It’s that time again– Happy Black Girl Day!
According to an article on BlackDoctor.org, research from a Yale University study suggests that people with a sunnier outlook recover more quickly from illness and live longer (7.5 years on average) than people who have bleaker views.
Fortunately, there are ways to find happiness and satisfaction in our daily lives– even if life isn’t going exactly the way we want. Here are five ways:
- Share your happy thoughts. Tell your kids how great it is to spend time with them, or brag to your spouse about your boss’s unexpected compliment. Sharing happy memories and experiences with others (or just anticipating doing so) is one of the most powerful and effective ways to prolong and magnify joy. “It helps sustain emotions that would otherwise fade,” says Fred B. Bryant, Ph.D., a Loyola University Chicago social psychologist.
- Be proud of you. If you’ve been working out extensively to reach a fitness goal, for instance, share your success with others. Unfortunately, self-congratulation doesn’t come easily for a lot of us. “A lot of people have trouble basking in an accomplishment because they feel they shouldn’t toot their own horns or rest on their laurels,” Bryant says. Yes, it’s a fine line between joyous self-congratulation and shameless self-promotion, but don’t fret: You’ll know when you’re crossing the line.
- Compare downward. Instead of wishing for things you haven’t received yet, consider how things could be worse or how they use to be worse. Keep it light though– you don’t have to conjure up the details of a scary health diagnosis or revel in a friend’s job loss. Just take note: It could be that the day was sunny when rain was in the forecast, or you were able to leave work early instead of staying over like you usually do.
- Act happy. By putting on a happy face, even when you don’t feel like it, you encourage more happiness, says Bryant. Laugh out loud at a funny movie, or smile at yourself whenever you pass a mirror.
- Say ‘Thank you’ more often. Bryant suggests developing an “attitude of gratitude.” Identify what you’re happy about– even the little things like finding the motivation to work out or doing some research for a business you want to start– and recognize its source. It’s not always necessary to outwardly show your gratitude (you can create a gratitude journal, for instance), but saying ‘thanks’ to someone or to God/the universe expands your happiness by making you more aware of it.
For five more ways, visit my source, 10 Things All Happy People Know.
Photo Credit: parentsconnect.com
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