· By PYM STORE
6 Strategies for Happier Living
If you’ve noticed that your happiness seems to be a lot more fleeting, or if you’re just looking for ways to make your happy life just a little bit happier, welcome! We’re glad you’re here! PYM was created to help everyone live their best life, no matter what your circumstances.
While our Mood Chews can help you on a chemical level, knowing a few strategies for happier living can’t hurt either! Whether you use one of them or combine them all together, you deserve to love your life no matter what.
#1) Celebrate The Small Things
It’s easy to celebrate the big victories, like getting a new job or earning a coveted scholarship. But, to leave a happier life, it’s also important to make sure to celebrate the small things. Life has a way of really surprising you, both positively and negatively. Living on that constant rollercoaster can begin to feel emotional exhausting, especially if you focus on the negative. When you can shift your attention to giving yourself a pat on the back for cleaning out the junk drawer or finishing reading that book you’ve been putting off, it helps you appreciate yourself more.
After all, you know what they say… life is a gift. That’s why they call it the present!
#2) Work On Your Mindfulness
Speaking of the present, one of the best strategies for happier living out there is practicing mindfulness. When you live your life in a mindful way, you’re better able to brush off many of those negative thoughts that can plague you and hold you back.
To work on your mindfulness, make a promise to yourself to sit in quiet meditation at least a few times a week (and celebrate yourself when you stick to it!). As you meditate, focus all of your awareness on your breath. Some people like to count their breaths to help them push through any distractions. As thoughts pop up, which is normal for everyone no matter how long they’ve been meditating, all you need to do is to simply say “thought” or “thinking” and move on.
That’s it! Just a little meditation a few times a week can really help you be more aware of how you feel, and which thoughts are true versus which are not telling you the truth. When you can do that, you can enjoy your life a lot more.
#3) Let Yourself Be Silly
When was the last time you danced around your kitchen, or sang your favorite song at the top of your lungs? Probably too long ago, if we had to guess! Being able to allow yourself to let go and just be yourself is a great reminder that we’re not nearly as grown up as we think we are. Being able to enjoy life with that same childlike enthusiasm that you used to have can help you learn to approach it in a different way.
#4) Treat Your Body Well
When you take care of your body, it will take care of you. That refers to both the physical and the mental. Pay attention to what you’re eating, as well as why you’re eating. Mindfulness can be applied to the diet as well as to the body and mind, so take your time while eating and lose the distractions. Drink plenty of water, try to limit the amount of simple carbs and sugar, and decrease the amount of caffeine that you consume.
The way that you treat your body can also impact your mind. It’s no secret that there are plenty of foods that can affect your mood, both good and bad. A good example is the way that caffeine can increase anxiety, or that broccoli can help the body produce more GABA (which is good to calm the mind). PYM Mood Chews can fit into that as well, as they can naturally work to help decrease stress and feelings of overwhelm.
#5) Remember To Stay Grateful
Gratefulness has become something of a buzzword in recent years, making its way onto shirts, coffee mugs, and inspirational bumper stickers. But gratefulness really is a state of mind that can help you lead a happier life, as well.
It really doesn’t take much to remind yourself to be grateful. Some people keep a gratitude journal that they take the time to write in every night before bed. Others like to sit around the dinner table with their family and say out loud what they’re grateful for. No matter how you do it, making sure to not lose appreciation for all of the good things in your life (and maybe the way that some of the negative things lead to breakthroughs, in time), keeps you humble.
#6) Try To Do Something You Love
So many people take their jobs for granted. They are often seen as just a source of income, and not appreciated for just how much influence they can actually have on your life. When you really stop to think about it, you likely spend more time at work than you do with your own loved ones.
It’s not always possible to love what you do, but you should at least make sure that you don’t hate it. Try to seek out a job that allows you to feel like you’re really giving back in some way. If that’s not in the cards for you, consider going back to school or getting a job that will be more satisfying. You have the power to decide what you do, and you’re never stuck (as much as it can sometimes feel like you are).
In Summary
Happier living isn’t out of reach for anyone, no matter where they may be in life. All of our strategies can be used by anyone to help make your life as great as you deserve for it to be. PYM is here for you, through the highs and the lows. We believe in your ability to change your life for the better, no matter how old you are.
Sources:
What is Mindfulness? (mindful.org)