31 Ways to Appreciate the Present and Feel Happier Now
“Start with the place you are in. Make the most of what you have. Do the best that you can. The name Arthur Ashe
Isn’t it aggravating how this keeps happening?
You have a fantasy of living a life in which you have more freedom—where your employment feeds your mind and soul, where your house is neat and tidy, and where you have plenty of time to work out and eat healthily.
It’s not that the way things are right now are terrible, but you find yourself wishing you had more time to devote to the activities that bring you joy.
However, when you think about making significant changes, your heart rate increases, and you tell yourself that now is not the ideal moment to make such changes.
You keep looking forward to the big day when you’ll finally be able to make the significant adjustment that will bring you happiness.
You’re squandering your time, that’s for sure.
The source of our capacity to experience happiness is inside us, and not in the circumstances around us. It is not necessary to give up your career, relocate to an exotic area, or reduce your weight in order to find happiness. You have the ability to express joy right now.
I’ve grown much better over the years at ensuring that the things I do in my life are in line with the mission I was meant to fulfill.
I am a yoga instructor at my own studio. I had the presumption that doing this would make me happy one hundred percent of the time, but occasionally I get sidetracked.
My mind wanders to trivial matters such as our disorganized home and the never-ending list of tasks involved in operating a yoga studio. I tend to lose sight of the bigger picture.
I am unable to recall all that I own. I become in a bad mood and start to criticize everything.
I have to put an end to this downward spiral and rediscover the source of my joy. It might take a few minutes, hours, or even days, but I employ these mini-habits to assist me in getting where I want to go.
They are very portable and cost very little, if anything.
You are able to get started right away, regardless of the circumstances. The following routines will assist you in projecting an air of confidence, smiling from the heart, and standing a little higher than before.
To Help Your Thinking
1. Take several long, slow breaths
Ten times, take a full breath in and then let it out fully. Slowing your thoughts, relaxing your nervous system, and drawing you closer to your own intuition are all benefits of practicing deep breathing.
2. Train your mind to think differently by repeating a mantra
The term “sha” comes from the Sanskrit root word “shanti,” which means “peace.” Repeat the word “sham” as slowly as you can ten to twenty times. Mantras are chants that combine sound, breath, and rhythm in order to relax the mind and nervous system.
This is accomplished by channeling the flow of energy via the mind-body circuit.
3. Zone out
Take a moment or two to let your mind wander. Your prefrontal cortex is continually engaged in forward-looking activities such as planning, evaluating, and thinking about the future.
You’ll feel much better if you take a break from everything for a little while and simply let yourself be.
4. Express your affection
Send a loved one a message or just tell them how much you value and respect them.
The expression of happy feelings has been shown to reduce levels of stress hormones, “bad” cholesterol, and blood pressure while also boosting immunity.
5. Rejuvenate your mind
Put a momentary pause between your eyelids. What do you see when you close your eyes and let your thoughts wander into the shadows?
Take note of any trends that emerge. This is a straightforward meditation that can invigorate your worn-out mind and help it to redirect its attention.
6. Learn about aromas that are therapeutic
Certain plants, including rosemary, lavender, and sage, have the ability to lift our spirits. Make your own natural spa with some elbow grease.
Place some of your preferred essential oils and a small amount of water in a spray bottle.
7. Trade an idea with someone
Create a list of the good qualities and characteristics that you possess. Refer to this list the next time you find yourself being critical of yourself.
If you continue in this pattern, you will notice a change in the way you talk to yourself internally.
8. Give yourself permission to just be
Acknowledge and accept all of your sentiments about the current scenario. They are correct, regardless of whether or not you agree with them.
The first step in achieving a happy state of mind is to accept the circumstances in which you find yourself.
9. Meditation on loving-kindness or compassion
The cultivation of pleasant emotions via acts of loving-kindness leads to an improvement in both awareness and a sense of purpose in one’s life.
Take a few moments out of your day to allow thoughts of love and compassion for another person to wash over you.
10. Meditate
When thoughts arise, bring your attention back to your breathing without passing judgment.
Practicing deep breathing may make you feel better by reducing the amount of tension in your body and helping to clear your thoughts.
11. Remove the clutter from one area
Clear one surface or region of its clutter. It’s simpler to get things going slowly.
However, when both your house and workplace are devoid of clutter, you will experience a sense of mental expansion.
To Help Your Body
12. Try to keep your cool
At least once a day, chuckle at your own foolishness. If you make a mistake, try to find the funny side of the situation.
Laughter is one of the best medicines since it not only lifts your mood but also reduces tension and stress.
13. Give your body some stretching
Are you taking a seat somewhere? Get your back away from the desk. After taking a deep breath in, lean forward as you exhale and bring your ribcage closer to your thighs.
Take a few deep breaths. Get out of your head and into your body so that you can focus on the here and now.
14. Extend your breath as much as you can
Keep one hand on the back of the chair and focus on taking deep, calm breaths. Because of this, your rib cage and lungs become more accessible, enabling you to take deeper breaths.
Because more oxygen is reaching your brain, you will have a sense of vigor and alertness.
15. Give a massage to your own body
Applying oil to your skin in the form of coconut oil or sesame oil, massaging it over your whole body, and then following up with a warm shower can assist your skin in absorbing the oil.
The Indian subcontinent makes widespread use of this at-home spa therapy. Touch has a relaxing effect, and you may experience its advantages even if you don’t spend money on massages.
16. Take yourself a hot bath
Unwind and allow yourself to succumb to the blissful simplicity that is a warm bath. Turn on some of your favorite tunes as you light some candles.
Relax and rejuvenate your body with this simple practice. Why daydream about moving away when you can make your house a relaxing place to be right now?
17. Bring your hands to rest on top of your closed eyes
Your eyes and mind will both benefit from this. This is particularly beneficial if you are experiencing weariness or a headache at the same time.
18. Participate in a Yoga Nidra session (Yoga Sleep)
Spend the first 10 minutes of this time totally relaxing every area of your body, and then go on to the next portion.
The effectiveness of this magical technique is comparable to that of having a longer snooze.
19. Pay undivided attention when you are eating
Put away any and all screens you have. Notice all of the many flavors and sensations that your food has to offer.
Because of this, your digestion will improve, and you’ll also experience an increase in relaxation.
20. Get daily physical activity
even if you just have a short amount of time. Stretching or going for a stroll outdoors simply takes five minutes of your time.
It is better for your health to engage in shorter bouts of exercise throughout the day rather than one longer workout once per week.
21. Hug someone or something
such as your close buddy, your beloved pet, or even yourself. A relaxing and peaceful touch is soothing to the skin.
To Satisfy Your Spirit
22. Come to a complete stop and pay attention
Can you hear the birds chirping? horns blasting? Are those voices I hear? Take note of the environment around you right now and open your eyes to the beauty that is occurring right in front of your own eyes.
You’ll have a more positive outlook on the circumstances around you.
23. Make a mini-gratitude list
What are three events that occurred over the previous twenty-four hours that deserve a place on your list?
It has been shown that cultivating an attitude of thankfulness may lead to increased happiness, improved health, and a longer lifespan.
24. Express gratitude for the food you’ve been given
Expressing gratitude for having sufficient resources will bring to your attention how much you already possess. Keep in mind that eight million individuals do not have access to sufficient food to live a life that is both healthy and active.
25. Get outdoors and unplug
Spend some time away from your digital gadgets in the great outdoors. Take note of the little aspects of your environment, such as the flowers, the trees, and even the ants that are crawling down the pavement.
Because of this, you will experience feelings of serenity and composure.
26. Schedule some time to get out with your pals
Participating in meaningful relationships is one of the most important factors in a long life. Set a weekly meeting.
Take a stroll together, have a cup of tea, or just take some time to appreciate each other’s company.
27. Listen
Pay attention to what other people have to say. If you give your firm your whole attention and participation, they will show their gratitude to you in kind.
28. Show affection to your “four-legged companions”
They have the potential to be our closest confidants and demonstrate unwavering devotion.
Petting a dog may boost your mood and even make your heart stronger, so if you’re feeling down, try spending some time doing it.
29. Look around you and find anything stunning that is found in nature
Take a bud, a leaf, a branch, or a piece of fruit. Bring to mind all of the amazing natural features that are now in your immediate vicinity.
It is so simple to be blind to the beauty that exists in the here and now.
30. Take a mini-vacation
I try to make it a habit to have a lunchtime picnic with my kids and our dog at least once a week. We let our minds wander and enjoyed listening to the birds.
Take a break from your hectic life to spend some quality time with loved ones who contribute significantly to your overall pleasure.
31. Give a little bit
Bring tin cans of food with you in case anyone begs for it. Make sure to make eye contact.
Recognize the shared humanity that exists in each and every individual you come into contact with, beginning right in your own neighborhood.
The Mystery That Will Unlock All Of Your Happiness And Success
Your level of contentment is not determined by factors such as where you reside, how much weight you carry, or what you do for a living.
Appreciating what you have right now is one of the most important steps toward achieving happiness. Change is something that piques our interest from time to time.
But a single alteration, regardless of how significant it is, is not going to turn pain into happiness.
The way you think may be significantly altered by making even minute improvements to the ways in which you value yourself, the people you care about, and the environment around you.
Take a few examples from each of the categories. Put them into writing. Stick them to your mirror so that you see them first thing in the morning and are reminded.
Put the events in your calendar at the appropriate times. This daily reminder will trigger your memory, even if it just takes five minutes out of your day.
Don’t forget to take a deep breath and enjoy the wonderful scent of the jasmine flower that is growing right in front of you.
Ahh, doesn’t that smell delicious?
