Hey there, viewers! This pandemic has affected our mental health,
but it’s still possible to be happy. All you need to do is adopt the right habits,
and you’ll be on your way to feeling better.
In today’s video, we’ll be discussing daily, weekly and yearly habits that can make you happy.
From smiling more to giving a compliment, from ditching the phone to meeting your friend,
we’ll be talking about all of this AND more...
Let’s start with some daily habits that you should add to your routine..
Smile Ever experienced instant happiness when
your neighbour greets you with a smile? Or when a little kid randomly smiles at you? When you’re
happy, you smile more! But smiling also causes the brain to release dopamine, and relaxes us more.
This doesn't mean you have to carry a fake smile all the time. Just try to be happier in public.
Greet your friends with a smile. If you’re feeling low, watch some funny content that
makes you laugh. Maybe talk to a friend or play with your pet. You can even start your
day by smiling at yourself in the mirror. What activities make you smile? Sound off
in the comment section below, and start a conversation with our Bestie community…
Get a good night’s sleep In order to be more productive,
many of us are sleeping less! Being productive is good, but not at the cost of your snooze time.
Proper sleep is important for your overall health. This includes your mental health.
Between 7 to 8 hours of sleep is absolutely essential. Not to mention the quality! Fixing your
sleep schedule will make you feel much better. Taking power naps during the day is also good,
as it gives your body a little energy boost. Try to create a sleep routine that works for
you. It can be taking a shower or reading something before bedtime. I know it's hard,
but don’t scroll through social media or binge Netflix. These will just keep you up longer.
Exercise We’ve all experienced that
endorphin rush after a good run! Routine exercise lowers stress, reduces anxiety and promotes
happiness. You don’t have to suddenly go for high intensity training. Just practice a physical
activity you enjoy. It can be a 10 minute walk, basic yoga, hiking, cardio, or maybe even dancing.
Eat mindfully What you eat affects your mood.
Whenever you feel anxious or low, you want to eat carbs, right? This is because carbs release
serotonin, a “feel-good hormone”, which instantly energizes you, but for a very short time.
Switch to complex carbs like veggies, beans and whole grains.
You should also eat protein-rich foods like legumes and poultry, which release dopamine
and boost your mood. Ditch processed and fried foods, and eat a healthier diet.
Give a compliment You feel happy when
someone gives you a compliment. But it is a two-way street, people! When you give a
sincere compliment to someone, you’re brightening their day, while also boosting your own happiness.
Studies suggest you feel satisfied after performing an act of kindness.
When you genuinely give a compliment with a smile, you feel very good. No need to wait
for someone to give a compliment. Just say “your shirt looks really nice”, or “you’re
great just the way you are”. Just remember to give compliments in a respectful manner.
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Address the unhappy moments Ups and downs are a part of life. If you receive
negative news, or you made a mistake, just accept it and don’t pretend to be happy. Acknowledge that
low feeling, and find ways to recover from it. Let this unhappy moment pass, and you’ll be fine.
Remember, unhappiness is temporary. Acknowledge stress
Stress is unavoidable. So, you have to find a way to tackle it head on. I know it's easier
said than done. Relax yourself, and find a way to reduce your stress. Remember,
you’re stronger than you think! Practice gratitude
Many of you already practice gratitude. The rest of you should definitely try. By being grateful,
you feel much happier. Your self-esteem increases, and there’s an improvement in
your friendships and relationships. But above all, you appreciate whatever life has gifted you with.
Be thankful for at least one positive thing in your day. It can be a big thing like cracking a
business deal, or a small thing like getting pizza with a friend. You can also practice
gratitude by saying, “I’m grateful for my good health”, or “I’m grateful for this family time”.
Writing your thoughts out is also a good idea. This leads me to my next point...
Keep a journal Sometimes it’s easy to put down feelings
on paper. This is a great way to lay out your thoughts, both positive and negative. This way,
you can analyze your feelings. No wonder there are so many gratitude journals out there. Investing
in one is a good idea. If you’re unsure about it, get a booklet, and start by writing ‘three
things you are grateful for’. Try filling it in once every day. You’ll feel better in no time.
Breathe deeply Everyone goes through a
feeling of being tense and super anxious. Whenever you feel stressed, close your eyes and think about
a happy memory. Then take slow, deep breaths. You can also count to 5 with each inhale and exhale.
These are some of the daily habits that assist your mental health. Now, let’s take a look at
the weekly habits... Plan your week
Most of the time, we feel bad because we’re having a hard time managing our personal and professional
lives. An easy way to take control is by planning your week in advance. Just as we schedule our
meetings at work, schedule other important routine tasks. On weekends, make plans for the upcoming
week. Sort out time for grocery shopping, laundry, cleaning, meeting friends and other activities.
Creating a plan on your phone will do the job. This will help you manage your time
effectively, and reduce pressure. Take a break from your phone
Ditch your electronics! Really! Switch off all gadgets, and put your airpods away for at least
two hours once a week. Unplugging yourself from the matrix will reduce your anxiety, and connect
you with the natural world. Most importantly, it allows you to be present and enjoy the moment.
You can spend this free time reading, meditating, walking, socializing or just being alone.
If it’s hard for you to turn off your phone completely, just take a break from social media.
Yes, you can do it! These days, many people are walking away from Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Too much of it is just too toxic! Before we continue, are you worried
about your privacy? Well you might want to watch our video on 6 signs your phone has
been hacked. Now back to our discussion on weekly habits that help your mood!
Declutter Decluttering seems like a daunting task,
but it really isn’t. You just have to set aside 30 minutes a week. In that time, tidy up a specific
area or room. Organize all the things that are lying around. Keep them in their designated place.
You may organize your closet, pantry or that drawer that’s always flooded with items. Walk
around your house and organize the mess. Donate the items you no longer use. Decluttering helps
you take control of your home, and a clean space always brings positivity and happiness.
Meet your friends
We’re social beings, us humans. Spending time with friends makes us happier. Plan weekly meet ups
with someone you know. If your friends live too far, maybe have a chat over Facetime. We all have
one or two friends who understand us. Share your feelings with them. You’ll feel much better. Pets
are also great companions. Playing with them will magically reduce anxiety and promote happiness.
Spend time in nature
Meeting your friends in a park is a good idea. Even if it's just you, some time in open green
spaces provides you with fresh air and light. Spending at least 30 minutes in nature can help
lower your blood pressure and depression. Exercising out in nature is also useful
Try therapy If you feel like anxiety
is hurting your daily life, consider therapy. Talking to a therapist will help you get rid of
all the worrying and negative thoughts. They’re there to listen, and to give honest feedback.
Practice meditation
Meditation is the act of focusing your mind on your thoughts. It helps you achieve mental
clarity, and makes you more calm and stable emotionally. Initially, it's hard to concentrate,
but slowly you’ll learn. You can start by practicing 5 minutes of meditation in the
morning, or just before bedtime. Even deep breathing exercises are a form of meditation.
Self-care Many of us forget
to take care of ourselves. Our bodies deserve some love. Everyone’s version of self-care is
different. You may like a good skin care routine, taking a hot bath, performing an intense workout,
or just resting on your bed with some amazing scented candles. You know what you like best.
Moving on, let’s dive into some monthly habits that can make you happier...
Prepare a thought list
You have 10 extra minutes before your Zoom meeting starts. What will you do?
Scroll through instagram? Check YouTube? Instead, use your phone to make a thought list.
This is a list of happy memories you had recently, or good things to look forward to. It can be
little things like a recent outing, eating at your favorite restaurant or winning a game. Next time
you’re feeling low, have a look at this thought list and accept that bad days are temporary.
Go out alone Take yourself out. Even if you love
socializing, alone time is good. Go out to watch a movie, do some shopping, or take a solo day
trip to the beach. Spending time alone will help you rediscover yourself, and make you happier.
Give back Remember how I said giving compliments makes
you happier? Well there’s another level after that. Try doing something generous for others
in need. You can donate to an orphanage, help at a food bank, or volunteer for park clean up.
Last but not least, practicing a few yearly habits can also make you happier...
Don’t hold on to grudges Holding grudges for a long time
will not do you any favors. When you enter a new year, just let go of your grudges,
and try being more forgiving. This way you’ll start your year off with a little peace.
Prioritize your physical health Self-care is just a small part
of it. Taking care of your physical health is equally important. Visit your physician for an
annual body checkup and oral examination. Get your vision checked. Get a proper blood test
done for any chronic health conditions. A healthy body promotes a healthy mind.
Reconsider your goals Your state of mind may
change with time. The goals you wanted to achieve earlier might not seem worth it now,
which is completely okay. At the beginning of each year, reevaluate your goals and work accordingly.
Reflect on yourself
At the start of each year, stop and reflect. Ask yourself questions like,
“How are you?” and, “Are you feeling happier than last year?” Just don’t judge yourself.
You are so much stronger than you think. Afterall, you made it through another trip around the sun.
Would you like to learn more about anxiety? Wanna know which foods to avoid if you have it? Let’s
keep the conversation going with a couple more mental-health related videos, shall we?
Check out 12 things you’re doing because of high functioning anxiety. Or
How about 5 foods to avoid if you have anxiety?
Go ahead, click one. Or better yet, watch both,
and learn more about anxiety and mental health. What do you do to be happy?
Did you know about these habits before watching this video? Let us know in the comments below!