Want More Joy?

10 Quick Ways To Get You Generating Joy.

Before you begin, what is Joy?

From a psychological perspective joy is an emotion comprised of feelings of happiness, contentment, and harmony.  Joy is different from general happiness in that it is not caused by a particular event, but comes from within you.

Happiness is a temporary emotional state. Whereas, joy is the truth of your essence.  

1.  Bookend your day with gratitude.

      Start your day by journaling things in your life that you are thankful for. Spend a few minutes writing them down, and then take a moment to really appreciate them.  Then do this again before you go to bed.  This allows you to really appreciate all the things in your life that are good.  No matter how the day starts or ends, there is always something to be grateful for and appreciate.  Sometimes, this can bring joy to a day that seems to not be such a great day.  When you find that one good thing that went right, it will put a smile on your face.

2.  Grow from challenges

       When faced with challenges look at them as a way to learn and grow, rather than an obstacle.  Look towards working on the solution and how you can move forward as a better person.  When you start looking for solutions and working towards it, you will find that you get a sense of being the victor of the challenge. Feeling joy because you have pulled through. Gaining joy from accomplishment.

3.   Start you day with excitement

      Start off each day by thinking of one person you can surprise.  It can be a text to a friend or family member you haven't seen or talked to in awhile.  Maybe pick up some flowers for a friend or a significant other.  Play a practical joke on a friend.  Something that can put a smile on someone's face.  In turn, it will put a smile on your face and joy in your heart. 

4.   Don't overthink or worry about situations

        Know that if you focus on the present moment and work through what is in front of you, everything will work out.  Get out of your head by not thinking or listening to your self talk.  Instead, close your eyes, take three deep breaths and know that in this very moment all is okay and you are good.  Feel the joy inside.  Even when things aren't perfect, that joy is still there.

5.   Celebrate

        Celebrate you as you are right now.  Look at yourself in the mirror and take a good look at yourself.  Know you are good enough as you are right now.  You don't need to change anything to feel joy.  Celebrate and love yourself knowing that you are capable of being and doing anything you want if you are willing to lean, grow, and be patient with yourself.

 6.   Take care of yourself first

         I know it sounds like your ego talking, but when you are at your best you can help others better.  I know this is hard to do, but you need to do it.  We want to make sure we take care of everyone else before we take care of ourselves.  However, think about it, if you are not around to take care of others in your life, who will do it?  Make sure you come first when it comes to your health, fitness, mental sanity.

7.   Embrace the good, the bad and the ugly

      When you are at the end of your life and you look back on your journey, the things that seemed like big obstacles or hurdles will probably not seem so huge.   When unforseen things come into your life, take a deep breathe and know this will pass in time.  Embrace life, love it, live it, interact and experience it.  Remember to laugh.

8.   Laugh often

        Laughing and having fun really is good medicine to help with anxiety, depression and fear.  Laughing increases endorphines.  Endorphines are the body's natural feel-good chemical.  Laughter also increases immune cells and infection fighting antibodies. This allows your body to fight disease.  So feel joy when you laugh out loud on a regular basis. 

9.   Choose freedom over fear

       Let emotions and intuition guide you toward what feels good and right.  Change your story, your self talk, to be positive.  Many times we can be fearful of the unknown or change.  I challenge you to try new things.  Move out of your comfort zone.  You never know what is possible until you step out from the familar and stretch your ability. You choose to have the feeling of joy. You choose joy, just as you choose the path you take in life.  You choose who you surround yourself with, so choose wisely because these people will shape you.

10.   Have a belief and expectation in possibilities

          Have you heard the saying, you get what you are ready for?  You not only get what you are ready for, but you get what you belive and expect you will get.  I work with many people transforming their health and fitness.  I have found that the people that expect and believe they will lose weight, lose weight.  The people that believe they will get healthier and feel better, do.  I am a firm believer in the saying that what you believe, you achieve.  So BELIEVE in you!  The more you believe that good things will come your way if you expect it and are ready for it, then the more joy you will feel.