#StressManagement #SelfCare #SelfNurturing #EmotionHygiene #EmotionalHygiene #EmotionalWellbeing #EmotionalWellness #Wellness #Happy #Happiness #HappyList
We've been touching on some heavy topics for the last few articles. I wish I could tap in with each of you to see how you are doing or just to say, "Hey!" When planning what to share with you this week, I figured it was high time I brought you something light. Something a little more interactive. Something that requires an ask of you. But I promise it isn't a big ask.
We turn on the news, we scroll social media and you are bound to find something to be sad about. Or mad about. Every once in a while, though, we find those feel-good stories. The ones that bring on that sideways grin. The ones that makes our hearts feel light and free. The ones that restore hope in humanity and the world around us. I love those kinds of stories. Those stories help me loose the breath I spend much of my time not even realizing that I am holding. Those stories help me have that sigh of relief. Those stories also server a higher purpose for me. They remind me that my happiness is takes work and is no one's responsibility but my own. Then I have to sit back and ask myself: "What have I done for me lately just because it was fun? Just because I need it? Just because I deserve it?" Conspiracy theorist or no, you too have to realize that your emotions are constantly being jerked around and more times than we care to admit, society is doing it intentionally. It is up to you to be intentional, take the reins, and take charge of your happy.
Happiness is something we all seek to find. Yet if you were to poll people in your local community or in your social media reach, you'd find that none of us defines happiness exactly the same. Social scientists have grappled with the definition but many have settled on happiness being an emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment. The thing is no one person identifies the exact same things bringing on those happiness feelings. For some it is family first. For others it is their spiritual belief system. For others it is their careers. For others it is money. Happiness is subjective.
What Makes You Happy?
My health
My money
My friends
My family
If forced to choose what is most important to them or what most improves their subjective well-being and quality of life, people are often stumped. It isn't that simple to choose just one thing as you saw in the above poll. Even more challenging than the what to creating happiness is the how to creating happiness.
We all experience happiness differently and some of us may tend to be more naturally happy. And that's okay. Hope is not lost. There are things that each and every one of us can do to cultivate and grow our sense of happiness and satisfaction with our quality of life. However, it will take a little bit of work and commitment from you to take charge of your happy and your emotional hygiene. I hope this 7-day challenge list will help you get some ideas to start. Will you join in with me?
Day 1: | List the things that you hope will bring you joy this week. |
Day 2: | List everything you feel passionate about. |
Day 3: | List the times when you felt like you made a difference in someone else's life. |
Day 4: | List everything that you think of as a treat for yourself. |
Day 5: | List the things that you are really good at. |
Day 6: | List the things in your life you are actually able to control. |
Day 7: | List every color you can think of and what mood you associate with each color. |
As always, I appreciate your readership and would love to hear from you in the comments below. Let us help keep you accountable by challenging you to return each day and respond in the comment section the things that made your happy list. Remember that happiness is a subjective experience, and what works for one person may not work for another. The key is to experiment with different activities to discover what truly brings you happiness and a sense of wellness and well-being; but just like with personal hygiene, emotional hygiene is a daily practice. And please remember that wherever you are on this wellness journey, do not worry about getting it perfect; just get it going. Until next time. Happy reading!
There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them." ~Sylvia Plath
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