Don't be afraid to hug others: The average hug lasts 2.1 seconds, but for the endorphins to transfer it needs to last seven seconds or longer.
Upgrade your underwear drawer: This may sound a little silly, but aim to upgrade your underwear drawer so that every item is worth wearing on a 'special occasion'. In doing so, every day will feel like one. (This was in my college psych course)
Mondays do not need to be bad: Many of us hold the notion that Mondays are bad and Fridays are good. But, with the average life-span being 4000 weeks, a seventh of your life is lived on a Monday. So try to flip your thinking - Friday is another week closer to death, while Monday is an opportunity to make a dent in the universe.
Hang out with babies and toddlers- me above at Friday's ballgame with coach's grandson, Jace who lights up and lights me up every time I see him.
Practice the 10/5 principle: Smile at everyone who comes within 10 feet of you, make eye contact and say hello to everyone within 5 feet.
Make a list: Write a list of 10 things you really appreciate but take for granted - things like your health and certain relationships will surely be there.
Dance walk- something I just started is dance -walking around the house
Be genuinely interested in others: Ask a lot of questions about them. People will find you incredibly interesting.
Reframe situations: Consider things from a different perspective, a leaking gutter means that you have a house, paying tax signifies that you have an income, a teenager is spending hours playing on his x-box and not wandering the streets.
Happiness is bigger than you: Remember that happiness has a ripple effect and infects people three degrees removed from you.
Lose the word 'try': Instead of setting a resolution of 'I'm going to try and lose some weight', or 'I'm going to try and get a bit fitter', opt for 'I'm going to lose some weight', or 'I'm going to get fitter. In the words of Yoda, 'Do or do not, there is no try'.
Challenge your critical voice: Most people have an internal voice that is very critical. When your inner voice is telling you that you are an idiot, disagree firmly and find a positive inner voice.
When setbacks occur, ask yourself this: On a scale of 1 to 10 - 10 being death, where is the issue. If it is death, you are allowed to feel down, but anything else, get over it.
Watch out for the 90/10 principle: This means that 10% of your happiness depends on things that happen to you, while 90% depends on how you react to these events. Always make a conscious choice to be positive.
Change your aim: Change your state of mind, it's not about 'getting through the week' or 'surviving until my next holiday'. Instead, set your aim to 'enjoy the week' or 'to inspire people'.
I'm going to give that dance walking thing a try. It's a great idea.
ReplyDeleteHugs on Irma. That one would get anyone down.
Seven-second hugs. yes.
ReplyDeleteVery uplifting. I think we all need 7-second hugs.
ReplyDelete