Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

It’s the New Year and what better way to start off the year than by getting happy and improving your life. For years, practiced ways to improve my life and direct it on a simpler path. When the going gets tough, I get going with these trusty practices that always help me refocus on my ultimate goals – being a happier, healthier person.

Here are a few simple but powerful actions you can take that have certainly helped me over the years.

Exercise more. This has totally changed my life and as a bonus, I look and feel better. You probably already know that exercise is better than tranquilizers for relieving anxiety and stress. Not only does exercise provide its own stress reduction and feelings of well-being, but the sense of well-being actually lasts well beyond the exercise itself.

Sleep more. We have become a nation of sleep-deprived citizens. I find myself less sensitive to negative emotions when I’ve had enough rest. Rest equals recharging your creativity and energy. Getting into bed at 8 p.m. with a great book and turning the light out an hour later, or even just taking a quality nap in the afternoon, can do more for your mood than any number of bubble baths or massages.

Go outside. Whenever I get a chance and the weather is nice I like to eat outside as well as walk. When you’re layered properly, you can enjoy the outdoors in all of its beautiful seasons. There are some fun and healthy outdoor activities available during the rainy or cold months, too. These days, we have even less interaction with nature, but it may be when we need it the most!

Help others. A popular New Year’s resolution is to volunteer, something that can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or as big a project as building a house, there are always nonprofit organizations that want and could really use your help. If your time is in short supply, why not just clean out your clutter? Donate your old furniture, clothing, and other household items you no longer need, rather than leaving them in basements and attics to collect dust, or out by the curb to fill up our landfills.

Practice smiling. Fake it until you make it! Life is always going to have its low points, but being able to laugh them off and not take things too seriously always helps lighten the mood.

Move closer to work. Even though I live in the mountains, I’m only 17 minutes away from my office. Knowing at the end of a hard day that I have only a short distance to go is comforting. Plus I save the stress of being in traffic, wear and tear on my vehicle, and have more time to do the things I enjoy – like ride my horse, or take a walk in nature.

Spend time with family and friends – don’t regret it on your deathbed. Getting the family together can sometimes be hectic but after it’s all said and done, it’s all worth getting together. I still have friends from my childhood as well as high school, these good friends are hard to find. Pick up the phone for a simple conversation or say, “I’m in town, let’s have lunch.” This gets you out of yourself and into someone else’s world.

Practice gratitude. When was the last time you said “thank you” with all your heart? Sometimes I forget that I have so much to be grateful for. A true attitude of gratitude is a key to success in any part of our lives. Listing daily all that I’m grateful for keeps me in a positive state of gratitude.

Meditation. My last step to improve happiness in my life is meditation – or clearing your mind and calming yourself down. For 30 minutes each day, I slow down to think, plan, and visualize. I have become aware of my biggest opportunities, smartest activities, and greatest tactics for growth. With this amount of insight and clarity, I can take actions that will drive excellent results. Really commit to making it your breakthrough year and know you’ll have to slow down for a bit each day to accomplish this. Then you’ll be perfectly prepared to speed up and win.

These practices have improved both my personal and professional lives, and help me become happier and healthier every day – even on the bad days. Let them do the same for you. Just sayin’.

Published: New Mexico Apartment News Magazine – Jan/Feb issue 2016