Ways to be happier right away....

Today's Post:  Tuesday, 7-30-2013

You can lift feeling bad by doing just a few minutes of a vigorous exercise.  To do it that vigorously you have to focus on doing it which shuts down thinking about feeling bad while you do it.  And then doing it sharply increases your blood flow and endorphins which also helps.

And, if you have been low on getting enough omega 3 oils, eating some wild caught fish high in omega 3 oils or taking omega 3 supplements, particularly DHA, your mood will be better after doing so a few days –sometimes even that same day.

But that still leaves a need to feel happier right away sometimes.

Recently I got lucky and read a presentation on 8 ways to feel happier right away. 

Separate research found that for some people doing things on that list every day has changed their whole lives for the better.

See http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/02/checklist-8-day-happier/ for the original.

1.  The 8 had several on being nice to people or connecting to them in a positive way. 

a) Thank someone “First thing in the morning, send an email thanking or praising someone.” 

b) Spend money — on someone else

c) Give 5 hugs    Giving even one will help; and this can be giving one to someone who needs it or hugging someone who is OK with it when YOU need one.

d) Do 5 little nice things for others

“…. complete five acts of kindness over the course of a day”.  Besides what just happens that causes you to do this, deliberately add a few extra ones.

f) Spend time with friends 

And it added: 

2.  Do things you do really well. Deliberately plan some time each day to do things you do really well.  You not only will feel better, often you’ll be more effective at work and outside work with the leverage that gives you!

 3.  List things to do later you like and enjoy.

THIS one is astoundingly powerful.  It can be something little to do later today.  It can be something to do on an evening or weekend.  Or it can be six months off yet.

It can take as little as a few minutes to do yet you get to feel better NOW. And you can get that good feeling back in a few seconds any time you think of it until you get to enjoy it.

This is one of the most effective on the list AND can be done really fast when you need it!

4.  Remember the good things that happened each day -- even on mostly bad days!"  They found it’s doable to list at least 3.  And, it really helps!

It focuses you on real things that DID go well.  They were already there.  But noticing them and focusing on them, makes you feel a LOT better.