Habits of Happy People- pt 2

Last week, we began the topic of being happy. We discussed the main difference between a happy person and a miserable person- daily habits. Today, were delving into more habits of happy people.

Exercise

We all know the effects that excercise can have on one’s body, but regular exercise can also help to reduce stress, feelings of anxiety, and symptoms of depression, all while boosting self-esteem and happiness.
You don’t have to start big by training for a triathlon…or even joining a gym immediately. You can start small by making simple changes to your weekly routine…such as walking around your neighborhood each afternoon after dinner, parking your car a little further than usual to walk to work, starting your day with 5 minutes of stretching.
Don’t limit excercise to being at the gym. You could join the nearest beginner’s yoga class, or activities you always wanted to try, such as golf, bowling, or dancing. Find activities that you genuinely enjoy doing.
Whichever activity you choose, be sure to not overexert yourself. You could end up frustrated, in pain, and discouraged.

Live in the moment.

No amount of anxiety, stress, or regret can change the past or determine the future. The only thing it will affect is the present. Worrying will only take away the opportunity to experience happiness today.
Happy people understand that it’s impossible to be happy if one’s mind is constantly somewhere else. To live in the moment, you must first accept & make peace with your past. Secondly, you must accept the uncertainty of the future. Often times, people are so focused on what happened and what may happen, that they’re blinded from all of the beautiful things around them… Living in the moment will bring awareness to many things that you barely paid attention to before… simple things that could make you happy.

Giving

Giving can make us feel happy. In a 2006 study, Jorge Moll and colleagues at the National Institutes of Health found that when people give to charities, it activates regions of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection, and trust, creating a “warm glow” effect. Scientists also believe that altruistic behavior releases endorphins in the brain, producing the positive feeling known as the “helper’s high.”
Giving can shift your focus away from what you want & don’t have. Giving can also evoke gratitude.
Regardless of whether you’re on the giving or receiving end, giving can be a way of expressing gratitude or instilling gratitude in the recipient.
Find more ways to give. Volunteer. Be charitable. Find the nearest soup kitchen or homeless shelter.

Every day is another opportunity to be happy. It’s up to us every day to choose what to focus on- the negatives or the positives. Though there are other contributing factors that can affect one’s mood, there’s still a portion of our happiness that is within our control. Take some time to reflect on your daily routines and thought processes. Make conscious steps to make your life happier. Remember. You hold the key to your own happiness

At CWC Coaching, our team consists of licensed therapists, life coaches, and counselors. We assist clients with self-improvement, career development, negative self-talk, psychological pain, self-sabotaging behavior, past hurts and finding your purpose. If you are ready to increase your self-awareness and happiness, breakthrough limiting behavior and understand your purpose in life, we’d love to help guide you on this journey.