Would you describe yourself as happy? Do you know the formula for happiness? Let’s explore some habits that can make you more joyous. Deciding to be satisfied may not be an uncomplicated, serene process for some of us.
You may be attached to the idea of being happy, but actually being so may trigger fear and anxiety. You may tend toward worry instead of joy, due to the fact that being content may seem like quite a risk.
Was someone in your childhood sad? Perhaps you identified with them greatly and have become overly cautious about contentment and cheerfulness. If someone is jealous of you, you may downplay your own achievements and hide your fulfillment in life. Don’t look at them as haters. Look at them as fans in denial.
Who are your role models for being happy? Does he interpret the future calmly? When you are on vacation or surrounded by loved ones, do you tend to still get anxious? You may have become stuck in fear mode even when there is no cause for panic at all. I know, you thought growing up would solve all your problems. Turns out, it just gave your more expensive ones.
Please do not sabotage your good fortune. Do not become a master at being nasty to your own self. Anxiety and worry will not protect you, sweet friends. Exchange your feelings of dread for belief in your own power and resilience. Give yourself and your friends the love we all truly need. They say love is sharing your popcorn even when you don’t want to.
It is a mark of mental health to be defiant enough to really enjoy that ice cream cone, to laugh your head off, or to simply appreciate the flowers in your yard. What is the best sandwich? Ice-cream. Chocolate, vanilla, or swirl? The answer is always yes.
One practice that can lead to your well-being is to label your negative feelings. You may feel angry when in fact you are simply frustrated about something. Once you put your emotions into words, it diminishes emotional reactivity. This may make it seem easier to manage.
If you do not even know what you are feeling, this can become your focus, and you may feel it a lot more than you should. You might need a true friend to help you define your feeling if you are having a hard time figuring out what it truly is. They say friends are like Wi-Fi. You don’t realize how much you need them until they’re gone.
If you feel stuck and are in duality about something, make the decision. If you set goals, you will not remain trapped in fear about the outcome of your decision. Overanalyzing can certainly do more harm than good.
Please express physical affection. Hug your loved ones and even your pet. It will increase your serotonin and dopamine. Let your friends know how much you appreciate them. You know that behind every great friendship is a long list of inside jokes nobody else gets.
Move, move, move. Stay active. Exercise elevates your mood. Set some time aside or stretch right this minute. No need to head to a gym to lift those 50-pound weights. Your body isn’t Amazon Prime. It takes more than two days to get what you want. If you have time for Instagram, you have time for exercise.
Social media use has negative effects on the brain. Put the phone down just for a bit. They say that we live in a world where deleting history has become more important than making it. Heck, I wish I was as smart as my smartphone. Go feel the sun on your skin. A change in scenery helps to ameliorate depression. There is no USB port to connect with nature. And no, falling asleep on the couch with the window opened does not count as camping.
Keep an open mind and heart. Seize opportunities for joy, sweet friends. When something good happens to you, do you start to wonder when something dreadful may strike in revenge? If you have a worried mind, you will destroy all your chances for joyfulness.
Be as reassuring and as kind as possible to your own mind, please. Do not allow negativity to rule over you. How do you treat yourself? Rediscover your virtues and be gentle with yourself. Your very survival may depend on your level of self-compassion. It was once said: Happiness is something that comes into our lives through doors we don’t even remember leaving open.
Caroline is a licensed psychotherapist, crisis counselor, and writer with an office in Queens. She works with individuals, couples, and families. Appointments are available throughout the week and weekends. She can be reached at 917-717-1775 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at facebook.com/pages/Safe-Haven-Healing.
