When talking about what you want in life, the word “happiness” often tends to come up. We strive for a happy and fulfilling life with our jobs, friends, and family. But, it’s not that easy to find balance.
Happiness is not just a moment of joy—it’s a catalyst. Happiness sparks positive effects on your physical and mental health. It lowers stress levels and makes your heart healthy. Some studies even show that happiness can prolong our lifespans.
There’s no magic trick, there’s no formula, there isn’t an overnight intervention for happiness. One thing’s for sure though, it starts with you.
Here are five little changes in your lifestyle that will eventually make you happier and healthier.
1. Do 30-minute Relaxations Everyday
Make time to relax and unwind every day after work. Read a book, catch up on your favorite T.V. show, or reflect on positive thoughts. Try winding down 30 minutes before bedtime. Put on a face mask (gents, masks are not only for the ladies!), read a book, and light up some candles. Royal Essence candles have lavender and chamomile scented candles that will calm and relax you in no time.
You can also perform breathing exercises throughout your day, to ease your stress levels by lowering your heart rate, ridding your mind of negativity, and relaxing tense muscles. A simple breathing exercise is a 4-7-8 technique. Start by exhaling through your mouth, then inhaling through your nose with your mouth closed. Count to four as you inhale, then hold your breath for a count of seven. Exhale completely to a count of eight through your mouth. That’s one cycle. If you’re feeling stressed or anything upsetting happens, do four cycles of this
2. Incorporate 10 Active Minutes in Your Day
Exercising is a fantastic way to produce happy hormones in the body. Happy hormones are consist of endorphin, serotonin, and dopamine, which are biochemicals that promote the feeling of happiness. If you think of it, a simple jog can trigger the production of these hormones.
Exercising also lowers down anxiety, help you sleep better at night, reduces stress, and improves your energy levels. When you feel good inside and outside, you generally feel happier.
Ideally, you should have 150 minutes of exercise a week. A simple 30-minute brisk walking or an afternoon of yard work will do. At the very least, incorporate 10 active minutes in your day.
Gym subscriptions are very common but if you have a hectic schedule and find traveling to and from the gym a hassle, then online personal training might be the solution. Ultimate Performance has helped a lot of people in their health and body transformations. They have a personal trainer in Los Angeles and a Sydney personal trainer.
3. Opt for Natural Remedies
We always reach for over-the-counter medicines or supplements more often than we think. Our bodies are unpredictable and can throw us for a loop at any time. Natural home remedies are safe, effective, and are recommended, all-natural way to treat ailments. Ditch your cold medicine for a lemon and honey concoction. Here are some of the best natural home remedies for common ailments.
You can also incorporate natural herbs into your meals for a healthier diet, improved hormonal balance, and better sleep—all these contribute to overall happiness. Replace coffee with herbal green tea to boost energy levels, without the crash. Toss in some basil, garlic, cilantro, or some oregano into your dish to enhance the flavors while healing the body and mind.
4. De-clutter Your Space
Tidy environment, tidy mind. Even your cluttered bag can instantly trigger stress hormones. Having an organized home or workplace can cut down your anxiety levels. Too much clutter can impact your mental health, which in the long run can make your home or desk harder to clean, stressing you out even more.
Purge your home and workplace with unnecessary things. Stop collecting sentimental clutter, get rid of it instead. Cleaning boosts mental health and cuts down feelings of anxiety and stress. Start with your desk, then your room, and gradually take the cleaning and purging throughout your house. Pull-up your garage doors and do a massive garage sale of old clothes, shoes, and other things you don’t use anymore.
5. Stop Checking Your Phone First Thing in The Morning
It’s easy to get lost in technology and forget about the outside world. Sure, technology has fostered a rapid way of communication, but the fallout is addiction, social validation, and loss of human interaction. When you wake up, your mind is like a sponge, ready to absorb anything. Fill it with something positive, like an actual conversation, listening to your jam, reading your favorite book—instead of checking other people’s posts.
By limiting the use of smartphone and social media, you’re actually making yourself happier and more fulfilled. Spend more time with live, personal conversations. Mingle with other people, not virtually, but actual human interaction to create lasting and happier relationships.
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