Well, 9 ways to be happy according to Real Simple magazine.
I read the January issue while working out last week and liked these “ways.”
I was thinking of stretching these 9 ways out in several blogs…but that is just not nice to the person who really wants the answer to biggest question in life, “What will make me happy?”
Here’s to your happiness!
1. CHILL OUT: Literally, cold weather can improve your mood. And of course, the relaxing sense of the words “chill out” is a good idea too. Although people in winter wonderlands, like myself, may be done with the cold now…but I tell you a day doing an activity outside on a cold day does make me feel refreshed!
2. REMEMBER WHENCE YOU CAME: I agree…just last week I went in search of photos of myself of the 80′s and had such a great time. Now my husband is knee-deep in his old photos. Think about the things you like from your past. Since I did not change my name when I got married, a lot of very old friends find me easy enough on Facebook. I tell you, people who I did not know well or felt were more popular than me have found me and asked me to be friends. Now, that feels good!
3. DON’T DWELL: Let it go and do not mull over negative things from your past or failures from days gone by. Life is about making mistakes and learning from them. Alexander Pope once said, “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” So, my take on that to make mistakes is just being a perfect human, and to forgive yourself makes you that much better!
4. SPREAD THE WEALTH: Give, give, give. If you do not have money to give, volunteer your time. You not only help others, you help yourself by feeling good about doing good!
5. Eat A SNACK EVERYDAY AT 2:00PM: A healthy snack would be much better than a candy bar. An apple a day at 2pm keeps the dulls away!
6. GET A MOVE ON: Do some kind of cardio exercise for 30 minutes at least 3 days a week. You all know why this is good for your health, but it is also good for your mental health!
7. LIMIT YOUR OPTIONS: Too many options can be very overwhelming. Whether you are decided about where to go to dinner or where to save your money for retirement, limiting the choices will make the decision so much easier to make. My husband has been bugging me to invest some money and the world of invest has overwhelmed me for so long, I have not done anything with that money for 3 years now. But after asking someone for advice, and oddly enough, after seeing an article in the same Real Simple Magazine about Index Funds…that is where I am going to limit my research. I now feel I can do it!
8. START A HOBBY/JOIN A CLUB: Find something that occupies 100% of your time while you are doing it. And if you join a club that does the same hobby is tons better – whether in person or online. Doing something that takes you away, but also brings you together with like-minded people is the key!
AND…
9. MAKE YOUR BED: Complete at least one “everyday” task a day, and the more the better. Even if you did not write that novel you have been thinking about, at least you did the dishes! I learned this years ago from a friend that at the time was the mother of 3 young girls. She said, “If I at least make the beds every day, I feel good.”
NOW GO BE HAPPY…LIKE THESE GUYS WERE AFTER FINISHING THEIR RECYCLE-BOT!
