Most of us don't have time in our busy every day lives to be searching for what will make us happy across a lifetime. However, most of us have a few minutes of spare time that can best be spent on improving our mental happiness.
Next time you feel stressed or overwhelmed, try a few of these quick tricks that are scientifically proven to boost happiness levels
1. Exercise-
Time and time again across a multitude of clinical trials, exercise is perhaps the best stress relieving and positive hormone releasing activity. Simply walking for 20-30 minutes a day is enough to significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases and improve cognition. Aerobic exercise can improve memory, strengthen neural connections and stimulate your nervous system to function at a higher level.
2. Taking a 20 minute nap during the late afternoon-
Slightly contradicting to exercising, but is extremely rejuvenating for the mind and body if you aren't working in the office during the hours of 1pm-4pm and given that you receive the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
3. Volunteering or helping someone-
it's true that helping others helps you!
4. Reading a good fictional story-
Can be extremely beneficial to calm a racing mind. You'll avoid anticipatory thinking and worries in your own life.
5. Smelling a candle or inscent-
Certain aromas can do everything from reliving headaches, aiding in sleep and experiencing reminiscent feelings.
6. Deep breathing or meditation for 10 minutes-
If this is a foreign concept to you, try the app called Headspace. It's 10 minute sessions of simple breathing and relaxation that can do wonders in short and long term health.
7. Stretching out your muscles-
Feel tense around the shoulders, neck and back can actually provoke feelings of stress, inferiority and limitation.
8. Having a good laugh-
I always recommend that it come from a genuine person and less from online or superficial sources.
9. Avoiding social media/technology-
On an unconscious level, we often compare ourselves to those on our social media feeds. A good challenge is to calculate how much time you spend on social media a day. You may be very surprised by the results.
10. A small indulgence-
Whether it's chocolate, a glass of coffee, a glass of wine or a spoonful of peanut butter, a small indulgence in a favorite food or drink can feel amazing. Just don't overdue it.
11. Spending time in nature or outside-
Exposure to fresh air, natural scenery and natural sunlight are huge mood boosters for both children and adults.
12. Listening to or making music-
Music therapy isn't just for those with musical talent. Scientific studies show that upbeat music with the intent of boosting mood is effective in addressing mental road blocks such as stress and anxiety.
13. Being careful with purchases-
Material purchases may provide short, intense feelings of happiness, but experiential purchases are something to look forward to and provide happiness in the long term. You decide on this one.
And the best for last...
14. "Happiness is a warm puppy" - Charles M. Schulz
Now go our there and get your quick fixes of daily happiness
