how to be happier

Try Something New Every Day: You Never Know Where Your “Amelia” is Hiding!

October 20, 2021 by Joi Leave a Comment

Try Something New Every Day!

Think of a hobby or pastime you love to do – one that brings you great joy. Something you look forward to doing and feel on top of the world while doing it! Maybe it’s watching baseball on tv, cooking, gardening, walking, hiking, collecting Pyrex dishes, watching old movies, golfing, or burning it up on the tennis courts.

Whatever that something special is, it’s such a part of your life it almost feels like recess from the real world!

I’ve always been of the mind that the more interests you have, the more interesting life will be and the cool thing is, the opportunities for new interests are limitless. You can start a new hobby, find a new pastime, or adopt a brand new subject to learn about.

I remember about 12 years ago , I saw an Amelia Earhart special on the History Channel. An interest was greatly sparked and I went down an Amelia Earhart rabbit hole that has led to collecting every article, book, and collectible I can that has anything to do with her! I love looking for new specials about the iconic legend and have even began reading about other aviators (particularly women). On the flip side, there have been other individuals on the History Channel I have followed up on by studying more that didn’t spark any further interest, but there have been more people and subjects who have stuck around and greatly enriched my life.

You just never know when or where you’ll find your Amelia!

Have a great day and, as always, make each moment count double!

~ Joi (“Joy”)

How Support Dogs (and Other Things) Can Improve Your Emotional Well-Being

November 29, 2017 by Joi Leave a Comment

“If you’re going through seriously rough times having a companion to rely on can help you through.”

by Amanda Green

Being Daily

The mind and body work together as one. Just as important as taking care of your physical health, your emotional well-being must be cared for daily. As life sends you through trials, tribulations, celebrations, and victories, the mind must learn to adapt – which isn’t always easy. Learning how to keep your mind clear of clutter and finding ways to mentally stimulate the joy within can often help you to see life in a new light. Below are seven suggestions on how you can improve your emotional well-being.

Meditation

The art of meditation can do wonders for the mind. It is a process of clearing the mind of negative thoughts and filling it with peace, tranquility, and silence. Meditation can reduce stress, improve concentration, increases self-awareness, and ultimately helps to improve happiness. Just 15 minutes in the morning can help clear your mind of whatever is weighing it down, so you’re better equipped to handle the day.

Words of Affirmation

Whether you’re mentally unhealthy, struggling with low self-esteem, or dealing with depression, part of healing the mind is changing the way you think. If you want to improve your emotional well-being, words of affirmation can do the trick. Rather than looking to other people or things to make you feel happy, your own words could help improve self-awareness and build confidence. Choose a few positive things to say about yourself, your life, or your goals that can be said every morning. Ideas might include, “today will be a good day”, “I am worthy”, “I am a good person”.

A Support Animal

If you’re going through seriously rough times having a companion to rely on can help you through. Unlike people who can sometimes bring you down, a support animal is there to provide you with the unconditional love you need. If you’d like a support animal, you’ll need to meet with a therapist who can write a recommendation letter for emotional support animals on your behalf. Your beloved dog or cat will be there to give you love, help boost your confidence, and keep you safe.

Read

When they say reading is fundamental, they were telling the truth. One way to improve your emotional well-being is to read more. Instead of reading about the news and current events which can sometimes be depressing, try reading about positive things. Read a quote about happiness. Pick up a motivational book by a celebrity or speaker you enjoy. Or perhaps read religious materials to strengthen your faith.

Unplug

From the internet to the television screen, being plugged in all the time can impede your path to emotional well-being. Seeing too much negativity, lifestyles you wish you could have, and other data all the time can make seeing reality and living your own life happily a lot more difficult to accomplish. Unplug from TV, your computer, and your cell phone at least once a week. Take this time to reflect on everything positive in your life. Take a walk and be one with nature, spend time talking with your family, just make sure that whatever you do, you’re not engaged in screen time.

Write it Down

Believe it or not, journaling can be a great way to improve your emotional well-being. When you’re able to get your innermost feelings and thoughts out on paper, you feel a lot better. Write motivational pieces, poems, or even some goals and ideas you may have had on your mind. Going back to reflect on these later can give you the mental boost you need to get through everything.

Exercise

Exercising helps your emotional health in more ways than one. Not only does the increase of physical activity increase the production of endorphins responsible for improving mood, but routine exercise helps to boost confidence, improve memory, improve sleep, and strengthen the body. Whether you join a gym, jog every day, or follow an exercise tape at home, you’ll start to feel energized and on top of the world.

As they say, the mind is a terrible thing to waste. Whether you consider yourself to be mentally well or you’re going through trying times that has you emotionally drained, these tips will help you improve your mood. Every day, take small steps towards finding inner peace, removing the negativity, and improving upon yourself as an individual. In the end, you’ll find that life, even the difficult times, are a lot easier to get through.

“Your beloved dog or cat will be there to give you love, help boost your confidence, and keep you safe.”

Infographic: How Dogs Improve Your Health!

April 8, 2017 by Joi Leave a Comment

I am a bona fide animal-lover if there ever was one. I’m pretty sure you could tell from all the pictures of animals on Self Help Daily or in my Twitter timeline, but I thought I’d write it out loud just in case.

Left to my own devices, I’d have at least two of every animal known to man, but my cats (and husband, for that matter) don’t share my off-the-hook enthusiasm. What’s more, we are, primarily, a cat family. We are blessed to live out of the city, so we’re able to take in cats who need a forever home, a forever family, and all the love they can stand.

How much are we committed to these cats? Well, for one thing, forfeited our entire carport to house a couple of (heated in the winter, of course) cat houses, cat food stations, chairs, and toys… lots of cat toys. Their set-up is ridiculously sweet. At any rate, this is the only reason I don’t have a dog, or two, or twenty. Dogs are amazing, loyal, beautiful, sweet, intelligent…. but woefully an enemy of our cat family.

Dogs aren’t just wonderful and loving family members, they’re actually very healthy for you. Just one of the ways I’ve found this to be true has been with dogs I’ve had and loved in the past (before the cats took over our hearts and yard!). Over the years, I have, without question, walked more frequently (and for longer periods of time) when I’ve had a canine companion. They love it so much, you just don’t want to stop their fun!

The great infographic below tells more ways dogs are actually very healthy for you. As for my opinion on the matter – I think that dogs (like cats) add to your joy and happiness – and that, fellow-animal lovers, is a key component of having a healthy and worthwhile life.

If you are able, I wholeheartedly suggest heading to your local shelter and allowing a RESCUE to take place. Just be warned, it won’t be the dog (or cat) that’s rescued!

How Dogs Improve Your Health Infographic

Infographic Credit: A Place for Animals!

Infographic: 10 Science-Backed Ways to Be Happier Right Now

July 13, 2016 by Joi Leave a Comment

Regardless of who we are, where we’re from, where we’re going, or how much sugar we put in our coffee – we’re all after the same thing… happiness. The more, the better, right? One of the most searched for things online is, “How to be happy.”

Before we get to the bright, beautiful infographic, I just want to say a few quick things about happiness.

One of the surest ways to be unhappy is to focus all of your thoughts on, “I wish I were happier..” By saying the words, you’re pretty much telling every fiber of your being that you are unhappy or are not “happy enough.” Not healthy.
A sure fire way to find unhappiness is to look for it. If you tend to look for the negatives in life, you will find them – and then won’t have any idea what to do with them! Look for the good, seek out the beautiful, and trend toward things that make you smile.
Never set yourself up for disappointment by over-expecting. This is where many people snag their sweater on the fence. Don’t wake up on Tuesday morning, for example thinking, “Each of my children are going to call me today, my spouse is going to take me to my favorite restaurant for dinner, and my cat is going to be in the cuddliest mood of her life.” When you set your expectations too high (and a cat in an uber cuddly mood is sky high), you’re only inviting disappointment and disappointment never feels good.
Take a good look around. Even if you’re the only one in the house, there are dishes in the sink, and the cat’s in a horrifyingly bad mood – life is still beautiful. You’re still alive, there are still a billion reasons to smile and… let’s face it, a clingy cat would just be weird.

~ Joi

Credit: Life Coach Spotter

Three Week Challenge: Be Kinder Than You Have to Be….

May 19, 2015 by Joi 2 Comments

This is one of those “Self Improvement Hacks” that is so simple and so “flowery” that the average person dismisses it without a single thought.

I hope you aren’t average.

We’re all after the same thing – peace, happiness, joy, stress-free days, good health, and more reasons to smile than to frown.

More reasons to laugh than cry. More opportunities to speak positive words than negative ones.

We want happier families and relationships – everyone getting along, laughing, and enjoying life’s ride together.

One of the simplest paths you can take to this “ideal world” doesn’t involve hard work, special talent, acquired skills, or even money.

It simply calls for you to show up!

This challenge is simple: you just have to be kinder than you have to be for three weeks.

What does being kinder than you have to be entail?

Saying kind things to others when you’d rather just say, “Hi.”
Biting your tongue when you want to ridicule, criticize, or even “tease.”
Telling people to have a wonderful day… and meaning it.
Asking how their day was, THEN listening and actually caring.
Allowing others to think differently than you do.
Complimenting people for the sake of seeing them smile.
Doing little things that you know will make someone else happy.

The list goes on, but you get the idea – being kinder than you have to be means thinking about THEM instead of YOU.

But here’s the thing. This challenge isn’t even for them. It’s actually for you…. but, shhhh, no one has to know.

It won’t even take the full three weeks for you to reap the benefits. I promise you, you’ll feel happier and more at peace almost immediately. Watch how others respond to this kindness and watch how it makes you feel.

It feels good to be make others feel good… so good, in fact, that it’ll become a lifelong habit.

I promise. Please try it. Be kinder than you have to be for three weeks. You’ll never go back to being any other way. It is truly one of the secrets to happiness, happier families, peace, and even better health.