Everyone wants to have a bite of that piece of delicious cake called HAPPINESS. And it seems like many of us often find ourselves in a hurry to do that. We live in a global world that is moving at an enormous speed. We eat fast, sleep fast, love fast…breathe fast.
Do you feel caught in the same difficulty? What if I tell you that there are things which can make you happy right now? Yes, the same moment you’re reading this. They are not just some boring things which you won’t like to spend your time on, these are fun; Moreover, they are scientifically proved.
I want to share some of them with all of you. Here is how you can increase your joie de vivre. Let these 8 small but important things enter your everyday life.
1. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH FLOWERS.
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of flowers? Positivity. Natural beauty. Happiness. Sharing. Gratitude. Loving atmosphere.
Jeannette Haviland-Jones, a researcher, showed that flowers have many positive effects on our well-being: they boost our mood, make a better connection with other people. Flowers provoke a smile.
Give someone a flower. Bring them in your home. Always be happy when you receive them.
2. GET A MASSAGE.
There’s nothing more relaxing than getting a massage. You feel like over the moon and everything seems to fall into its place.
According to Paul Zak, director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies, we get happy after a touch; our brain produces the love hormone called oxytocin and all this happens instantly.
Get yourself a massage. You can also learn the art of self-massage.
3. PLAY THAT UPBEAT SONG.
What can boost a mood better than music? A group of researchers at the University of Missouri have found a song that can make you happy right now: it’s about “Don’t stop me now” by Queen.
However, I am sure everybody has their own song-the one that makes you feel like the happiest person in the world. So, go on, play some music.
Enjoy its power. Sing. Lose yourself dancing.
4. SWITCH YOUR CELL PHONE OFF.
Based on a recent research, Americans teens’ high level of happiness and life-satisfaction decreased in 2012. Why does this happen? It happens because of the use of smartphones. “By 2012, half of Americans (and roughly 37% of teens) owned one. By 2016, 77% of all Americans carried an iPhone or something like it, including at least 73% of teens”.
So, next time when you are out on a dinner and have a conversation with someone, make sure your mobile device is switched off. Enjoy the present moment without any other distractions.
5. YELLOW, YELLOW, YELLOW.
A color of hope, enlightenment, happiness, optimism…warmth. Eiseman, a color specialist and executive director of the Pantone Color Institute connects yellow color with a positive mood. Moreover, yellow can help depression which shows up in Autumn and Winter.
Add yellow to your life. Buy something yellow. Paint the walls in yellow color. Get out, get some sunlight.
6. GET SOME REST.
Resting is of a great importance. We simply cannot function well without it. It’s scientifically approved that sleep boosts our mood and brings us positive emotions. Some researchers have discovered that 7 hours and 6 minutes sleeping can make people feel very happy.
So, don’t hesitate to take a nap. Dive into your mysterious dreams. Feel the magic of a good night’s sleep.
7. EXERCISE.
There is a great link between exercise and happiness. According to some researchers from the Penn State University, compared to less physically active people, physically active people are more enthusiastic, creative, relieved from stress, full of life; therefore, they are happier. Even if it’s for 15 minutes daily, you will feel its benefits.
Ride a bicycle. Walk in a forest. Do some planks. Play football. Go do some exercise!
8. SMILE.
It improves your mood, it brings good vibes and pleasure, it makes you feel happy. According to Dr. Isha Gupta, a neurologist, the simple act of smiling releases high doses of serotonin and dopamine. Dopamine increases happiness and serotonin reduces stress. In this way, not only smiling improves your mood and tricks your brain into happiness, it boosts your health too.
Hang out with someone who smiles a lot, spend time with your pet, practice smiling even when everything goes wrong. What can be more powerful than a simple smile?
😊
As it is said, little things bring the difference and make life wonderful.
Why not enjoy them?
Image: Graeme Heckels
Sandy White is a creative writer with a vivid imagination. The power of curiosity leads her to explore people’s inner world which is portrayed in her articles.
