stress, boost your mood and you will feel much happier!
5. Time With Loved Ones: “Time and attention are the rarest and most pure forms of generosity.”
Surrounding yourself with people that care about you or make you feel special is a wonderful place to increase your sense of joy. People that are positive can’t help but increase your energy, so keep your personal circle upbeat.
Take time to listen to others as well as share your feelings and thoughts you grow and feel better giving and sharing. Spending time with people you love and care about is a true gift.
There are many other ways to increase happiness, but these tips are guaranteed to make you feel more positive and joyful once you incorporate them into your daily life. Choose happiness today!
Origionally posted in http://www.plaidforwomen.com/read-post/5-tips-finding-happiness/