Top 8 incredible HAPPINESS HACKS

amarnath (31)in #life • 10 years ago

As humans we are hardwired to seek happiness constantly. All our endeavours both worldly and spiritual are dovetailed to the idea of reaching a place called "happiness". If you observe closely all that we pursue in life is linked to the idea of being happy and joyful. In our relationships, our expectations from others, our career goals, our aspirations and plans in life etc we put in effort hoping that it would finally make us happy.

The nature of happiness always intrigued me right from the beginning. During my growing up years I was quite sensitive and was bogged down with all the ruthless comparisons, the expectations, the compulsions that was part of being an "excellent student". I was mostly serious, sad and grim faced at school and it looked as if I had made a habit of being unhappy all the time. This also had an impact on my immediate surroundings, people avoided me and I hardly make good friends.

It was at this point that I was waking up to a certain realization. Being a keen observer, I often wondered at how people could be both happy and unhappy under similar circumstances. As an example many of the students who scored top grade were still unhappy (because of high expectations) whereas some kids (though studious) were happy with whatever they got. This set me thinking on the true nature of the human experience called 'happiness'. I was curious and determined to find the formula that could lead to "Instant Happiness".

I started searching for answers everywhere... in books, listening to inspiring lectures, debating with the wise etc. My efforts were not in vain, slowly clarity started unfolding. The secret code to 'happiness' was right here, right in our Minds. Well friends it is strange but true that "happiness cannot be found outside of us it needs to be generated within", in fact all the gurus and the great books say the same thing but in different ways. This realization was awesome, however I also needed practical ways to apply this in daily life, well subsequently I was able to identify practical techniques and strategies to achieve this.

Now that I knew something.. Did my life change overnight?... well boy it never really did. As they say.. old habits die hard, well it took me some time to unlearn old ways and be consistently happy. Slowly I was getting back the sunshine into my life, the results of this transformation were quite astounding, people genuinely liked me and I was clearly more successful in whatever I did. Being deliberately happy seemed to generate a certain magnetism that attracted all the positive things into my life.

Well friends, this short article is dedicated to "Instant happiness" a mindset re-engineering approach that can help you get back on the track quickly and easily. These are well researched and scientifically proven methods, I am sure this will transform your life just like it did mine.

(Please note: This is not a silver bullet to genuine grief, for deeper issues please do consider talking to your counsellors.)

Here are the top 8 methods..

Practice mindfulness.

“I clean this teapot with the kind of attention I would have were I giving the baby Buddha or Jesus a bath.”
― Thích Nhất Hạnh,

Be totally present in daily life activities, give whatever you are doing complete attention.Instead of worrying about stock market, your school project or checkup tomorrow while you have dinner with your family, focus on the here and now.

Eat mindfully
Notice the aroma, feel the food touch your mouth, close your eyes, feel your toungue making contact with the food. Notice the taste and the saliva that rushes in. Chew the food slowly feel your teeth crushing the food, savour the taste in every morsel. Gulp the food slowly and imagine it energizing your body.

Mindful eating helps you relish the simple act of eating and this will instantly boost your happiness levels.

Walk Mindfully
In a study called the Ruth Stricker Mind/Body Study, researchers divided 135 people into five groups of walkers for 16 weeks. Group one walked briskly, group two at a slow pace, and group three at a slow pace while practicing “mindfulness,” a mental technique to bring about the relaxation response, a physiological response in which the heart rate slows and blood pressure drops. This group was asked to pay attention to their footsteps, counting one, two, one, two, and to visualize the numbers in their mind. Group four practiced a form of tai chi, and group five served as the control, changing nothing about their lives.

The group practicing mindfulness showed significant declines in anxiety and had fewer negative and more positive feelings about themselves. Overall they experienced the same stress-reducing effects of the brisk walkers. Better yet, the effects were evident immediately.

Some more ways to practice mindfullness are to avoid multitasking, paying full attention while listening, feeling the sensations in your body, feeling the breeze around you, being aware of the texture of objects in your room and around you etc.

Go..Get some Sun
Go outdoors and allow the sun rays to kiss you skin. Exposure to sun helps you accumulate Vitamin D, which is supposed to be a natural anti depressant. Various scientific studies have shown that a decrease in vitamin D leads to mild depression. So apply your sunscreen, go out, bask in the Sun and regain your happy mood.

Stretch your body.
Exercising is an excellent way to get a sudden endorphin rush. Endorphins are the natural hormones that influence the brains neuro-transmitters leading to 'feel-good' experience. A quick 5 minute exercise or yoga session should drive the blues away. I am a true believer in the stress relieving power of Yoga. You dont need to join a costly studio, just go to you-tube and learn a few yoga postures to start with.

Clap and laugh.. repeat
This has its basis in laughter therapy, it works like a charm everytime... I feel low..
Stand up.
Put your hands above your head.
Smile.
Start shaking your hands like a crazy person.SHAKE THEM! MORE! Keep shaking.
Shout “I am Happy!” louder and louder (4 times atleast.)
Now jump up and down! and keep screaming "I am happy"!
STOP
Take a deep breath.
Light a candle and scent the air..
Scent the air. Research finds that the benefits of aromatherapy in relieving stress are real. In one study people exposed to rosemary had lower anxiety levels, increased alertness, and performed math computations faster. Adults exposed to lavender showed an increase in the type of brain waves that suggest increased relaxation. Today you have a variety of room-scenting methods, from plug-in air fresheners to essential oil diffusers, potpourri, and scented candles.
Hang With a Furry Friend
Take your dog for a walk if you have one, or else try feeding dogs or cows.
Listen to Your Favorite Song
Make a Gratitude List
People who pause each day to reflect on some positive aspect of their lives (their health, friends, family, freedom, education, etc.) experience a heightened sense of well-being.
Change or Declutter your surroundings...
This I would call the reset method..Get physically active, start cleaning up you room or house. Declutter your computer desktop, reset password if you like, change your mobile ringtone, change your background, or perhaps the theme of your blog if you have one.

The repetitive nature of certain cleaning tasks — such as sweeping, wiping, and scrubbing — can be meditative and therapeutic in itself if you focus on what you’re doing.

Escape to your secret oasis...
Visit a quiet place. Libraries, museums, gardens, and places of worship provide islands of peace and calm in today’s frantic world. Find a quiet place near your house and make it your secret getaway.

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#success #philosophy #psychology #happiness