What a life it would be where all around you is just happiness, laughter, and tears of joy? Well, is it even possible? Not really. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t try to stay happy all the time. Life gives you a fair share of happiness, sadness, tears, and laughter. Nothing is constant but isn’t this the beauty of life. If you were always to laugh, you would soon lose the joy and stop anticipating it. If it weren’t for sadness, you wouldn’t have been able to feel happy either and vice versa.
So, sadness is not something terrible, but if you continuously feel sad and fail to see the happiness and joy surrounding you, you need to work on yourself. The best way to do that is to consult the best psychologist in Lahore. Till then, these simple tips that will teach you how to be happy are here to help.
Always Smile
Even if you don’t feel like it, always smile. You must think that you smile only when you are happy, but it is a two-way street—smiling causes the brain to release dopamine which makes you happier. Dopamine often called the happy hormone, is released when your brain is expecting a reward. So reward yourself daily, in fact, hourly.
This does not mean that you have to keep smiling at everything and anything making a fool of yourself. But the next time you feel low, force out a smile and see what happens. Smile at yourself when in front of a mirror, and greet others with a warm smile. Why keep all the joy to yourself?
Sleep
Sleep might be a sign of laziness and sometimes depression, but there is no denying that it is extremely important to maintain good mental and physical health. You are bound to feel irritated and cranky if hadn’t had a good night’s sleep. Usually, adults need 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Keep in mind that whenever you get random sleepy episodes, your by is telling you that it is sleep-deprived, and trust me, listening to it might not be that wrong.
Keep in mind that different people have different reactions to sadness. Some might sleep for a whole day to make themselves feel better, and some might fail to sleep even for an hour because they can’t seem to stop thinking. So to regulate these abnormal behaviors, you should follow these simple tips.
- Maintain regular sleep-wake timings.
- Dedicate a “quiet hour” to your before-bed activities. Take a bath, inhale in some soothing scents, listen to meditating music, read a novel, or just meditate.
- Make your bedroom quiet and dark.
- Spend some on a soft pillow and a good mattress. Comfort actually makes you sleep well.
- Avoid taking random naps. Limit your power nap time to just 20 minutes.
Eat Well
Who doesn’t know that food brings you happiness? Doesn’t a bucket of cheese fries bring the brightest smile to your face? Well, it does on mine, and I am sure that to many others too. Foods not only affect your physical health but your mental health too. It’s not just the momentary happiness that food gives, but scientifically, what you eat improves your cognitive and emotional health.
For instance, the carbohydrates and sugar you eat release serotonin. Serotonin is a “feel-good” hormone that can make you instant happiness. But keep in mind that too much sugar is bad for your overall health. So it is better to stick to complex carbohydrates and whole grains. Similarly, proteins release dopamine and norepinephrine, which boost energy concentration and mood.
You will be surprised to know that highly processed, packaged, and deep-fried food will leave you feeling down. So the happiness you associate with it is only momentary. You can also watch movies in your free time. Watching your favorite videos can positively impact your health.
Breathe Deep
With tense shoulders, knotted muscles, and a wrinkled forehead, you feel as though you just might lose it all. I know, we all have been through it. Next time you are in such a situation, take a long deep breath and calm yourself down. It is scientifically proven that deep breathing exercises can reduce stress. the best way to breathe to calm yourself down is to
- Close your eyes and envision a happy moment.
- Take a deep, slow breath through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth.
- Repeat this process daily.
Such exercises are an essential part of yoga that ensures optimal mental and physical health.
Acknowledge The Unhappy Moments
Bad things happen to everyone, and there is no harm in acknowledging them. A positive attitude is generally good but brushing everything be under the carpet is not the way to go. Always lend a thought and some time to something terrible that happens. This will help you get closure, and your bad experiences will not haunt you for the rest of your life. You don’t always have to pretend to be happy. Invest your thought and time in bad experiences and look for the cause of it so that you may avoid them in the future.
Consult a Psychologist
All other tips aside and this one aside, this will still weigh more. If you really want to lead a happy and normal life, consult with the best psychologist in Lahore through Marham.pk. A professional will help you channel your energies and thoughts in a better way.