17 Dec How You Can Have A Happier, More Positive Year!
Another year’s finished.
Another year begins.
For some it’s just another day but for many it’s an opportunity to review, refresh, and to work towards more happiness and positivity …
via Forbes by Nancy F Clark
Here’s what you need to do first: Decide you want to be happier right now. Then you’ll be more receptive to the other things I’m going to tell you. Do it—that was easy, right? You’re off to a good start.
Where Should You Pin This Decision To Be Happier?
Since most of our actions every day are habits on autopilot, let’s add one more. Research by Stanford professor B.J. Fogg shows us that three things must converge to cause a change: motivation, ability and a prompt. My choice of a daily prompt is when I put toothpaste on my toothbrush each morning. I pin my decision to be happier in my head at that time. You can pick a different prompt if you want. To make it business related, how about when you take your first step into your office that day? Or you might choose to do what Christine Carter of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Center says, “After I put my head on the pillow, I will think of one good thing from my day.”
What About Fear?
When a negative thought enters your head, don’t try to suppress it. That’s not good for your body. Instead, acknowledge the thought and quickly decide if this is an alert to protect you. I’ve recently discovered I like country music, and so these Walker Hayes lyrics pop into my mind at those times, “Danger’s real but fear’s a choice.” If I decide it’s a worthless fear, then I peacefully send it on its way. If it’s an alert to a danger, I thank my intuition with a positive pat on the back.
Will You Be Happier Relieving Stress?
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Laughter is a great form of stress relief, and that’s no joke.” Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the happy endorphins that are released by your brain. It also reduces your stress cortisol level. I bet that will make you happier. Now find something to start your laughter…
… keep reading the full & original article HERE