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You are here: Home / Archives for how to be happy

how to be happy

Are Moods Contagious?

March 9, 2010 by Joi 1 Comment

Ever notice that some people are easier to be around and more enjoyable to hang out with than other people? It isn’t necessarily the things they say or don’t say or the number of times they make us laugh. Actually it all comes down to this: How do they make us feel? How do we feel about life and ourselves when we’re around them?

Scientists from Harvard Medical School and University of California at San Diego tell us that happiness is, indeed, contagious.  What’s more, we can actually “catch” other people’s moods. Their study of more than 5,000 people over a 20 year period found that people are more likely to be happy when the people they spend the most time with are positive and upbeat.

Grumble guts, Eeyores, and Negative Nellys do nothing but pull our moods down to their level. Whether you encounter them online or in person, you’ll find yourself wanting nothing more than to avoid their presence at all costs. They make you feel down, angry, sad, discouraged, tense….

The reason? Mirror Neurons. Mirror neurons are nerve cells in the brain that make us automatically adopt the mood of those around us. The funny thing is, you can even “pick up on” someone’s negative vibes online!  Although I can’t prove it, I personally think some people are more susceptible to these effects than others. For instance, I’m highly, highly, highly susceptible to mirror neurons and their mojo, for better or worse.  If, for example, I come across someone in a comment’s section of a blog who is obviously just trying to pick a fight or be difficult and argumentative – I can literally feel my neck muscles tensing. Their negative energy seems to jump right out at me.

On the other end of the spectrum, when I come across people with positive energy, upbeat attitudes, and great vibes – a smile appears on my face without me even telling it to.

You may or may not feel the effects as strongly or as easily as I do, but make no mistake about it – you feel them.  And if that isn’t reason enough to choose who you hang out with carefully, nothing is.

Here’s the thing.  Ultimately, we can’t make everyone around us play nice and, quite frankly, blowing sunshine up their  keester amuses us far more than it does them.  We can, however, choose how we react to people and their moods.  If there are people in your life who seem to get you down, frustrate you, or on a consistent basis bring about negative feelings – recognize it  and do something about it. Maybe you can’t avoid these people – heck, maybe you don’t even want to.  That’s cool.  Just be on guard against the effect they have on you.  Often, just realizing the tendency can help you keep it from happening.

Try to lift their spirits when you can – make them laugh, help them recall happy memories, smile warmly and smile often.  Approach the time you spend with them determined to have the stronger “mood germs” and make them catch YOUR good mood rather than the other way around!

Give them an ear, give them a shoulder.  But don’t give them the power to affect your day.

Filed Under: Positive Thought, Relationships Tagged With: how to be happy, Relationships

Reduce the Symptoms of Depression Through Self Help

December 22, 2009 by Joi 4 Comments

Depression is a serious illness that may require professional help if the symptoms are severe. Some common symptoms of depression are a lack of interest in your favorite hobbies, less time spent with those close to you, or a negative outlook on life. These are symptoms that should be treated as soon as possible and there are several options to consider when suffering from depression. Self-help is a great option for overcoming depression and it can be used in conjunction with a therapist.

If you are interested in self help methods for treating depression, there are several changes you can make in your daily life.

Step 1 – Begin a daily exercise routine. This can be as simple as joining a local gym and walking or jogging each day. Exercise causes your body to release endorphins and these can make you feel much better. There isn’t a set time to exercise; it all depends on your schedule, and when you are able to perform these activities. You can even space them out throughout the day.

Step 2 – Modify your diet. Depending on your current diet, it may be beneficial to make sure you eat a good breakfast. This provides your body with nutrients that can help your body function throughout the day. This can also help reduce hunger later in the day. Too much alcohol can also increase the symptoms of depression.

Step 3 – Maintain a Sleep Schedule. Another method of reducing the symptoms of depression is to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night. Proper sleep along with relaxation can really make a difference in how you feel. One method of relaxation is meditation. The benefit of meditation is that it allows you to clear your mind.

Self-help is a great way to reduce the negative effects of depression and there are many techniques to consider that make a big difference. These mostly involve lifestyle changes such as exercise or a change in diet.

Filed Under: Health, Positive Thought, Self Help Tagged With: cope with depression, deal with depression, how to be happy, overcome depression

The Key to Happiness is in Our Own Hand

March 29, 2009 by Joi Leave a Comment

How to Be Happy?  Be Happy.When my daughters were 8, 7, and 4, they got along beautifully most of the time. However, as you’d imagine, they were perfectly capable of mini wars that left everyone miserable.

I remember one summer day in particular. Each of the 3 was positively furious with the other 2. Such scowls!

It was one of those, “She’s touching me!” and “Make her stop looking at me!” days. Even our cats were in nasty moods.

Around 3:00 pm, things began to return to normal and the oldest (Emily) and youngest (Stephany) even headed out to the backyard to play. While I was fixing supper, my 7 year old (Brittany) came around the corner with lopsided pigtails and a pooched out bottom lip. She had one sandal on her foot and carried the other in her hand, seemingly undecided about what to do next: Put the second sandal on and join the fun outdoors or take the first one off and stay inside, away from the laughs, sunshine, and playing?

Keep reading →

Filed Under: Positive Thought, Self Help Tagged With: happiness, how to be happy

Quote About Happiness from a Real Groucho

January 14, 2006 by Joi 1 Comment

Groucho Marx Poster

I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be.  – Groucho Marx

More Quotes About Happiness

Filed Under: Daily Quote, How to Be Happy Tagged With: happiness quote, how to be happy, quote about happiness

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