Like many, I've been feeling a little low on energy and enthusiasm lately. It's no surprise, though, given the combination of events happening around us. As we continue to participate in the self-educating, understanding, and coping, it's important to shed light on what it is that makes us feel good, and I mean truly, feel good. By that, I mean focusing on those things that give the most long-lasting effects, the most long-lasting feelings of peace and contentment.

That is the criteria by which to measure and find the things you love.

A common first instinct when told to practice self-care activities during times of stress is 'Why?', and an ensuing feeling of guilt. To answer this, I ask you to think of someone you're familiar with - you don't have to know them very well - who does things that they really enjoy. If you can think of a few, you might begin to notice that there's a general pattern of happiness, positivity, zeal, and just an overall liveliness to their personalities. Their smiles are infectious and never cease to uplift your mood, and the reason for that is what they do on a day-to-day basis.

This could be anything from:

1. Practicing gratitude
2. Journaling and writing your heart out.
3. Investing in music, art, literature, and films that uplift and inspire YOU
4. Having catch-up calls and virtual spa nights with friends
5. Playing silly games with family
6. Playing sports, hiking, rock climbing, etc.
7. Participating in public service outreach, volunteering, or being a political advocate
8. Playing your favorite games
9. Working with animals
10. Participating in scientific research on a subject of your interest

This list could go on and on with the number of things that could possibly give a person more joy. The goal isn't to have our life be consumed by these things, but rather to build around these things as much as possible so that there is always one thing - albeit a very small thing - that gives you joy. You owe it to yourself to live a life in which you are smiling as much as possible, laughing as much as possible, and exuding as much of that beautiful energy that is already inside of you.