No matter how bright and cheerful you usually are, have you ever had days when you feel worried, anxious and wound up?
In today’s Positive Morning Thoughts #2 post we look at 7 easy habits you can use for less stress and more happiness – to remind yourself you are beautiful, you are skilful and you can – and will, turn your life around – no matter how worried, anxious and wound-up you feel.
Positive Morning Thoughts is a collection of blogs to inspire, encourage and support you to build, strengthen and nurture your daily meditation practice.
Seven Easy Habits for Inner Peace and More Happiness – even when you feel low and fed-up.
Easy Habits #1. Be Gentle and Embrace Life
Do you ever have days when you feel stuck, lost and lonely?
Maybe you are going through a divorce, a separation or recently lost your job.
Life changing events can leave you depressed and unsure of your next move.
When life looks less than desirable, it isn’t easy be gentle with yourself; strive to accept and embrace the good, the bad and ugly parts of life.
Know that nothing lasts forever and even in your sorrow there is magic and laughter to be found.
Easy Habits #2. Be Nice
As parents how many times have you told your child to be “nice to the other children in the playground” or “be nice to your teacher”?
The word “nice” has taken a knocking in years, yet in essence when you are “nice” you are being pleasant, agreeable, good-natured and kind.
Isn’t that a ‘nice’ state to be?
So take time during your day – especially when you feel down and anxious, to be nice.
For instance, you could say “good morning” to the person next to you in line or if someone asks you to do a task at work which isn’t your responsibility, just for now, be kind, smile and agree to do it.
Easy Habits #3. Release Judgement
Related to the idea of being nice, the ability to release judgement and forgive someone for misunderstanding you is a gift you give to yourself.
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it is easy to get frustrated; short-tempered and snap at friends and loved ones.
When this happens, rather than blame the other person, breathe and when you have calmed down, aim to see the situation from the other person’s perspective.
It won’t change anything but may give you space to be more understanding and accepting of the other person’s point of view.
I am sure you have heard of the saying “there go I but for the grace of God”.
Remember that next time you feel wronged or misunderstood.
Learn to see situations from the other person’s perspective, hold your centre, breathe, let the situation, or even the person, go and let them be.
Easy Habits #4. Be Open
If you are going through a particularly distressing time chances are you feel vulnerable, exposed and raw.
To protect yourself and feel better it is easy to shut down and put up barriers.
However, as you shut down, you restrict the flow of energy through your body which leads to tension and internal stress.
Instead of shutting down, learn to express your feelings and explore ways to release worrying thoughts.
Yoga poses, such as, learning to stand tall in the Mountain Pose will help you feel grounded and supported, a few rounds of the Sun Salutation breathe life and vitality into your heart centre.
Easy Habits #5. Practice Meditation
Develop a mind-body practice, such as yoga, tai chi or meditation.
A simple daily meditation practice releases stress and tension in your body and calms your mind.
Yoga breathing exercises help refresh, balance and focus your mind while guided meditation encourages inner peace, contentment and emotional balance.
All essential ingredients to aid enjoyment and pleasure in life.
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Watch this video I recorded where I share one of my favourite yoga breathing exercises for inner calm and balance – Snake Breathing! It’s super simple and fun – especially if your children are hyper and you are tired. Do it together!
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Easy Habits #6. Pleasurable Activities
What do you enjoy doing or dreaming about when you “have spare time”?
What turns you on and makes you feel alive, on purpose, passionate and free?
If you don’t know, then take time to discover your talents and lost dreams.
When you were younger, what did you enjoy doing?
That’s often a clue to what gives you pleasure and makes you feel happy.
A few minutes each day dedicated to your special pleasurable activity does wonders to build up your happiness quota and sense of fulfilment, even when going through hard times.
Easy Habits #7. Social Support
Having a sense of belonging to a community of close loving and supportive friends and family members is perhaps the most important enjoyment habit you can develop.
This can be an online community group or a local support group.
Giving and receiving love, sharing your concerns, joys and worries with friends, feeling heard, respected and valued, boosts your morale and gives you strength and support when going through unhappy times.
Arrange dinner dates, have lunch with positive friends or just hang out and chill out with family on Sunday afternoons.
Participate in online community forums, comment on YouTube videos which you enjoy watching, answer questions on Quora, – do what you can to link up, share your experience, listen and connect with other people.
You will feel better, more alive and connected which you feel happier and peaceful.
Closing Words
Learning to enjoy life, to be happy and experience inner peace is a gift you give to yourself.
Q: What easy habit do you think you could enjoy doing for inner peace and more happiness –
- embrace life,
- be nice,
- release judgement,
- be open,
- practice yoga or meditation,
- play more and
- spend more time with supportive and loving friends and family,?
This week, I encourage you to pick one easy habit, tell a friend what you going to do – give it your best shot and on Friday- let me know how you got it.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Hugs, peace and blessings
Ntathu xxx
P.S. Tell a friend about how much you enjoy reading my blogs, and watching my stress-free videos!
Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash
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