Do You Want To Be Happy?

Brett Denton from KVELL Fitness and Nutrition sends an email blast every week and  it always provides insight on how to stay healthy physically and mentally. Last week his the subject line was "Do you want to be happy?  Are you happy?  Let's all be happier starting today!" I enjoyed this email because he included action items and I've always believed that a goal without actions steps is just a wish. Having said all of that, I thought I would share some actions steps with you.

Exercise

Exercise is as close to a magic bullet for all things as we can get)

Relationships and Community

Hang out with people who are doing what you want to be doing, who lift you, who support you, and who shower you and others with love, kindness, and compassion.

The longest study ever conducted on well being and happiness found that the strength of relationships and community had the most significant impact on our health and longevity.

Sleep

Without sufficient sleep, your brain and body will not function as well as they would with adequate sleep.  

Lack of sleep can lead to depression, weight gain, reduced mental functioning, disease, hormonal imbalance, and more. The opposite of these is also true with proper sleep.

Eat well

A whole food diet provides your body and brain what they need to keep the good neurotransmitters flowing and your body healthy.  Sugar and processed foods not only lead to physical disease; they also play a role in depression, lack of energy, and poor mood.

Reduce or Eliminate News Watching

Studies have found that consuming too much mass media news can cause feelings of sadness, anger, hostility, frustration, and depression.  

Alternatively, seek out positive news like at dailygood.org.

Reduce or Eliminate Social Media

Numerous studies have shown positive benefits on mood, health, and well being when social media time is reduced.  (You Asked: Is Social Media Making Me Miserable?)

Make Progress

Make progress, even if just an itsy-bitsy amount, on your goals and yourself every day.

Stop Comparing to Others

Comparisons are bogus in most instances.  More often than not we are comparing apples to orangutans let alone apples to oranges and definitely not apples to apples.

Besides, what good is the comparison anyway?  Comparing doesn't change anything, it doesn't solve any problems.  All comparing do is make one person feel superior at the expense of another.

If you are going to compare, then compare yourself to your previous or future self.

Stop Being "Right" All the Time

Trust me, I know.  Being right all of the time is exhausting and utterly frustrating.  Just stop.

Stop Arguing

Arguing fills our body and brain with nasty chemicals and thoughts.  When you feel an argument brewing, have an out strategy at the ready.  Take 100 belly breaths, go for a walk, do ten push-ups, put a pencil in your mouth to force a smile, etc.

Stop Complaining

Seriously, it is not doing you any good, nobody else wants to hear it (even though they act as they do), and it is only digging you into a deeper hole.  Be a solution finder instead. (Read: The No Complaining Rule)

Try these and you are sure to see an instant change in your life.