Happiness Blog

Most of us have heard the saying, “Money can’t buy happiness.” While we are not here to debunk that, we want to encourage you to look at the saying in a slightly different way. For example, imagine having your eye on a particular item that you acknowledge every time you go to the mall. After saving up, you can finally purchase it and can call it your own. Feels good doesn’t it? Or sometimes it just feels good to treat yourself to a little something on a quick trip to the mall to brighten up your week.

Endorphins, the brain's "feel good" chemical, are peptide hormones that interact with receptors resulting in feeling focused and putting you in an overall better mood. While we regularly release endorphins in response to things like stress or pain, we can elicit production in other ways. While there are multiple options, here are a few for you to try:

• Exercise
• Eat chocolate
• Eat something spicy
• Smell lavender or vanilla
• Listen to music
• Seek out daily laughter

Some may have been deterred from reading this post based on the title alone. Social media is a big part of the lives of many and part of their daily routine. For example, some may start scrolling through their Instagram feed while waiting in line at Starbucks for their order or while brushing their teeth every morning. Often, we get sucked into the world of Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, etc. In those moments we fail to recognize missed opportunities, such as connecting with others in-person. Instead we become wrapped up in comparing ourselves to others or become consumed with the feeling of being left out. This week we are not asking you to delete all social media accounts, rather challenging you to identify your social media usage pattern and replacing social media time with something different (e.g., observing your surroundings, calling a loved one, or reading a book).

Ever find it difficult to think of something you are happy about after a particularly hard day or even week? We have all been there at some point. Rather than putting yourself on the spot and racking your brain for one thing that bring you happiness, make it a challenge for this week to come up with a few things. Barbara Ann Kipfer wrote a book called “14,000 Things to Be Happy About.” If she was able to come up with 14,000 things, listing just a few for yourself this week won’t be too much of a stretch. My list for this week includes: coffee, cookie dough ice cream, and hoodies. Now it’s your turn—what are you happy about this week?

“Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” is a well-known phrase in the United States Declaration of Independence. So how do you plan to pursue happiness this Fourth of July? There are many ways to celebrate this day whether it is a day at the beach, fun with fireworks, hosting a neighborhood barbecue, or taking the day off from work to unwind in the comfort of your home. The possibilities are endless!

Swing, ballet, salsa, tap, tango, and modern are just some styles of dance. For some, joining a dance class is ideal, while some of us with two left feet would prefer twirling and swaying around the house when no one is watching. Regardless of what option you choose, you can still reap the benefits of losing weight, staying flexible, reducing stress, starting a new hobby, connecting with others, and more!

Take a moment to recall the last time you did something silly for no apparent reason. What did that feel like? As we get older, life sweeps us up into responsibilities and obligations, which inevitably impacts our mood. We challenge you this week to break the monotony and do something silly and out of the ordinary. Here are some ideas:

• Have breakfast for dinner
• Build a fort with sheets and blankets
• Sing at the top of your lungs
• Jump in puddles
• Write a song
• Jump on a trampoline
• Dance around the house

Often times we may make decisions and lead our lives based on what we are told to do or what we believe we are expected to do. While there is nothing wrong with allowing others to help us or influence us in positive ways, we may find ourselves feeling as though something is missing. This often occurs when we are not living a life congruent to our values. Values are things that are near and dear to us that are not necessarily influenced by factors such as, societal expectations, morals, religious beliefs, etc. Rather, values are desired qualities of ongoing action and they help us make life decisions, such as what job to pursue, when to start a family, or whether you should go back to school. For instance, if you are someone who values knowledge, going back to school may seem like the right choice for you. Take a moment today and ask yourself, “What do I want my life to be about? What do I want to stand for?” Once you identify your values, take it a step further and brainstorm ideas of how you can engage in actions that are congruent to those values. Here are some examples of values:

• Knowledge
• Adventure
• Caring
• Loving
• Contribution
• Creativity
• Family
• Health
• Leisure

Keep in mind— values are not goals. They are a way of living and when we live a life congruent to our values, we feel fulfilled!