Down in the dumps? Holiday blues? A lot of us feel more down in the winter season, especially around the holiday season. This time of year is naturally more stressful. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, the general feeling in the air revolves around financial stress, what gifts to buy or will we be able to buy, or planning get togethers with people we do or do not usually see. That being said, why not take those extra steps to be happier and reduce stress as much as possible. Here is a list of tips to help bring about a happier mood.
Enjoy the moment. Look around your environment and take note of one thing that you need to appreciate more, and maybe that you do take for granted. Bring mindful attention and awareness to it. Notice the positive feelings and associations that go with it.
Practice non-judgmental awareness of yourself and others. Take the time to notice when you are and are not judging yourself or others around you. We often do it without noticing, even if it is just a mental note when someone walks by. If someone is short with you, don’t follow suit. Just remember when you are having a bad day, and accept that this person may be experiencing a loss (job, person) or some other negative event in their life.
Connect with others. Since this is a stressful time of year, positive influences can only help. Think about some positive people in your life that you have been procrastinating to see. Connect with them. Even if you feel down, you will most likely feel happier after reconnecting. There is at least one person who makes you feel good and who you know you enjoy spending time with.
Resolve conflicts. This time of year can be emotional and upsetting for a lot of people, especially if ties have been broken or relationships have ended. Take the time to repair these relationships. Be the bigger person: forgive someone or apologize to someone that hurt you in the past. Chances are, they are feeling the same way.
Make your health a priority. Exercise, eat healthy when you can, sleep at least 7 hours per night, be kind to yourself, and develop good boundaries. If you’ve been meaning to get to the gym, and keep procrastinating, just do it! Take little steps. Whether it’s a 5 minute workout or a 30 minute workout, something is better than nothing! (And you’ll probably stay for longer than you thought you would, once you get your gear on).
Be thankful and express your love. Make a phone call, meet with someone, or write them a nice letter. Show your appreciation for others. Why not brighten someone else’s day?
Focus on the good. If you find yourself to be more down than usual, write down or take pictures of 2-3 good things that happen each day. This will remind you to think more positively, and consequently, to be happier!
Have fun and laugh. Stop being so serious! Laughter has many physical, mental, and emotional health benefits. Whether it is watching a movie, talking to someone that makes you laugh, or just reminiscing about a funny memory, laughing will increase your happiness.
Simplify. Too many things, too many to do lists, and too many unattainable goals lead to a very complex life. Complex lives mean stress and unhappiness. Try to simplify your life by having more realistic expectations and standards for yourself, your job performance, and in your relationships.
Live an authentic and meaningful life. Be true to yourself and live in line with your values. Don’t fall accustom to someone else’s values and someone else’s way of living. You define and create your own happiness!