10-Day Happiness Challenge
By Carol Phillips
Are you as happy as you’d like to be? Are you as happy as you need to be?
Happiness is not just a “that would be nice” component of our overall well-being. Living with a sense of contentment, joy, and fun are critical to keeping our mental and physical health in check. Otherwise, increased chronic stress and a sense of lack or doom will constantly put our health at risk.
Here’s a 10-Day Happiness Challenge that will put you in a much better position to prioritize wellness every day:
- Heal thyself. Working on healing past hurts is time well spent, as it often releases negative emotions, reduces stress, improves self-awareness, and fosters greater self-acceptance and compassion. When we address the wounds of the past and find ways to move beyond them, we can free ourselves from their grip, opening up space for joy, fulfillment, and positive experiences.
- Get your Zzzzzz’s. Sleep is the foundation of our overall health and wellness. Spend time ensuring you’re getting enough hours of sleep each night and eliminating anything that will keep you from getting into a comfortable, deep sleep (e.g., alcohol, lights from computers and cell phones, an old mattress, etc.).
- Practice gratitude. Focus on and appreciate all the good things in your life. This will help you create a more positive mindset and prevent you from missing the blessings all around you. Focusing on gratitude and positive thinking will take you to places you’ve only dreamed of and will help you separate yourself from unnecessary negativity.
- Seek joy. What and who brings you joy? Think of this habit as a treasure hunt. Is it a certain color, music, dancing, travel, or a new hobby? How about a spa day, alone or with a friend? Constantly be on the lookout for whatever sparks happiness in your brain, large or small, and bring it into your life more often.
- Surround yourself with positive, loving people. Continuously assess the people in your life who bring you an authentic feeling of emotional safety and support. Spend less (or no) time with people who try to steal your happiness through negative thinking, mind games, and abusive behaviors.
- Beware of what is in your control and what is not. Life is always changing and presenting us with various challenges. Learn to best handle the events that are in your control so your happiness is not jeopardized and learn to react well to events that are not in your control.
- Exercise daily. When you move enough to increase and maintain an elevated heart rate, your brain automatically releases “feel good” hormones that help to improve mood and reduce brain fog and the risk of depression.
- Giving back to the community helps us feel a sense of belonging and purpose. Choose volunteer work you feel passionate about to maximize your happiness and satisfaction.
- Practice mindfulness. Learn to live in the moment so you can “enjoy the now.” Push past events out of your thoughts and don’t waste time worrying about the future. Spend more time outdoors and let nature’s benefits invigorate you.
- Meditation is simply giving your brain and body a conscious break from everything! If you struggle with this amazing habit, start with just 10 seconds of breathing with your eyes closed and build from there. If you keep discovering the benefits, you will be more likely to enjoy meditating daily.
I encourage you to take the happiness challenge and make it a priority to seek joy and contentment in your life. Take a step toward a happier life today and see the positive changes it brings!
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Carol Phillips (“Coach Carol”) is an award-winning author, keynote speaker, and leadership coach. She’s the author of 52 Simple Ways to Health and Coach Carol’s Do-It-Yourself Health Coaching Guidebook. Carol is the founder of the Health Design Leadership program and host of the Health Design Leadership podcast. She can be reached through her website at www.HealthDesignLeadership.com