Happiness is something that humans strive for throughout life. When we are not happy, it can cause bitterness, anger, and negative emotions that affect us and the ones we love. In the United States, only 14% of adults say that they are very happy. That statistic is extremely alarming. The facts tell us that people are struggling to find happiness and that can lead to negative outcomes. Here are some tips that can help increase one’s happiness.
December 27, 2020
By: Darius Malbon
1. Smile
Have you ever felt sad? Try cracking a smile and see what happens. When we smile, it does wonders. Some of it is psychological and makes us feel better the more we smile. Part of it is that we release dopamine when we smile. This chemical can make us happier. I wouldn’t suggest smile all day unless you really want to; however, be joyful and try to find different reasons to smile and see how much better your day tends to be.
Reflection 1: Smiling can increase happiness through psychological and chemical factors.
2. Exercise
Exercise can benefit us. It doesn’t just help your body, but it also can reduce anxiety, stress, and even depression. Exercise can take your mind off of many negative situations as well which can boost self-esteem and happiness. The key is not to overexert yourself, but one needs to get in a routine that they can execute. If you overexert yourself, often times you will end up getting frustrated.
Some starters:
Stretch for 10 minutes a day
Go on a short walk or jog in your neighborhood
Take a beginner class
Reflection 2: Exercise is a great way to tackle two things at one time. You can boost yourself esteem along with getting your body in shape.
3. Get Rest
You may hear many things about sleep. However, we all essentially need it for brain function, good health, and emotional well-being. Adequate sleep entails 7-8 hours asleep. When a person gets adequate sleep, it boosts many aspects of his or her life.
A few tips on improving your sleep routine:
Make sure you invest in a good mattress
Settle down and get into a quiet place one hour before you go to bed
Write down how many hours of sleep you attained and how rested you feel each morning
Reflection 3: Sleep is a necessity for humans and can allow us to view life more positively.
4. Journaling
Journaling is a good way to organize your thoughts, analyze your feelings, and plan your life. Are you having trouble figuring out your purpose? Journal every day and see if you start to find yourself more each day. When you journal, you are able to be free and express yourself. Many people struggle throughout life because they never actually find themselves or express themselves. Once you find yourself and find purpose, life can brighten for you because you find out what’s truly important in your life. You don’t have to be a genius to write. One can just jot things down if they like. If you feel nervous about writing, you can always shred your entries afterward.
Reflection 4: Journaling is a great way to express yourself and finding what matters to you.
5. Take Deep Breaths
Think about all those times you are tight and stressed about something. What do your instincts tell you to do? Breathe deeply. Your instincts are right. When you take deep breaths, it can release stress from your body and make you feel much better. Also, it can allow you to focus on the present and not on the millions of things that are going on through your mind.
Here are some tips:
Close your eyes and try to focus on a happy place or memory
Take a slow, deep breath through your nose
Slowly breathe out your mouth or nose
Repeat until you are calm
Reflection 5: Taking deep breaths can calm your mind and allow you to focus on the positive.
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Disclaimer: I am not a therapist nor professional in this area. If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.8255 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.
Contact Info:
Website: www.dariusmalbon.com
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Sources:
Associated Press, “Americans are the unhappiest they’ve been in 50 years, poll finds” NBC News, June 16, 2020, accessed December 24, 2020 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/americans-are-unhappiest-they-ve-been-50-years-poll-finds-n1231153
