5 Steps to be Happier at Work and at Home

We all do it every day already. Studies show that by noticing these simple processes in our brains and consciously doing these steps, people report greater satisfaction with their daily lives.　

1.　Gratitude.　Thinking about at least 3 things you are grateful for every day trains your brain to scan the　environment for positive instead of negative sides of life. Already doing it? Take a challenge and find bright side you are genially grateful for in a difficult situation. It will also train your brain to find creative solutions to your problems.　　　

2.　Journaling.　Video journaling works too! Writing down or re-watching moments of life you are grateful for tricks your brain into re-living the joy.　　　

3.　Exercise.　This is a tough one. We all know we have to do it. More I think of it,　more cupcakes end up on my scale. I think the first step is naming every extra pound in honor of a person who caused it. For example, I have 5 pounds named after my mother-in-law, 2 after my best friend’s wedding and other 20 after my child, 1 for his birth and 19 for every stress cupcake he caused me. Jokes aside, exercise because it will make you feel good and give you energy. Exercise for yourself. If you struggle to start, do simple things: a walk, slow stretch, tense/relax your muscles while you are driving.　

4.　Meditation.　Practice mindfulness in everyday life. Meditation does not have to be in a　quiet place, in a　stoic pose. Mediation is walk when you notice leaves, trees, sky. Meditation is a recounting Ativan and Morphine pills. Meditation is washing your hands for 15 seconds enjoying the flow of fresh water on your hands after it was cracked by the sanitizing gel. 　　

5.　Kindness.　When you randomly choose to do something kind for somebody, it gives you a rush of happy hormones. Giving someone a hug, for example, will increase your oxytocin, a very happy hormone. Nurses create kindness all day long. We volunteer to help our　co-workers to move, turn, clean a patient; we smile when doing 5 rights; we bring fresh water and warm blankets to patients without being asked to do it. Noticing that you do it and appreciating these moments will create an enormous change.　　

Where did I even get this information from? Watch the full TED talk by Shawn Achor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLJsdqxnZb0