Thanksgiving is the perfect holiday to assess our lives and truly feel grateful for what we are blessed with. In life you can look at things two ways: Lucky to have it, or entitled to have it. When we choose appreciation over indifference and arrogance, it’s hard to stay miserable. It is said that you cannot be unhappy and grateful at the same time. Our perception moulds our entire world, so simply by altering the way in which we view something can completely change our ideology.
Having an attitude of gratitude is a mindset which should be carried through to every part of your life journey. It’s a state of mind that will keep you humble, happy and human. There really is so much we should be thankful for, so what about you? What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving?
If you’re struggling along the gratitude road, try these happiness hacks.
Happiness Hack N°1
An attitude of gratitude
Practicing an attitude of gratitude will not only make you like yourself and your life more, others will magnetise towards that positivity, creating a healthy foundation for any relationship to bloom.
Happiness Hack N°2
Giving
Giving is the ultimate gift that keeps on giving.
Did you know? When you give to another person, there’s a physiological response.
Science tells us that giving releases the same amount of ‘feel good’ chemicals as receiving. It’s actually been compared to the ‘high’ experienced during and after exercise. The effects are estimated to last up to two hours after the act.
This is why the ‘Pay It Forward’ tagline is so contagious, because when someone gives, it makes the recipient want to recreate that sensation again, both within themselves and in others. Generosity and acts of kindness are what keeps the world from crumbling into calculated chaos.
Happiness Hack N°3
Empathy
When we feel detached or indifferent about people and their experiences, it can be a numbing cycle. It’s understandable too. Caring is draining, right? Especially if you care too much. Though it doesn’t have to be. As with anything in life, there is a balance that has to occur in order for relationships to remain healthy. A major part of our humanity is our ability to be genuinely empathetic. If we lose that vital empathy, we lose our happiness along with it.
There are two major components of happiness: Hedonia, which is pleasure. A spike of enjoyment. Think sex, good conversation, an impulse buy, or a delicious meal. Then there’s Eudaimonia, which is meaning and purpose. Eudaimonia is felt and accumulated through personal growth, self-acceptance, life goals, and deep friendships.
Without empathy, we cannot develop a proper bond in any deep relationship where love is fostered. So keep in touch with your empathy and remember that every human being is going through their own struggles.
Happiness Hack N°4
Putting experiences above material things
The fancy life is both tempting and addictive, but that is not where Eudaimonia is achieved. The most wonderful gift we can give to ourselves and others, is the opportunity to expand our mind through life experiences. We cannot ever expect to grow to our full potential without experiencing all that we possibly can. So when faced with the dilemma of saving for the new iPhone, or travelling to a new country, choose the latter.
”Material things make you happy temporarily, but emotional things can make you happy for a lifetime.”
– Sonya Parks
Happiness Hack N°5
Acts of courage
To me, this is the most fascinating of all, because no matter what your current fears are, no matter how irrational they may be, if you can overcome them, even just in one small way, happiness will start flooding in. When we take steps to overcome what holds us back, it’s an accomplishment that produces satisfaction on such an instinctual level, that it’s probably the most powerful hack of all.
Feeling fear is a form of stress, and when we subject ourselves to prolonged bouts of fear (stress), we’re harming our bodies. All the diseases related to long-term stress apply to anyone who lives in a state of fear. Fear can latch itself on for a number of reasons and in all sorts of ways. Fear of failure, irrational phobias, PTSD, fear of being alone, insecurities and regular feelings of despair and anguish.
If we cannot overcome these fears, we cannot move forward to a place of peace and happiness. It’s up to us to muster the strength to keep fighting, if we want to live a life worth living.
Sources: Happify, BulletProof Blog
Get qualified as a Holistic Therapist
Our home-study courses are designed for anyone wanting to enhance their CV, discover their calling, change their career or simply learn something new and become qualified.
Is home study for me?
The answer is yes if:
- You are computer literate on the most basic levels (if you’re reading this article you’re already savvy enough.)
- You’d prefer not spending time and money on commuting costs.
- You don’t want the extra expense and inconvenience of heavy, overpriced textbooks.
- You’re physically unable to leave your house or travel distances, but still want quality learning options.
- You want to expand your knowledge and broaden your horizons.
- You don’t want to deal with a traditional schooling environment.
- You prefer independent study than a lecture-led study.
- You absorb information better when you’re comfortable and relaxed.
- You don’t like the idea of “going back to school,” yet you want to become qualified.
- You have responsibilities and need to fit your studies around your own schedule.
- You’re attracted to the convenience of home study and think further education would benefit your life.
Keeping with our mindful attitude of gratitude, we’d like to extend the baton of knowledge with our Meditation, Mindfulness, Professional Relaxation Therapy and Hypnotherapy courses. All of our courses carry internationally-recognised diplomas and entitle you to practice as a therapist upon successful completion.
