Advertisement

10 Motivating Tips To Boost Happiness

  • This is an edited extract from Get Happy by Dr Anthony Gunn published by Hardie Grant Books, $21.99. Available in stores nationally.
    1/12

    10 Motivating Tips To Boost Happiness

    This is an edited extract from Get Happy by Dr Anthony Gunn published by Hardie Grant Books, $21.99. Available in stores nationally.
  • Researchers from the University of Bern in Switzerland found that when people were asked to evaluate a face, what made the face appear attractive was the intensity of its smile. Evolutionary psychologists believe this is because when we smile we are indicating to others that we are healthy. What’s more, smiling helps release feel-good hormones dopamine and serotonin in the body, making us feel better. Try this experiment: smile for one whole day, especially if you are not feeling in the mood, and see what happens to your happiness.
    2/12

    1. Smile, it makes you look sexy

    Researchers from the University of Bern in Switzerland found that when people were asked to evaluate a face, what made the face appear attractive was the intensity of its smile. Evolutionary psychologists believe this is because when we smile we are indicating to others that we are healthy. What’s more, smiling helps release feel-good hormones dopamine and serotonin in the body, making us feel better. Try this experiment: smile for one whole day, especially if you are not feeling in the mood, and see what happens to your happiness.
  • Researchers have found that being grateful increases happiness. Try the experiment researchers used: for one week, set aside ten minutes each night before you go to bed to write down three things that went well that day. Write it down on paper or type it on your computer, instead of just doing it in your head. Next to each positive event in your list, answer the question: ‘Why did this good thing happen?’ The researchers found that not only did this make people happier, but the benefits lasted for six months. Give it a go!
    3/12

    2. Count your blessings

    Researchers have found that being grateful increases happiness. Try the experiment researchers used: for one week, set aside ten minutes each night before you go to bed to write down three things that went well that day. Write it down on paper or type it on your computer, instead of just doing it in your head. Next to each positive event in your list, answer the question: ‘Why did this good thing happen?’ The researchers found that not only did this make people happier, but the benefits lasted for six months. Give it a go!
  • Making someone else happy can make you feel great too. Give someone you know a compliment. Seeing their happiness will be contagious. If they aren’t the type to accept compliments, you need to get under their guard. Try passing on a compliment someone else has given them, such as: ‘Sally was raving about your chocolate cake at last night’s meeting.’ It’s harder to knock back a compliment that way because you’re simply the messenger, and they’ll feel more comfortable accepting it. Give a compliment and notice how happy you feel.
    4/12

    3. Give a compliment

    Making someone else happy can make you feel great too. Give someone you know a compliment. Seeing their happiness will be contagious. If they aren’t the type to accept compliments, you need to get under their guard. Try passing on a compliment someone else has given them, such as: ‘Sally was raving about your chocolate cake at last night’s meeting.’ It’s harder to knock back a compliment that way because you’re simply the messenger, and they’ll feel more comfortable accepting it. Give a compliment and notice how happy you feel.
  • A recent scientific study measured people’s brain activity as they watched faceless, computer animated people walk. The participants had to guess what emotion the animated characters were feeling based on their walk. Not only did the people in the study correctly identify the emotion, but negative emotional walks such as fearful or angry walks were more easily identified, and showed increased neural activity in the participants’ brain scans. Maybe there is some truth in the idea that people’s body language projects an aura. If you want people to see you in a positive and happy light, then walk happy.
    5/12

    4. Walking

    A recent scientific study measured people’s brain activity as they watched faceless, computer animated people walk. The participants had to guess what emotion the animated characters were feeling based on their walk. Not only did the people in the study correctly identify the emotion, but negative emotional walks such as fearful or angry walks were more easily identified, and showed increased neural activity in the participants’ brain scans. Maybe there is some truth in the idea that people’s body language projects an aura. If you want people to see you in a positive and happy light, then walk happy.
  • Take a camera and start taking photos of your environment. You will be amazed at what you start noticing, and it’s also a great way to discover new places and step out of your comfort zone, especially if you’re shy. Not only will your happiness increase, but you may also uncover a hidden talent!
    6/12

    5. Become a photographer

    Take a camera and start taking photos of your environment. You will be amazed at what you start noticing, and it’s also a great way to discover new places and step out of your comfort zone, especially if you’re shy. Not only will your happiness increase, but you may also uncover a hidden talent!
  • Food can make us either happy or sad. One chocolate biscuit is wonderful; a whole packet can be depressing. Do you ever find yourself eating for comfort, yet the more you eat, the more distressed you become? Next time you notice yourself doing this, take your time and eat slowly. Enjoy each bite and savour it. Eating mindfully not only brings comfort and happiness, but also means we require far less food as we become full more quickly.
    7/12

    6. Eat mindfully

    Food can make us either happy or sad. One chocolate biscuit is wonderful; a whole packet can be depressing. Do you ever find yourself eating for comfort, yet the more you eat, the more distressed you become? Next time you notice yourself doing this, take your time and eat slowly. Enjoy each bite and savour it. Eating mindfully not only brings comfort and happiness, but also means we require far less food as we become full more quickly.
  • You’ve probably heard fit people say, ‘I used to go fishing, camping, dancing..’ etc. The moment a person uses the words ‘I used to’, they have an under-investment in their physical and emotional wellbeing. If you find yourself using the ‘I used to’ statement, stop and take stock of your life because it’s likely you’re putting your own needs way down the priority list. Make happiness a priority by replacing I used to with I will.
    8/12

    7. Be aware of the ‘I used to’ syndrome

    You’ve probably heard fit people say, ‘I used to go fishing, camping, dancing..’ etc. The moment a person uses the words ‘I used to’, they have an under-investment in their physical and emotional wellbeing. If you find yourself using the ‘I used to’ statement, stop and take stock of your life because it’s likely you’re putting your own needs way down the priority list. Make happiness a priority by replacing I used to with I will.
  • Anxiety lives in the unknown. This is why people often gain a sense of security from staying in uncomfortable but known situations: an unhealthy job or relationship, not showing anyone the book you’ve written. Gain comes about by embracing the unknown. Instead, act differently: have a conversation with a stranger, go to the movies by yourself, learn how to repair something that needs fixing, offer to take on a new challenge at work. Embracing the unknown is scary, but it’s also where happiness lives. What can you do to be happily scared today?
    9/12

    8. Let each day happily scare you

    Anxiety lives in the unknown. This is why people often gain a sense of security from staying in uncomfortable but known situations: an unhealthy job or relationship, not showing anyone the book you’ve written. Gain comes about by embracing the unknown. Instead, act differently: have a conversation with a stranger, go to the movies by yourself, learn how to repair something that needs fixing, offer to take on a new challenge at work. Embracing the unknown is scary, but it’s also where happiness lives. What can you do to be happily scared today?
  • Regular stretching is just as important as exercise since it decreases both muscle tension and chances of injury, speeds up recovery from an injury, increases circulation and potentially helps slow the ageing process. Stretch your arms and wrists while sitting at the computer, or stretch your legs while brushing your teeth. Incorporate stretching into your everyday life and you’ll notice an amazing difference in how your body feels. A healthy body makes for a happy person.
    10/12

    9. Stretch daily

    Regular stretching is just as important as exercise since it decreases both muscle tension and chances of injury, speeds up recovery from an injury, increases circulation and potentially helps slow the ageing process. Stretch your arms and wrists while sitting at the computer, or stretch your legs while brushing your teeth. Incorporate stretching into your everyday life and you’ll notice an amazing difference in how your body feels. A healthy body makes for a happy person.
  • When we become stressed we often fail to breathe properly. This disrupts the oxygen levels in our blood, causing tightness and pain in the chest, dizziness, a racing heart and panic symptoms. Deep breathing is a simple strategy you can use to lower stress levels. Practise breathing in for three seconds, feeling your lower abdomen expand; hold for three seconds; then breathe out for three seconds. Do this for three minutes while you’re doing something mindless. The more you practise, the more natural it will be to use during times of high stress. Deep breathing is cheap insurance against unhappiness.
    11/12

    10. Become a deep-breathing expert

    When we become stressed we often fail to breathe properly. This disrupts the oxygen levels in our blood, causing tightness and pain in the chest, dizziness, a racing heart and panic symptoms. Deep breathing is a simple strategy you can use to lower stress levels. Practise breathing in for three seconds, feeling your lower abdomen expand; hold for three seconds; then breathe out for three seconds. Do this for three minutes while you’re doing something mindless. The more you practise, the more natural it will be to use during times of high stress. Deep breathing is cheap insurance against unhappiness.
  • 10 Motivating Tips To Boost Happiness
    12/12

    10 Motivating Tips To Boost Happiness

    10 Motivating Tips To Boost Happiness
This is an edited extract from Get Happy by Dr Anthony Gunn published by Hardie Grant Books, $21.99. Available in stores nationally.
Researchers from the University of Bern in Switzerland found that when people were asked to evaluate a face, what made the face appear attractive was the intensity of its smile. Evolutionary psychologists believe this is because when we smile we are indicating to others that we are healthy. What’s more, smiling helps release feel-good hormones dopamine and serotonin in the body, making us feel better. Try this experiment: smile for one whole day, especially if you are not feeling in the mood, and see what happens to your happiness.
Researchers have found that being grateful increases happiness. Try the experiment researchers used: for one week, set aside ten minutes each night before you go to bed to write down three things that went well that day. Write it down on paper or type it on your computer, instead of just doing it in your head. Next to each positive event in your list, answer the question: ‘Why did this good thing happen?’ The researchers found that not only did this make people happier, but the benefits lasted for six months. Give it a go!
Making someone else happy can make you feel great too. Give someone you know a compliment. Seeing their happiness will be contagious. If they aren’t the type to accept compliments, you need to get under their guard. Try passing on a compliment someone else has given them, such as: ‘Sally was raving about your chocolate cake at last night’s meeting.’ It’s harder to knock back a compliment that way because you’re simply the messenger, and they’ll feel more comfortable accepting it. Give a compliment and notice how happy you feel.
A recent scientific study measured people’s brain activity as they watched faceless, computer animated people walk. The participants had to guess what emotion the animated characters were feeling based on their walk. Not only did the people in the study correctly identify the emotion, but negative emotional walks such as fearful or angry walks were more easily identified, and showed increased neural activity in the participants’ brain scans. Maybe there is some truth in the idea that people’s body language projects an aura. If you want people to see you in a positive and happy light, then walk happy.
Take a camera and start taking photos of your environment. You will be amazed at what you start noticing, and it’s also a great way to discover new places and step out of your comfort zone, especially if you’re shy. Not only will your happiness increase, but you may also uncover a hidden talent!
Food can make us either happy or sad. One chocolate biscuit is wonderful; a whole packet can be depressing. Do you ever find yourself eating for comfort, yet the more you eat, the more distressed you become? Next time you notice yourself doing this, take your time and eat slowly. Enjoy each bite and savour it. Eating mindfully not only brings comfort and happiness, but also means we require far less food as we become full more quickly.
You’ve probably heard fit people say, ‘I used to go fishing, camping, dancing..’ etc. The moment a person uses the words ‘I used to’, they have an under-investment in their physical and emotional wellbeing. If you find yourself using the ‘I used to’ statement, stop and take stock of your life because it’s likely you’re putting your own needs way down the priority list. Make happiness a priority by replacing I used to with I will.
Anxiety lives in the unknown. This is why people often gain a sense of security from staying in uncomfortable but known situations: an unhealthy job or relationship, not showing anyone the book you’ve written. Gain comes about by embracing the unknown. Instead, act differently: have a conversation with a stranger, go to the movies by yourself, learn how to repair something that needs fixing, offer to take on a new challenge at work. Embracing the unknown is scary, but it’s also where happiness lives. What can you do to be happily scared today?
Regular stretching is just as important as exercise since it decreases both muscle tension and chances of injury, speeds up recovery from an injury, increases circulation and potentially helps slow the ageing process. Stretch your arms and wrists while sitting at the computer, or stretch your legs while brushing your teeth. Incorporate stretching into your everyday life and you’ll notice an amazing difference in how your body feels. A healthy body makes for a happy person.
When we become stressed we often fail to breathe properly. This disrupts the oxygen levels in our blood, causing tightness and pain in the chest, dizziness, a racing heart and panic symptoms. Deep breathing is a simple strategy you can use to lower stress levels. Practise breathing in for three seconds, feeling your lower abdomen expand; hold for three seconds; then breathe out for three seconds. Do this for three minutes while you’re doing something mindless. The more you practise, the more natural it will be to use during times of high stress. Deep breathing is cheap insurance against unhappiness.
10 Motivating Tips To Boost Happiness
Yahoo7

The path to happiness starts with our mindset. Here psychologist Dr Anthony Gunn shares simple advice on how you can shift your focus and boost your happy dial in 2016.