Strategies for Elevating Happiness This Year!
The daily stresses of being a parent can take a toll on one’s overall well-being and happiness. It is important that we take a look at the factors that create the emotion of happiness and see what can be done to boost and maintain that state of mind.
The Happiness Factors
According to many studies conducted on the topic of happiness, there are three things that contribute to this state of being. First, there are genetic factors – biologically speaking – the level of the happiness hormones in our bodies, which include serotonin, dopamine, endorphins. This accounts for 50% of a person’s happiness. Also, there are cognitive factors that make up 40% of your happiness which is your own personal outlook. This includes your thoughts, actions, and reactions to events and situations. Lastly, there are circumstantial factors such as a loss of a job, loved one, a sickness, or injury which constitute 10% of your overall happiness.
Boosting Your Happy Hormones
There are healthy things you can do to elevate those happy hormones in your body – starting with your diet. Consuming foods rich in B-vitamins and omega 3-fatty acids [1], such as brown rice, leafy green veggies, fish, poultry, nuts, lentils, and whole grains are excellent choices. Studies have shown that people who are depressed have low levels of folate in their bloodstream and increasing the consumption of leafy green veggies and legumes have been shown to boost serotonin and dopamine levels.
https://www.parentingspecialneeds.org/article/focus-color/
You can naturally boost your endorphin levels, the pain killing hormones secreted within the brain and nervous system, through a variety of means including:
- Exercising [2]
- Listening to music [3]
- Smelling vanilla or lavender oil
- Making love
- Eating dark chocolate
- Laughing [4] (deep belly laughing is a great way to give your abdominalsa workout)
Happiness Starts Right Now!
When you begin to understand the factors that contribute to happiness, you can better help yourself and others achieve this state of mind – no matter what situation you or others are presently in. When it comes right down to it, happiness is a choice that starts NOW! And this very present moment is all that we ever had, have, and will have in our lives. As the great philosopher and spiritual leader Eckhart Tolle stated, “The past has no power over the present moment.” Getting to this point of NOW and truly understanding the root of happiness is the key to your personal breakthrough epiphany. We have over 50,000 thoughts that we play in our head each day where we are judging, evaluating, planning, and behaving in accordance with our core values. Our happiness gauge is derived from our daily thought patterns and our core values about things such as: money, health, relationships, feelings of self-worth, and the state of the world around us. Albert Einstein once said, “The most important question you can ever ask is if the universe is a friendly place?” From there, your thoughts will determine what actions you take next and lead you to your ultimate destiny.
Doug’s Quick Three Tips to Get You Going on the Right Happiness Track This Year
- Determine what truly inspires you [5] – What do you love doing and what are you actually doing? Do those two things align each day? Prioritize your schedule by making time to do the things that you love to do or that will get you toward your goals.
- Write down your goals [6] – A goal is nothing more than a dream with a deadline. Holding yourself accountable by writing down your goals and reporting to an accountability partner will greatly improve your odds in achieving your goals.
- Surround yourself with all things positive [7] – When you put yourself in the right frame of mind for success by reading empowering books, listening to positive music and empowering audio, and being around people who are uplifting, you will find yourself feeling more positive, creative, open, and expansive in your mindset and the way you set out to achieve your goals.
If you would like to receive Doug’s free manual The Happiness Formula: 30 Days to Finding You and Start Living the Life You Imagine [8], e-mail him at: [email protected]
Douglas Haddad is a public school teacher, nutritionist and the author of parenting/child guidance book Save Your Kids…Now! The Revolutionary Guide To Helping Youth Conquer Today’s Challenges and co-author of Top Ten Tips For Tip Top Shape: Super Health Programs For All Professional Fields.
You May Also Like
- How to Raise Happy Kids [9]
- The Science of Happiness [10]
- Five Ways to Cultivate Friendships [11]
- How to Find Your Special Child’s Spark? [5]
- Teaching Gratitude How to Teach Your Child Thankfulness [12]
- What Is Emotional Intelligence and Why Is It so Important? [13]
- Sometimes you just gotta laugh … and look at the positives!! [4]
- The Family Factor of Five: Making Time for Fitness (and Actually Doing It) [14]
- Tech for Developing Mental Strength for Life’s UPS and Downs [15]
- Journal Writing Can Help You to Reconnect with Yourself [16]
- Art Therapy: How It Works, the Benefits, How to Start [17]
- Where’s the RESPITE? [18]
- My Relaxing Escape [19]
- Anxiety in Children and Adolescents [20]
- 5 Steps to Help Your Child Manage Emotions [21]
- 11 Reasons Why You Should Try Mindfulness Meditation and How to Do It! [22]
- Mental Health Is Not Something to Take for Granted: How to Manage Depression and Stress During the Holidays [23]
This post originally appeared on our January/February 2016 Magazine [24]