Its so easy to spend a lifetime chasing the dream, that we so often miss the happiness that can be right in front of us! Here are 5 easy ways to bring that happiness into your life and truly live in Joy!
1. Self Care
It’s really hard to find true happiness if you tend to overlook the one person that’s supposed to be happy – you! It doesn’t have to be big spa days and hours spent clocking in at the gym, (although if that’s what makes you happy!) I’m talking about a little self preservation, a little me time to reflect and ground yourself.
I find that this changes as my life goes through different stages. When my girls were little and my hubby was working away it was the shower for me – I got to take a little extra time in the shower and be able to breath. As they were a bit older I started getting up an hour earlier then the rest of the house. I love reading, sitting down with a cup of coffee snuggled into the couch or outside on the porch swing.
I still like my longish showers but getting up with a babe during the night has nicked any chance of me getting up an hour early (this mama needs all the sleep she can get). So maybe it’s the getting in the odd nap during the day, a coffee date with a friend or getting outside to breath the fresh air!
2. Smiling
So I remember hearing this all the time in college, “people can always hear when you are smiling”. So true! I tell my girls this all the time when they’re frustrated with each other and not always speaking nicely. They didn’t believe me (go figure, I know nothing!) So I get them to try it, ‘Tell me what you are going to say. Good. Now I want you to say the same thing but this time I want you to smile!’ Okay, so it takes a few times to actually get a smile when they’re grouchy but we do – and what a difference it makes!! Not only does it make the person smiling feel better but it also spreads happiness to those around, people that can both see you and HEAR you!
3. Gratitude
This is a big one, like a really big one. The simple act of actually being grateful for things goes such a long way! So there was this ‘thing‘ that I was always resentful of, like every time I saw it I would be uneasy and irritable. Not fun. For me or anyone around me. So I decided that it was time for a change. This thing was a part of my life and was not going anywhere – so every time I came across it I said a little prayer “God thank you for . . . . and I struggled with those words for a while, but over time they got easier to say and then one day, I actually even meant them!
It’s amazing at how being thankful for something has the ability to change your whole outlook on a situation. Try it, even when you are feeling ungrateful for something, say a thank you – and practice a grateful heart.
4. Laugh at Yourself
Laugh at yourself. Every single time. Choose laughter, choose joy. Sure, life throws us a million little (or big) frustrations every single day. When you can learn to let go of the ‘perfects’ and ‘should have beens’ and laugh a little I can guarantee you this is when happiness happens. Not always easy, I get that, I’ve been frustrated, annoyed & embarrassed daily, we’re all human. When we strew about it and let it get to us, we tend to react negatively, letting it build until we are so overwhelmed that sometimes it’s hard to see straight. Take a moment, breathe (that’s a huge step!) and choose joy. If we can learn to laugh at ourselves, not to hide emotions, but to really let go, we will be able to find a little bit of humor in difficult situations, we win. Every. Single. Time.
5. Be Present
This is a big one. Sounds simple enough and it really is – but you gotta do it. You gotta follow through. You have to put down that phone. See, it’s simple. We all multi-task, every single day, but I find that when I am multi-tasking on my phone (or computer, whatever it is) and my kid is telling me some random story about their day that probably doesn’t have a point, let me assure you that in a years time I may not remember that story (either way) but I will remember that I took the time to listen to them. To hear them out on something that was important to them at the time. Whatever is on my phone won’t matter in a year, much less probably even in a months or weeks time. So take the time, whatever your doing, multi-task less, focus on what your doing and give it your all. I promise that you’ll soak up more of the stuff that matters!
There you go, five simple really easy tasks to bring a little more happiness into your everyday. I just love that the company that I represent has a tag line of “creating happiness naturally” How can you not love that?! So is it any wonder that they have an entire line up of products around that? Check out our Happy Day’s Line up, an essential oil blend of bright and sunny orange, lemon, and bergamot. Available in a pure concentrated blend, a spray & a roll-on. They even have a Happiness bath bomb to soak away your troubles and leave you with a lighter mood; made with rose, sweet orange and frankincense!
Leave me a comment and let me know some of your favorite tips for inducing everyday happiness!
