10 Keys to Happiness

How often do you find yourself smiling during your day? Do you inspire people with your actions and words? How would your friends describe you?

Are you a happy person?

I wish everyone in this world could live a happy life. A life with value and meaning. When we are truly happy, our brain releases Serotonin — a chemical responsible for increasing feelings of happiness. Being hapy is the best medicine for a healthy life.

I know what it feels like to be truly broken and unhappy. What I’ve learned is that life is far too short to spend it being sad. I made the choice to put my own happiness first, and left my family. I was brought up in an abusive home with trauma and suffering.

When I started again and lived my life the way I wanted to, I saw the world for the first time. My future became bright with laughter and happiness.

Here are 10 key ideas to inject more happiness into your life:

1. A positive outlook. Having a positive mental attitude in life can lead to opportunities that you might overlook. When you are happy, you look for opportunities and attract people. Have you noticed that when you smile, most people will give you a smile in return.

2. Patting an animal can greatly benefit our happiness and overall health. Our brains release a substance called Oxytocin which has been named “the cuddle hormone.” When we look after animals, we feel happy and content.

3. Happiness is a natural stress reliever. There was a film called “Patch Adams,” that I watched when I was a kid. The film is based on a true story about a doctor who went around the hospital wards and introduced laughter and humors to his patients. Those patients recovered quicker than the ones who were miserable while recovering.

4. Dress the way you want to feel. Many people wear black and grey all the time. How about mixing it up with a floral dress, or a happy tie color if you wear a suit to the office? Notice how people look at you when you wear something unexpected. I can guarantee that you will get nice reactions to a bright yellow tie. There may even be some jokes.

5. Do a good deed for someone. Have you noticed how you feel after doing something for another person? It doesn’t have to be a big thing, simply holding the door for someone juggling the grocery bags can make us feel happy and content because we made a difference in someone’s life.

6. Get a good night’s sleep. It goes to show that we are not working at our best when we are feeling tired. A good night’s sleep will enable you to function well and see positive nuances in your day like remembering ideas.

7. Surround yourself with happy people. Being with people that are similar to you will not only make you happier. The people that have your back can boost you and cheer you on when you are having a tough day. Having a community around you for support can make such a difference.

8. Listen to music / play sports. Having fun in our free time can boost your overall health and happiness.

9. Reduce time on social media. Instead spend your time with real people and notice the difference in your body.

10. Spend time outdoors. Nature is proven to increase our happiness.

Your body will thank you for putting yourself first on a regular basis. I can guarantee that you will start feeling less tense and more at ease within yourself.

I know how important self-care can be, because without it, who will run your life?

My name is Lizzy. I’m a trauma survivor, a wife, a mom, a teacher, and an author.

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For more about me: www.elizabethwoodsauthor.com

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