Yesterday a few people in my life disappointed me. The more I thought about the situations that had occurred, the more I became upset. By dinnertime my frustration level was high and I found myself feeling disappointed, but also angry. The kids and I had a fun evening planned and I was concerned my mood was going to affect our time together. These negative feelings were invading my thoughts and I risked denying myself of an enjoyable evening.
In my pursuit to be the naked girl in a dress–free, happy, uninhibited–I have worked hard to regain happiness at low points on this journey. I have found ways to work through my feelings to capture happiness once again.
Here are five tips on moving towards happiness:
1. Practice mindfulness. Stop. Be in the moment. How are you feeling and why?
2. Exercise. Run, go for a brisk walk, go for a swim, take an aerobics class, or anything that will get your heart rate up. Regular exercise will stimulate the endorphins in your body.
3. Express your feelings. Keeping feelings inside will make you feel worse. Call a friend to talk about how you are feeling. Write your feelings in a journal. Start a personal blog. Tell the person who upset you how you feel.
4. Count your blessings. By focusing on what you do have and what is positive in your life, you will recognize you are fortunate.
5. Laugh. This may seem like a difficult thing to achieve if you are not happy, but to be able to laugh will lighten your mood. Rent a funny movie. Read humor blogs or books. And, the best advice to add laughter in your life, surround yourself with people who make you laugh. You probably feel happier around these people as well.
Yesterday I worked my way through these five steps. However, I was not completely happy at the beginning of our evening. One of my friends was out with us who always makes me laugh. This friend is also a good listener and listened to me rant a bit. Spending time with our four kids, I realized how blessed I truly am in my life; while some people disappoint, the 5 people surrounding me last night are consistently a source of joy in my life. Last night I was blessed to spend time with wonderful people.
This was progress for me. I was able to acknowledge how I was feeling and allow myself the opportunity to process these feelings. Then, in my pursuit of happiness, I worked towards letting the negative feelings go so that I could enjoy the rest of my day.
Mission accomplished.
Comments
18 responses to “5 Tips for Being Happy”
Wonderful tips, and you are right on. I have practiced those very tips for the majority of my life and have managed to live, for the most part, very happy. My life is, and has been, far from what most people would consider to be great, but looking at the better side of it all, laughing, and speaking my mind have probably been the biggest factors in actually being able to enjoy my life.
Thanks again for sharing.
Frank
Frank~
Yes, no matter what we face in life, we still have the ability to be happy.
Thanks for sharing this! Totally words I needed to read today!
Jamee~
I am so happy to know the post made a difference for you today. Best of luck in getting your happiness back on track.
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There are times when you need to just acknowledge that you are sad, hurt and disappointed. That these feelings are a part of who you are and there is a way for you to still move forward. They make the sweet moments, days, months and years even sweeter !! Continue to be you ….
Thank you Clyde. I am working on accepting whatever feelings come my way and being at peace with where I am emotionally. It does make the good times that much better. I agree!
Thanks for sharing. I am going to print and put away for a time I may need to reference. You are so special and I love you.
I love you too sis!
Way to go! Way to take responsibility for your own emotions and mental health. Doing so, in any form, can make me feel empowered. And that almost always makes me feel a lot better. Feeling like I have some control in my life.
Nice list.
Thank you Miss Robin.
Exercising – something I miss so desperately right now, because you’re so correct – it helped me to survive the darkest times. I’m counting the days until the boys are back in school, and I can get outside to just walk and be.
Of course, the temp dipping below 100 would be awesome. So glad your friend was able to lift you.
Ash~
I am struggling to find the time to exercise too. School is 1 1/2 weeks away for my kids and then I can get on a better routine.
That is a perfect list! Perfect.
Thanks Kristy! It works for me.
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Such great advice! I think I need to work through these steps today. Thanks!
Emily,
I am happy these tips could help you today! I hope it worked.