An hour a day keeps the blues away how to really spread holiday cheer.
The other day I took my love to see Pippin for his birthday. Big mistake not that the show wasn’t wonderful but we were in the middle of Times Square with hundreds of tourists shuffling along. Basically a New Yorker nightmare. I needed a blast of happiness fast! Especially because I haven’t done my holiday shopping yet and I am heading into more crowds. So I started to research the most effective ways to forget your troubles and get happy! This is what I found.
Touch do a power hug for 6 seconds it releases oxytocin the brain stimulating your reward center. And yes scientists actually timed it to 6 seconds. Don’t you just love precision? Also pats, taps, holding hands are good get touch worthy.
The next one is harder for a New Yorker and longer. It is the preverbial nature walk, for one hour. The walk serves two purposes. There are a few things you get from this the most obvious is exercise. The second is that nature can distract you. It is a meditation of seeking beauty and delighting the senses. When you fill up your mind with this it stops you from having negative thoughts and images. I do envy people in Colorado who have amazing mountains but I can always catch a bird or two in the city. When you choose to look for something you usually find it. Adjust the lens you walk with and you may find pleasure in everyday things.
Put a little imagination in what you wear! Now I have to tell you the research draws a hard line it says dress up. But I am happiest in blue jeans. So my compromise is to add something to my sweater/blue jean uniform. I do have favorite items and certain jewelry make me feels special.
And here comes the cliché smile! When we smile our brain is tricked into experience a better mood. Why? Smiling is interpreted by the brain as happiness. So when you pull on those facial muscles it is an instruction to the brain that things are going well. A word of caution, start with a grin and turn it into a small smile. Bearing your teeth into a grimace will get you nowhere.
Music really can sooth the savage beast! But you have to choose happy music (no gangsta rap) and you need to concentrate on listening to it. If it is just background noise it will not have an effect.
Pay it forward. Random acts of kindness really do brighten you day. Not only do you give joy you receive it with the serotonin flood that will flood your brain. In fact, people get more joy ( and serotonin) from giving than receiving. Also people like other people more when they have a chance to help them. Want someone to like you ask for help! How’s that for an oxymoron?
The internet is great for a fast catch up and a quick poke. But is not a substitute for talking to a friend. Even if it is just to chat. Again an hour a day to keep up with friends and family will change your outlook. Loneliness is a terrible feature of being alive. If you reach out regularly it will hit with less intensity when you do feel it