12 Jan If you’ve made or are thinking of making some New Years Resolutions, include these 5 life changers!
By definition, New Years Resolutions should change your life.
If they don't, then there'll really be no "new"!
So if you want to make some REAL changes for more health, happiness and success in 2015, give some serious thought to these 5 recommended by Shane Robinson of Forbes…
We all likely have many more than five goals we’d like to accomplish this year, but in keeping with the lean mentality, I’ll keep things simple and give you just five, which, if done mindfully can have dramatic ripple effects on your health, happiness and professional success—and perhaps all the other goals you’ve set for yourself.
1: Smile more. It is well known among social psychologists now that the simple act of smiling can make you happier and healthier, even if your smile is a forced one—so practice more in 2015! This effect apparently happens for two main reasons. According to the facial feedback hypothesis, smiling activates the release of dopamine, endorphins and serotonin, neurotransmitters that help reduce stress and elicit positive emotions. In other words, while your brain usually controls your muscles, your muscles (i.e., smiling!) can actually influence your brain. In essence, the brain senses the flexion of our facial muscles and, concluding that we must be happy about something, starts to make us feel happier.
Smiling works for another more obvious reason—it is contagious, literally. According to a Swedish study, when people are exposed to emotional facial expressions, they tend to unconsciously mimic those expressions, positive or negative, which as just discussed may influence their emotions. The key takeaway: when you smile, you may appear more inviting, attractive, relaxed and sincere to others. And when you don’t smile, the impression you give may be the opposite. (For other great tips on how changing your body language can have a profound impact on your life, check out Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk.)
2: Maintain a health and fitness regimen. The health impacts of regular physical exercise are widely known (and very important to your success as a leader). But, in addition to reducing stress, fighting disease and improving mood, energy and sleep, getting regular exercise and eating healthier can also make you appear to be a better leader. In fact, according to Harvard Business Review, healthy-looking individuals are perceived as better leaders than even intelligent-looking people…
…keep reading the full & original article HERE