Tag: happiness

Happiness

Daily Practices for Increased Happiness

It’s the holiday season and a time when we embrace and exude gratitude, thankfulness, happiness and joy.  This may be the case for many but it’s also a time of stress, frustrations, negativity, loneliness and struggle.

I’ve always loved the holidays but especially so as a child.  Do you remember those joyful feelings when you were little?  The excitement and energy!

When I became a police officer, I saw a different side of the holidays.  I saw hardships, unhealthy relationships, struggles and sadness.  It took a strong mindset to keep that feeling of joy and gratitude.  It was through those experiences and my own struggles that I worked on my own health and happiness.  Discovering new joys and blessings.  Gratitude like I’ve never felt before, yet it took work, personal development and growth.

Finding something to be happy about just once a day can be difficult. Finding something to be happy about so that you are a happier person overall can seem almost impossible. If you are finding yourself in this situation, you may be wondering how to get out of it so you have less stress and anxiety as well as increasing your happiness and getting to a better place in your life. Here are some daily practices that can help you be a happier person.  Especially during the holiday season.

Gratitude Journal

One way to become a happier person, through mindfulness and daily practice, is to start a gratitude journal. You do not need a full journal to do this. In fact, you can use your daily planner or online planner for this. You can even use social media. The key point to this daily practice is to find at least one thing a day you are thankful for or have gratitude for. This can be anything. Let’s face it, we all have bad days. It is finding the good in that bad day that helps us become happier. So, it can be anything from having a great cup of coffee that morning to being happy the day is over so you can start fresh the next day. The point is to recognize the happiness or good and note it.

Every morning I start my day with gratitude, growth and goals.  This daily routine has been a game changer for me.  Start your day listing 1, 5 or 10 things that you’re grateful for.  Like I said, it can be the simplest things.  I recommend sticking to this routine daily.  You can choose to list your gratitudes in the morning, at night or both.  Notice the shift in how it makes you feel and be mindful of your thoughts and feelings around it.

Reducing for Charity

Reducing for charity may seem like an odd endeavor as a daily practice, but it is something that can be very fulfilling for both parties. The idea here is to remove something from your life each day or week that you do not need. This can be anything from a toy your child no longer plays with or has outgrown to an extra set of dishes you really don’t need. Place these items in a box and at the end of the week or month and give the box to charity. These items are no longer cluttering your day and causing a storage issue, and you are helping someone else who may want or need them.  The happiness comes in when you find the joy in either getting the items out of your house or seeing that they can bring joy to someone else through your charity.

Breath Walking

Breath walking may be something that is new to you, but it can make you a happier person. The concept here is to go on a walk in nature each day for a few minutes or more. Just get away from everything. Step out into nature with no electronics. Now this doesn’t mean to go out with no way of contacting anyone in an emergency. It simply means to turn off distractions and phones and just walk. Concentrate on your breath as you move and walk and work to calm it. Notice the sounds and nature around you, and let go of the stress of the day through your breathing. You will find yourself healthier and happier at the end of the walk and as the walks progress, you may find yourself more adapted to handling your daily stress as well.

Meditation

Meditation is a great way to slow down, relax and fill your happiness tank.  There are different forms of meditation, so discover which one works best for you and build on it.  There are guided meditations, quiet time alone, breath work, listening to quiet music while relaxing your mind and just being still.  Many have discovered that clarity, calmness and fulfillment come from meditation.  When we calm the body and mind, amazing things happen.

Be the Reason Someone Smiles

This is something my father taught me as a young girl.  It’s something I’ve carried with me through the years and something I exercise daily.  Be the reason someone smiles today- and everyday!  Whether you open the door for a stranger, say hello to someone walking down the street or engage a joyful conversation with someone in the grocery checkout line.  Engage with others, smile, exude your happiness and joy.  Whatever works for you… discover it and do it some more.

I’ve discovered many ways to encourage others to smile and it not only brightens someone else’s day, but it fills my gratitude, joy and happiness tank.  So, be the reason someone smiles today. ?

As you start adding these daily practices into your life, you will start seeing a change for the better and seeing yourself becoming happier. Remember, start slow and discover what works best for you. It’s all about letting the process develop in your life at your own pace.

From my home to yours, blessing and best wishes for a Healthy and Happy Holiday Season!

XOXO,

Kim

 

Top 10 Tips from Women Who Live a Happy and Healthy Lifestyle

Do you ever see those women who walk down the street exuding confidence? They have a huge smile on their face and they look like they are ready to take on the world.  Do you wonder what they do to make themselves look that way?  Ladies, do you long for a happy and healthy lifestyle of your own?

Despite what gentlemen may believe, women are incredible creatures and it often doesn’t take much to please us.  It’s just a matter of adding in some YOU time and making the right choices. Sometimes a slight difference in our mindset, schedule, or meeting can change the entire course of the day.  So I ask you, what are you doing to make yourself happy?  Do you feel like you’re living a healthy lifestyle?  Check out the below tips and see if a little adjustment is something that could benefit you.

Top 10 Tips:

  1.  Don’t Sweat the Small Shit

Our mindset is pretty incredible!  It can impact our entire day and quickly turn our mood.  If you’ve been stuck in traffic on the way to work or got into an argument with your colleague, let it roll off.  Instead of ruining your entire day, take some deep breaths and move on.  Women are emotional beings but we have a good bit of control over our response to things.  Roll that shit off, ladies!  Yes, it may be a little challenging, but don’t let it ruin a good day.

2.  Get Some Rest

Ladies, our bodies need sleep!  This is not negotiable.     Sleep can actually play into number one pretty well.  Instead of staying up until midnight watching your favorite re-runs of “Sex and the City,” schedule a bedtime that works for you every night.  Yes, you may have a dinner or party on the weekend, but don’t get too off course.  Hitting the pillow and rising on the same schedule is a great way to get properly rest.  Proper sleep plays a huge role in how you feel, the choices you make and how you respond to things.  Being well rested will pay off big time.

3.  Daily Gratitude

Instead of rushing out of bed and lunging into the shower, allow an extra fifteen minutes in the morning.  Pour a cup of warm water with lemon and write in a gratitude journal.  List things that you are grateful for or people who you want to contact throughout the day.  Just to say hello or that you’re thinking of them.

If writing in a journal isn’t your thing, spend that time snuggled up in a blanket, drinking your water or coffee, and think about your blessings.  That extra time in the morning can have a huge impact on your day.  Make the time and throw on your comfy socks or fuzzy slippers.  Get warm and comfy, girl!

4.  Move That Booty

Do you remember the movie line, “Exercise gives you endorphines.  Endorphines make you happy?”  Well, it’s true!  Getting in a workout, walk around the neighborhood or fitness class is a great way to boost your heart rate and your mood.  Even if you’re feeling a little down or stressed, go for a walk.  Grab a girlfriend and get some “girlie time” in.  Daily exercise will definitely help!

5.  Create a Happy Environment

Have you noticed how much a room lights up when you have a glowing scented candle lit?  Maybe you just picked up some flowers from the market and added them to your table.  Do you notice a difference in your mood when you create a space that’s warm and inviting?

As women, we often like to add little touches to our surroundings.  Personally, I love picking up a fresh bouquet of flowers.  Maybe add a new throw or pillow.  It’s these little touches that make us happy and create a warm, welcoming environment.  Everyone has their own taste, so find what makes you glow with light, laughter and love.

6.  Cuddle Up With Your Pet

Do you wish you could feel less stressed and more relaxed?  The answer may be laying there right in front of you on your lap.  Animals have been shown to boost our mood, ease pain, lower stress levels and blood pressure, boost the immune system, provide support and build confidence.  Well, doesn’t that just make you want to go run and hug your dog or chicken? 🙂

Animals are very therapeutic and help us in so many ways.  They love to be loved as much as we do.  When you’re feeling stressed, sad or just want some down time, snuggle up with your furry friends.  Not only will it help you, but they will LOVE it too!

7.  Add in Meditation and Yoga

This was an area that took some adjusting for me.  When I was a police officer, I was very much into the weight room, spin classes and kickboxing.  I loved a good challenge and hard workout.  Honestly, I thought yoga and meditation had little effect.  BOY, was I WRONG!  Since learning about holistic health and literally changing my life, I now see the power of meditation, pilates and yoga.

Yoga is great for your body in so many ways.  Adding meditation into your routine can make a huge difference in your day too!  Even if you can only carve out fifteen minutes in the morning or mid-afternoon.

It can also help before hitting your pillow at night.  Taking that time to close your eyes, relax and take some deep breaths will make a huge impact on your day.  Your mind and body will definitely benefit.

For more information about yoga and pilates, check out: Why I Started Yoga and Pilates

8.    Surround Yourself with Positive People

Have you ever heard the saying by Jim Rohn, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with?”  It’s so true!

Look at those around you on a daily basis.  Are they parasites who suck the life out of you?  Are they friends or family who constantly criticize, complain, bitch and hate life?  These people will bring you down very quickly!

I am not saying to isolate yourself from friends and family.  What I am saying is that you should choose wisely.  Keep the negative people at a distance and establish your ground for how much time you spend with them.  Create boundaries and limitations for how you allow others to treat you.  Spend more time with those who motivate and inspire you.  When choosing who you want to spend your time with, think about how others make you feel.  That’s a good indication about who is sucking you dry and who is lifting you up and empowering you.

9.  It’s OK to Feel Your Feelings

As I mentioned before, women are very emotional beings.  We feel many things and sometimes don’t deal with it very well.   Instead of bottling up anger or stress, drinking too much, eating for comfort or calling an ex, feel your feelings.  It’s OK to be upset, to get mad, to feel sad and lonely.  That moment is not forever and you should embrace the feeling.  Ask yourself why you’re feeling that way.  What events or circumstances led up to it?  What can you do now?  Maybe meditation, a hot bath, long walk or a good book will help.  Instead of placing it on the back burner or choosing more destructive options to avoid it, do something that will make you feel better and more fulfilled.  Above all, know it’s OK to feel this way!

10.  Take Time for Yourself

I saved this one for number ten because I believe it’s so important!  As women, we tend to put everyone else before us.  We agree to those committees, volunteer events, social hours, projects and everything else before us.  While you’re placing everyone else before you, you’re not only hurting yourself but also those around you as well.

Ladies, it’s not selfish!  It’s actually an important part of our routine.  Our health and happiness (and those around us) will benefit a great deal.

I know it can be a challenging adjustment and you may be thinking it doesn’t make that much of a difference.  I get it.. I was that girl!  I was too busy living a fast paced life and didn’t feel a need to slow down or take time for myself.  Well, I got a good kick in the ass and wake up call.

Taking that extra fifteen minutes in the morning, a warm epsom salt bath or relaxing massage can make a huge change.  Not only in your health but also in your mindset and happiness.  Whatever it is that makes you happy, do it!  Grab lunch with a girlfriend, buy that outfit you’ve had your eye on, join a new women’s group or try a different class with the ladies at the gym.  Your time is just as important as those around you.  Again, not only will you benefit.  Make the time and make it a priority.

 

I hope these tips have been helpful.  If you feel a need for change, I encourage you to try several (or all of these) tips.  I can say that it took some lessons for this stubborn girl to make a change.  I couldn’t be happier and want the same for you!
I would love your feedback or comments about this post.  Please feel free to comment below or message me.

PS… Ladies, there is no better time than now to make YOU a priority. If you’re looking for a change now or in the New Year, let’s chat!  i am offering a free 30 minute strategy session with me. let’s get the ball rolling to a happier, healthier you!  to schedule your session, contact me here:  Schedule Strategy Session

PSS… i am launching a winter program for women who are sick and tired of living diet to diet, feeling run down, stressed out, exhausted and wanting to lose weight.  if you’re interested in more information or want to get on the waiting list for the launch, contact me here: I’m Interested

there is no better time than now to make a change!  are you ready to do this for you?  let’s do it together!

XOXO,

Kim