The Happiness Project

"Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions."----Dalai Lama

Happiness. There was a great article in one of my continuing ed journals about how Happiness isn't something that just happens...you have to HELP make it happen. You have to till the garden, fertilize the soil, water the happy plants. Here were some of their thoughts on happy garden work and what research has shown what happy people do: - devote a great amount of time to nurturing and enjoying relationships. - are comfortable expressing gratitude to others. - are optimistic about their futures. - savor life's pleasures and try to live in the present moment. - make physical exercise a weekly and daily habit. - are committed to lifelong goals and ambitions. - have stresses and even tragedies, but are able to cope in the face of challenges. Happiness is a practice. Grab hold of it and tend your garden:)

Here are 12 researched strategies for sustainable happiness courtesy of "The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want" by Sonja Lyubomirsky:

1. Count your blessings. Express gratitude for what you have. 2. Cultivate optimism. Keep a journal and write about the best possible future for yourself. 3. Avoid overthinking and social comparison. Minimize dwelling on problems and comparing yourself to others. 4. Practice acts of kindness for friends or strangers. 5. Develop nurturing relationships. 6. Do more activities that truly engage you - activities in which you "lose" yourself. 7. Replay and savor life's joys. 8. Commit to your goals. Design them and pursue them. 9. Develop strategies for coping with stress, hardship or trauma. 10. Learn to forgive. Keep a journal or write a letter to let go of anger and resentment. 11. Practice religion and spirituality. 12. Take care of your body by engaging in phsycial activity, meditating, smiling and laughing.

Ready for a 3 Day Wellness Challenge that supports your body, mind, and spirit?

Click HERE and get started.

Peace.Love.JOY. :)