How do you get back to your happy place when you feel overwhelmed with all that’s going on?
I recently read about the medieval practice of torturing people by being “drawn and quartered”
This outdated technique, which was intended to inflict great amounts of pain on its victims by pulling their bodies in different directions, has long since been put to rest in dusty museums and the occasional medieval fantasy epic.
Yet, here I am.
A woman, wife, mother, and professional, who at times, feels like I am being pulled in multiple directions at once. As I juggle all the demands of life, I often find myself feeling rather overwhelmed at times.
And I am sure I am not alone.
Studies worldwide are showing a disturbing trend of growing unhappiness and depression in people. If fact, the World Health Organization now considers depression a worldwide epidemic.
A moment of sad silence for Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade.
While true depression needs help from a medical professional, there are obviously going to be some periods in our lives where we all feel the blues or just aren’t happy.
Here are ten tips to help you get back to your happy place
Laugh
Laughter is great medicine and can boost our moods while reducing stress. Take time to laugh by talking with friends, watching funny movies, streaming a comedian’s act, or tuning into a favorite sitcom to find a few laughs. Even “forced” laughter can be beneficial.
Get physical
Take a cue from Olivia Newton-John and turn up the romance in your life. You don’t need some stylin’ 1980’s fashion to make this a reality, just a little affection and cuddling. According to researchers, this is the perfect combo to score some greater feelings of happiness. So, turn the lights down low and cuddle up to your partner.
Exercise
Contrary to popular belief, exercise can make us happy. Science has found people who get up and move tend to be happier than when they are still. And, you don’t have to run marathons to see this positive side effect. Gently walking and other simple movements are enough exercise to boost a person’s happiness.
Indulge in self-care
Stress and exhaustion is all work and no play. This can make us less productive, emotionally depleted, and on the verge of emotional collapse. It can also lead to insomnia, anxiety, depression, and heart disease. Set aside time to practice self-care with small daily breaks, soaking in a hot bath, driving with the windows down, listening to your favorite song, journaling, calling your mom, or doing a quick meditation so you can stay healthy and regain your mojo. Ergo, your happy place.
Tap into some flower power
Studies have found that being in green spaces can improve your level of happiness and there is also a strong correlation between viewing flowers and improved moods. Pick up a bouquet today or head to your local park for a little green therapy.
Surround yourself with others who are positive and optimistic
Happiness is contagious and being around others who smile at life will naturally boost your own levels of joy. Studies found a person’s group of friends can affect their happiness levels. Find friends that laugh, smile, and enjoy life.
Live in the moment
It’s no secret that life gets busy. When you are feeling overwhelmed make a conscious decision to focus solely on the moment. Don’t worry about your to-do list or what you are going to make for dinner. Enjoy the sound of your child’s laughter, feel the warmth of the sunlight on your skin, and relish this time.
Look for the silver linings
Take a little inspiration from this quote, “Every day might not be good, but there is good in every day.” Instead of getting down when things don’t go right, turn around your thoughts and look for a positive or silver lining every day. Learn how to tame negative thoughts. Practice gratitude. Surprisingly, you might start to notice there is a lot of good in your life and this will eventually lead to more positive thinking. Research has found this strategy helps with the ability to cope with stress and build resilience.
While social media is a great way to reconnect with friends and family, too much of a good thing can have negative effects on our happiness. Give yourself permission to step away or limit your time online to boost your happiness. Sometimes you have to disconnect to connect to return to your happy place.
Take action
There is a wide misconception that happiness is a trait we are born with. While there is some genetic disposition to our personalities, we can control at least 40 percent of our happiness. Instead of being a victim, make a choice to be happy. Do one thing every day that makes you happy or works toward a goal. By actively pursuing happiness, you can make it a reality.
What steps have you tried from the above list to get back to your happy place?
Did they work for you?
Further reading: My friend Lauren Kinghorn of Inspiring Mompreneurs shares 7 ways to beat the housewife blues – I found it resonated with me as I work from home!
18 comments
Having experienced depression I do understand what it feels like to be low.
One thing your forgot Vidya is music. Whether it’s rock or Tasha the right note always lift your spirits !
Music makes a big difference to me….
Wonderfully written, Vidya!
Rock or raaga…..
Wonderfully written Vidya!
I have been a victim of depression myself and have used the music therapy which you have seemed to overlooked.
Then there is a dietary route too.
This is one subject to write about seriously.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this. That’s all I’ll say now.
That and the fact that I love you. Your posts always come in at the right time for me.
Love!
Social media totally rocks Vidya for small periods daily. Then get offline and enjoy meeting folks in person, and soaking up nature. Most of social media is filtered. Folks show off their happiness and rarely delve into human, rough moments. Then you have folks who share their sadness 24-7, looking for fellow complainers. I do a wee bit of social media daily then shut it down.
You have touched on something many people need to do and all of us have been guilty of turning to the negative. I have had caustic people in my life and I thought, “why do I have these people in my life who are critical, mean, attacking and just nasty?” I decided to cut that cord and move forward since they can’t. Meditation is very important and one can walk and meditate at the same time and always stop to smell a pretty rose.
Good morning, Vidya! You know, for me personally, unplugging is a HUGE relief. There is so much negativity with social media and on tv. Going outside and leaving all electronic behind is great medicine also.
Great advice.
Hi Vidya, these are wonderful tips for getting back to a happier place. So needed in the world that is filled with so many stressors. I love the idea of cutting the cord to social media. It can often be part of the problem.
I completely believe in living in the moment. So, I have stopped making plans (even for the next day!) and just focus on the moment. Takes away a load of stress! I like reading and going out for a walk,oh, and also talking to mom, and my besties, Really helps getting things off your chest.
That last one is the most important – to actively try to be happy is so very important. I do try hard to practice many of the pointers that you’ve set out here – exercising, looking for small moments of happiness, laughter and self care. And each time routine begins to bog me down I have friends and family who pull me up – like your post today – it’s a great reminder to keep trying to focus on being happy.
Obsessivemom recently posted…Grandma’s words of wisdom #BookBytes -1
I can attest to all of these tips being useful. ~nods~ Since my father stopped talking to us once again (this time because my husband and I didn’t drop everything and go to Florida this spring), I’ve had to work on letting go angst. I refuse to let his bitterness ruin my life. And since he won’t take my calls or reply to emails, it’s up to him to make the next move. What else can a person do, anyway? I hope you find a good balance. ~hugs~ Thank you for sharing this. Namaste, my dear.
Vidya, thank you for this inspirational and happy post. All your tips are sound and backed by science too!
These are great tips, Vidya. Wow, I didn’t know that viewing flowers is a happiness booster. But it makes sense. Thanks for these.
Viewing flowers, being in nature, listening to birds sing…always takes me to joy. So I totally get it Vidya. Thanks for the tips. 🙂
Motivational and helpful advice. Thank you for sharing them. When I want to be in my happy place, I take my time out by going by myself and treat myself once at a time whenever I’m available. Anyways, great read.
I am not waiting to be happy, but I have to admit, I am eagerly anticipating the joy of an empty nest. My daughter starts high school in the fall, so I have a good long wait. I will have to think about whether that anticipation is negatively affecting my happiness in the here and now.
Everyone wants to achieve there goal to get a perfect life; life with success, wealth, happiness and many more. For some people, the perfect life can be material or emotional happiness. to get your happiness you should use the Law of attraction in their life.
Amazer Me recently posted…Powerful Abundance Affirmations for Manifesting Wealth
Life-changing and interesting article.
Thank you
Compact Hike recently posted…10 Tips To Stay Positive And Energize Yourself In The Path To Achieve Your Goals