Happiness is......

The current economic situation and its implications cannot be underestimated – by now it is obvious that this is a different kind of recession that is going to result in a complete shift in how we live.  Financially, things are going to be really difficult for a while.  How can we make life more positive without financial cost?

We all know the saying: money does not buy happiness.  So what does? 

It may be common sense but sometimes it’s good to consciously think about the behaviours that result in contentment – that way we’re more likely to experiment and adopt them.  Research has shown that there are three main things that ‘happy’ people agree are key to their contentment. 

And the good news is that they can be experienced for free:

1. Good Healthy Relationships – think about the relationships you have:  friends, family and romantic ones.  Having good supportive friends, a strong romantic relationship and warm relations with family members make for a happier person.   When you think of your relationships, if there are any that make you feel negative then try and think of ways to improve them.  If there’s a problematic relationship that can’t be resolved then it might be a sign that it’s time to let go; don’t feel obliged to carry on with a situation that’s negative.  Spend time with the people whose company you enjoy and who enjoy your company! 

2. Think Positive – people are not entirely pessimistic or optimistic – each are mindsets that we can dip in and out of, or become stuck in.  The natural laws of attraction and repulsion play their part in this, eg. if you repeatedly think that the worst is going to happen (law of repulsion), then it will;  and each time the worst scenario happens you reinforce that negative belief  for the next time.  It therefore creates a loop effect that leads to becoming stuck with negative outcomes.  Instead, you want to utilise the law of attraction to result in positive outcomes.  To move out of a negative mindset there needs to be a conscious shift from ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’ thinking.  So, next time you hear your inner voice starting a negative thought*, consciously interrupt your thinking and change it.  Repeat the process with each negative thought. The more you do this, the greater the loop is reinforced and before long, positive thinking becomes natural.  *Please note that one of the most dangerous forms of negative thinking is sarcasm, because it appears to be ‘funny’ - but it is pure negativity in disguise.  

3. Flow – get in it and go with it.  This is a relaxed but focused state that we enter naturally when we’re doing something we enjoy.  Getting into flow or into the zone is something that happens when we’re completely focused on what we’re doing.   Hobbies that you enjoy create flow.  And if you can get a job doing something you enjoy, that creates flow.  Listening to good music creates flow.  Becoming absorbed in an exciting book creates flow.  Watching a film that engages you creates flow.  But watching TV can interrupt flow – so if you’ve got the TV switched on just for the sake of it, turn it off.  Creating things is flow in its purest form, eg. art & crafts, music, writing.  So look for opportunities to build into your life things that you enjoy doing.

These techniques do work.  Why not experiment?   

And notice how things change…..