Archive for: Our Happiness Blog

As we are deep into the holiday season, nothing feels better than a warm cup of hot cocoa. Along with tasting incredibly delicious, it is an excellent mood booster! When you eat chocolate, your brain releases feel-good chemicals, including serotonin and endorphins, making you happy and content. High-quality dark chocolate is also high in antioxidants, meaning there are also health benefits to eating chocolate. Here are some chocolate recipes to brighten your day:

1. Homemade Hot Cocoa
2. Chocolate Covered Strawberries
3. Chocolate Peppermint Bark
4. Homemade Brownies
5. Chocolate Chip Cookies

Indulging in this decadent treat will not only make your tastebuds happy but is scientifically proven to make eat yourself to some chocolate this holiday season!  

Along with being a leisurely pastime, reading has many therapeutic benefits: stress reduction, improved empathy, improved sleep, and cognitive stimulation. Here are some feel-good book recommendations: 

1. “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett
2. “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens
3. “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
4. “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert
5. “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin

These books cover many topics, but all share a theme of motivation and inspiration. Reading can be a great tool in your therapeutic journey. So, next time you want a fun activity, pick up a book!

1. Vibrant Colors: Color psychology can really affect your mood. Vibrant greens, blues, and yellows can be both calming and uplifting. 
2. Plants: Bringing nature into your home can really improve your mood. We all know that going out and seeing nature is good for our mental and physical health, so why not bring it inside!
3. Pictures: Putting photos around your home of loved ones and good memories can bring a really positive, personal touch to your home!
4. Organize: Organization is a great way to reduce stress and make you feel on track and in control. It also will make your space look better in general!
5. Aromatherapy: Incorporating various aromatherapy (candles or essential oils) can both give a lovely aesthetic to your home and use smell to improve your mood.
6. Personal Sanctuary: Dedicate a part of your home to be “your area.” In this space, you can put books, records, yoga materials, or whatever activity makes you feel rejuvenated. 

Try incorporating these decorating tips into your home to make your space a place of happiness and positivity!

Sometimes it feels very easy to brush something off for a later date. We may try to avoid boredom or stress by navigating around a project, task, or assignment, only to be hit by the boredom and stress even more when we realize we have to get it done, now with limited time. This pesky procrastination can be more dangerous to our mental health than we really think, however. Procrastination has been linked to higher stress, lower life satisfaction, symptoms of depression and anxiety, lack of persistence, and negative self-evaluation. To avoid procrastination, try to reward yourself for starting on a task while periodically taking breaks. Break the mindset that it will be a hard task or be boring, and instead embrace challenges. While we are productive and getting things done, we may start to feel a little happier about ourselves and the tasks we are working on! So, avoid procrastination and find happiness in productivity! 

Breathe in…breathe out! Sometimes we tend to move too fast. We may feel that we are always on the move or have to complete something every second of the day. This can get in the way of us recognizing that we need to stop and take a break. Even just sitting down to control our breathing, making sure to focus on the ins and outs of air from our lungs, can promote relaxation, reduce stress, and overall allow us to regain a positive state our busy lives seem to take us away from. Research has shown that practicing healthy breathing techniques are associated with comfort, an overall sense of relaxation, and increases in pleasantness. Furthermore, these breathing techniques have been associated with reducing anger, anxiety, and overall arousal, creating a sense of calmness and positive affect within us. Sure, yoga or meditation may be a great way to practice breathing techniques, but even just stopping every once in a while to focus on our breathing patterns can calm us down and promote a healthy headspace to move forward with our day!

Acute stress, or short-term stress, is common. It is hard not to feel anxious when we try to navigate our busy lives with responsibilities that, at times, may feel like too much! Acute stress, though, can be detrimental to our overall mood; it can decrease emotional regulation which can bring forth negative emotions, and if built up, can lead to undesired mental conditions such as anxiety and depression. Research suggests, however, that through reminiscing over positive memories of joyful experiences we have had in our lives, we can alleviate some of this acute stress and regain our positive attitudes! In one study where participants were induced with stress, they found that those who recalled positive memories and experiences they have had, had lowered levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and lower reports of negative moods. Keeping these findings in mind, next time you are experiencing a stretch of stress in your life, try to sit back, relax, and reminisce over fond memories you have of when you were the happiest. You may find this will help alleviate the worry you are feeling, and allow you to regain a positive mood as you tackle your day to day life!

Emotions are normal. We, as humans, experience emotions on a daily basis whether they are positive, such as feelings of joy and happiness, or negative, such as sadness and anxiousness. Regardless of which side the emotion lands on, expressing our emotions is important. This is especially true when it comes to letting emotions out in the form of crying. Crying encompasses a wide variety of emotions from complete joy to complete sadness. Nonetheless, crying is an important mechanism in our lives that has been associated with releases of stress and emotional pain. Inversely, keeping in emotions and not letting yourself cry can lead to physical distress as well as mental health conditions that will only get worse if you continue to bottle up what you are feeling. According to psychological research, emotional crying releases oxytocin and endorphins which promote physical and mental ease. These feel-good chemicals essentially drain out a lot of the emotional pain and stress we may feel. Of course, however, too much of a good thing is bad; if you find yourself crying frequently and often, assess what is causing the emotions and recognize if this is a negative or positive aspect of your life that is impacting you. Nonetheless, if you feel like you need to cry from time to time, let it out! Your body knows what’s best for you, even when it comes to your emotions!

Nostalgia is like a magical time machine that transports us back to the moments that have shaped us. It’s the comforting aroma of your grandmother’s homemade cookies, the sound of a childhood friend’s laughter, or the sight of an old family photograph that tugs at your heartstrings. These moments may be from years or even decades ago, but they have an enduring ability to evoke feelings of joy and contentment.

Research has shown that indulging in nostalgia has several psychological benefits. When we reminisce about happy memories, our brains release feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine, which boost our mood and make us feel happier. Nostalgia also helps us feel more connected to our past, our roots, and the people who have played significant roles in our lives. This sense of continuity can provide a sense of stability and comfort in our hectic present.

In the hustle and bustle of life, don’t forget to take a trip down memory lane every now and then. Nostalgia is a timeless elixir of joy that can infuse your days with happiness, gratitude, and a deeper appreciation for the beautiful tapestry of your life. So, embrace it, cherish it, and let it remind you that happiness is not just about the future but also a journey through the past.

Life often throws curveballs our way, and when times get tough, maintaining a positive outlook can be challenging. Let’s explore some strategies and coping mechanisms that can help you stay positive in difficult times:

1. Gratitude Journaling: Start each day by jotting down a few things you’re grateful for. Focusing on the positive aspects of your life, no matter how small, can shift your perspective and boost your mood.
2. Stay Connected: Reach out to friends and loved ones. Connecting with others, whether through a call, video chat, or even a handwritten letter, can provide a sense of belonging and support.
3. Set Realistic Goals: Break down your challenges into smaller, manageable steps. Achieving these mini-goals provides a sense of accomplishment and empowers you to tackle larger obstacles.
4. Embrace Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you’d offer a friend. Remember, it’s okay to have setbacks; they’re part of the journey.
5. Embrace Resilience: Remember the tough times you’ve overcome in the past. Your resilience is a testament to your strength and adaptability.

In the face of adversity, maintaining a positive outlook isn’t always easy, but it’s certainly worth the effort. By incorporating these strategies into your daily life, you can cultivate a brighter, more optimistic perspective, even when the skies seem gray.