One of the first steps on the healing journey for many survivors is recognising and acknowledging that they deserve happiness in their lives and to actively pursue happiness. Despite what the fairy tales tell us, happiness does not appear by magic. Its not even something that happens to you. Its something you can cultivate. Some tips for cultivating happiness in your life, may include: * Have a sense of purpose: People who strive to meet a goal or fulfil a mission — whether its growing a garden, caring for children or studying something that inspires you — are happier than those who dont have such aspirations. Having a goal provides a sense of purpose, bolsters self-esteem and brings people together. What your goal is doesnt matter as much as whether the process of working toward it is meaningful to you. * Maintain healthy relationships: Surround yourself with happy people. Being around people who are content elevates your own mood. And by being happy yourself, you give something back to those around you. Although its easy to take the positive people in your life for granted, these relationships need nurturing. Let people know that you appreciate what they do for you or even just that youre glad theyre part of your life. Recognising when certain relationships are having a negative impact on you, and taking steps to correct it, can also greatly improve feelings of control and happiness. * Live in the present moment: Dont postpone joy waiting for a day when your life is less busy or less stressful. That day may never come. Instead, look for opportunities to savour the small pleasures of everyday life. Focus on the positives in the present moment, instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. * Practice gratitude: Gratitude is more than saying thank you. Its a sense of wonder, appreciation and, yes, thankfulness for life. Its easy to go through life without recognizing your good fortune. Often, it takes a serious illness or other tragic event to jolt people into appreciating the good things in their lives. Dont wait for something like that to happen to you. Make a commitment to practice gratitude. Each day identify at least one thing that enriches your life. When you find yourself thinking an ungrateful thought, try substituting a grateful one. For example, replace my sister forgot my birthday with my sister has always been there for me in tough times. Let gratitude be the last thought before you go to sleep. Let gratitude also be your first thought when you wake up in the morning. * Get support when you need it: If you are feeling overwhelmed, excessively stressed, or bogged down by other difficult emotions on an ongoing basis, it may be necessary to reach out for help. For people coping with a mental health condition such as depression, it can be especially difficult to experience feelings of happiness. Help may come in the form of support groups, trained mental health clinicians, doctors, and/or your own social network. If you would like to talk to someone, Bravehearts Information and Support Line can be reached on freecall: 1800 272 831
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 22:22:52 +0000
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