Every once in a while, we need just a little pick-me-up. Here are three easy ways to bring more joy to your day. All three can be done without much effort, and completed quickly. And, when these strategies are practiced in the long-term, they can reap huge benefits.
Need More Joy? Practice gratitude.
When I need a boost, I remind myself of all the wonderful things for which I am grateful. While practicing mindfulness can be challenging (but reaps huge benefits), quickly naming a few things that make you thankful might be one of the simplest ways to bring more joy to your day.
Need some resources to get you started? Check out my post on gratitude. Or, read up on Erin Dubich’s blog post on how to be specific with your gratitude lists. Here are a few questions to get you started:
-Who have I helped (or have helped me) this week?
-What events in my life have made me who I am today?
-Are there upcoming plans that make you excited?
-Which new experiences have challenged you recently?
Need More Joy? Brighten your thoughts.
It is so important to make sure your inner voice – those thoughts that pop up throughout the day – are respectful, optimistic, and soothing. Check in with yourself if you need more joy. Ask yourself, am I being kind to myself today? Amazing things will happen if you tell yourself positive things. For example, have you read The Help by Kathryn Stockett? One of my favorite parts of the book is when Aibileen (a maid) reminds Mae Mobley (a little girl) to tell herself: “you is kind, you is smart. you is important.”
And, as Buddha said:
“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.” -Buddha
Need More Joy? Take a look around.
One way to easily and quickly bring more joy to your day is to take a break. Get up for a short few minutes and take look around. If you can, go outside and look up at the sky. Remind yourself that life is happening all around you. Here are some fun ways to take a quick break:
-Make a quick cup of tea
-Take a walk
-Call a friend
-Take a few minutes to stretch
-Pull out your pencils or markers and color
I will conclude this post with a quote from Mother Teresa about joy:
“Joy is prayer; joy is strength; joy is love; joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.” -Mother Teresa
What do you do to bring just a little more joy to your day?
© 2017 Caitlin W Howe, LLC
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