1. Practice Mindfulness
Half the time, we don’t even know what we’re thinking or how we’re feeling. That’s because
we let our minds operate on autopilot. It’s time to take control of your mind. Be aware of
what and how you feel throughout the day. The upside to this practice is that you can detect
negative emotions right on the onset and quickly change them and their corresponding
feeling.
Feelings of anger, jealousy, hatred; they are not good for the mind, soul, or the body. Paying
close attention to the spectrum of emotions you experience throughout the day, will help
you detect the negative ones and kick them away before they fester deep enough to take
away your happiness and emotional health.
2. Stay Physically Active
As you engage in physical activities, your brain produces a whole bunch of feel-good
hormones such as endorphins and dopamine. These hormones are what causes the ‘elated’
or ‘euphoric’ feeling. Being physically active uplifts your mood and your outlook towards
life. It readies you to take the challenges more head-on instead of becoming overwhelmed
by the littlest of inconvenience.
You are better able to analyze tough situations and take a more proactive rather than a
reactive approach. It’s no question physical health is in direct proportion with emotional
health. A healthy mind resides in a healthy body and vice versa.
“Caring for the mind is as important and crucial as caring for the body. In
fact, one cannot be healthy without the other.” – Sid Garza-Hillman
3. Get Sufficient Sleep
Ever noticed how you feel depressed and cranky, and just out of focus the day you fail to get
a good night’s sleep? Well, if you fail to get sufficient sleep for a couple of days, you are
bound to feel more depressed, cranky and eventually more prone to a host of negative
emotions. Research shows that sleep deprivation sends amygdala – our brain’s emotional
response center into overdrive.
Amygdala controls our immediate emotional responses. When it becomes overactive, we
become more reactive rather than active. We become more irritable, angry and anxious. A
good night’s sleep is vital to improving your emotional wellbeing.
4. Develop a New Hobby
Learn to swim. Try arts and crafts. How about painting? Swimming is a ‘happy’ activity. You
get to make new friends and stay fit. Arts and crafts, as we all know, tends to have a relaxing
effect on the mind and the nerves.
Just the process of creating something from scratch makes you confident and gets those
creative juices flowing. Similarly, painting helps you express yourself. All these factors
together create a ‘happy you’. The one who likes to engage in new things instead of
resisting change or difficult situations.
5. Eat Healthy
Ever heard of the phrase, “You are what you eat”? Well, it’s true to the last syllable. When
you eat foods rich in salt, sodium, fat – you are bound to feel lethargic. It takes longer for
the body to digest such foods. That means the body is forced to deprive organs of blood and
use it for the digestion purpose.
Result? You become lazy, moody, not ready to take any responsibility which leads to feeling
cranky and irritable. On the other hand, eating fibrous vegetables, fruits, salads, and
complex sugars keeps you upbeat and healthy.
6. Laugh Your Heart Out
Laughter is the best medicine. That is why they have a dedicated ‘laughter session’ in yoga
studios. You don’t even have to mean it. The simple act of spreading your cheeks and
pretending to laugh sends a signal to your body that you are happy.
And what happens when you are happy? Your brain releases happy hormones like
dopamine, serotonin and what not. In fact, many studies have gone so far as to stipulate
that laughter alone is capable of treating all kinds of physical ailments. Why should
emotional ailments be any different?
7. Try Relaxation Techniques
‘’Visualization technique’’ where you imagine yourself in a happy place is a surefire way to
calm your nerves if you find yourself distressed. You may also try praying to elate yourself.
Praying is good for the mind and the soul.
Controlled breathing or ‘biofeedback technique’ are some other relaxation techniques that
can tame how you feel and even your bodily functions. Try surrounding yourself with
aromatherapy or scented candles because the smell is a big factor in governing how we feel.
“Positive emotional energy is the key to health, happiness and
wellbeing. The more positive you are, the better your life will be in every
area.” – Brian Tracy
8. Listen to yourself
This is not about all the thoughts that run in your mind or the transient opinions you have
about things. Listening to yourself means listening to your true voice. When you feel that
someone is taking advantage of you, don’t let politeness stop you from standing up for
yourself.
When you get that gut feeling that something is not right or something is really right, trust
yourself. You might already be aware of what you want and where you should be going, but
voices that are not yours could be overpowering your true one. Clear out the noise, connect
to your heart and listen to yourself.
Focus on what truly matters to you and give yourself that. Invest your time in things that
hold meaning to you.
Credit: Addicted to Success