Happiness Blog

Last week, you focused on doing something you love that would energize you. This week show your partner or a close friend some love by engaging in an activity they love to do. The healthiest relationships (romantic or non-romantic) are ones where people can authentically be themselves. Truly engaging an activity that a partner or friend enjoys, without judgment and with an open heart speaks volumes. No matter what you do this week, make sure you to carve out quality time for people in life that mean the most to you!

February represents the month of love. Whether you are in a relationship or single, show love to yourself by engaging in fun activities that allow you to pamper yourself: treat yourself to your favorite restaurant, travel, go to the spa or get a massage, read in the sunshine, cook for yourself, go out dancing or join a dance class, and/or explore the outdoors. Showing yourself love will make you a happier and healthier you!

Self-care has become a popular term as of late, and what exactly does self-care mean? Self-care is any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotional and physical health. Self-care reduces the feelings of stress, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed or depression. A lot of us have busy lives and may have little time, but your happiness and wellbeing are important, and consequently, you need to create time for you. Create a schedule where you intentionally make time for you to gain some peace and recharge. Remember, everyone has their own ways of recharging and self-care does not subscribe to certain activities. Self-care can include socializing with friends, treating yourself to dinner, taking a yoga or dance class, meditating, watching your favorite tv show, go camping, or going to an amusement park. We often get busy with life, work, taking care children, that we sometimes can forget us. If you are a parent self-care can include receiving external support so you can take care of you. It becomes quite difficult to give 100% to external situations when we are not taking care of self and we are actually more efficient in our many roles when we focus on ourselves from time to time.  Now is time to start thinking about you again and balancing your life. Know your limits, do not take on more than you can handle, and remember to create time to engage in activities that increase happiness and peace. 

Typically, once the Holidays end, you say to yourself: “I’m broke,” or ask, “where did all my money go?” or even make a New Year’s resolution to be financially fiscal. Immediately following the Holidays, you may feel like you cannot go out and do anything that requires spending money. However, you can engage in numerous activities spending minimum money or no money at all. You can go to a museum, go see a movie at the $2 movie theater, go to the Artspace, American tobacco trail, poetry slams, or go Eno River State Park where you can enjoy camping or hiking for free. As you are balancing your funds and saving your money, put some money aside just for socializing.

The Holidays are usually the time when we are around family, busy buying gifts, cooking, and having a lot of fun with those around us. Once the Holidays are over, life seems to settle down and the excitement and busyness are no longer present. Just because the Holidays are over does not mean you cannot have that same happy feeling! Have you ever thought about creating your own Holiday experience even when it is not an actual Holiday? Plan a weekend, where you can go on a mini vacation with a significant other, or with family members or friends. Plan a time where you cook, play games and interact with friends and family. Your Holidays do not have to stop after the holiday season. Enjoy creating spaces of fun and spending time with people that matter to you during your self made Holidays!

With the holiday season coming to an end, it may feel as though there are few things to look forward to. Here are some things to celebrate this month that are more often than not
overlooked:
January 4 th – National Spaghetti Day
January 8 th – National Bubble Bath Day
January 11 th – National Step in the Puddle and Splash Your Friends Day
January 14 th – National Dress Up Your Pet Day
January 19 th – National Popcorn Day
January 25 th – National Opposite Day
January 27 th – National Chocolate Day
January 29 th – National Puzzle Day