Written by SM Team
May 9, 2023
Feeling a bit blah? Hack your way to happiness with immediate lifestyle changes for a huge impact on your happiness and wellbeing. Here’s to a happier you!
The only thing that will make you happy is being happy with who you are
1. Exercise
Take care of your body and produce happiness endorphins with consistent exercise. Any physical activity counts – running, yoga, dancing. – as long as you break a sweat. Even a brisk 20 to 30-minute walk helps. Just get your body moving.
2. Get outside
Head outside and soak up the fresh air. Step into the sunshine for 30 minutes of sunlight to lighten your mood naturally.
3. Connect with a pet or a friend
Connections matter. Being connected to others is important for our mental and physical wellbeing and can be a protective factor against anxiety and depression. Strong ties with family, friends, the community – even our pets – offer happiness, security, support and a sense of purpose. Spending quality time with others helps us feel more connected and supported.
Create time to connect with loved ones. Schedule a date night or catch-up session with someone special – even if it’s just over a cup of tea or coffee online. Set aside a specific time to catch up with family or friends – and make it a priority to stay connected regularly. Feeling down and just need a quick pick-me-up? Our pets and their unconditional love are wonderful to brightening our mood.
4. Volunteer your time
Giving your time for a good cause that you’re passionate about brings meaning and purpose to your life, while increasing your self-esteem and wellbeing. Giving back to the community helps you feel more fulfilled and connected to others. Volunteering also relieves stress and alleviate depression while having a positive impact on your community.
5. Listen to music
Music is a natural mood-booster, releasing the feel-good chemical dopamine into your system. Music can be evocative, taking you back to a great time and place. Pop on the tunes and immediately feel the beat bring you back.
6. Eat chocolate
We need every excuse to eat chocolate but chocolate makes us happier. Containing tryptophan, chocolate boosts the production of serotonin in the brain to boost our sense of wellbeing and happiness. There are other foods containing tryptophan too – such as chicken and eggs.
7. Smell oranges
Citrus scents – such as orange, lemon, and grapefruit – produce positive chemical reactions in your brain while also easing stress. Feel uplifted with a few drops of citrus essential oil on your pressure points or in your diffuser – or simply smelling a fresh lemon or orange.
8. Eat chocolate
We need every excuse to eat chocolate but chocolate makes us happier. Containing tryptophan, chocolate boosts the production of serotonin in the brain to boost our sense of wellbeing and happiness. There are other foods containing tryptophan too – such as chicken and eggs.
9. Be mindful: journal
Connect with yourself through journaling or mindfulness practices such as prayer or meditation. Dedicate a few minutes each day to reflect on your thoughts and emotions to feel grounded and centred.
10. Make every second count
Live in the moment and make every second count. Enjoying the little things makes life special. When you practice being present, you build good habits for your future wellbeing. This decreases stress and builds resilience to avoid abrupt changes in your mood while allowing you to have more control over your thoughts.
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Maybe it’s not about being happy. Maybe it’s about the story
As easy as it is to feel down, we can find instant pick-me-ups to get back up on our feet, dust ourselves off and get moving again. It’s ok to have down days. But staying still is not healthy: we deserve happiness. And that means moving – even if it’s sideways. Just keep moving. Because you deserve happiness.
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