Stress is inevitable. How you deal with it however, is totally up to you. Some people decide to indulge in behaviours that only make things worse like smoking or excessive eating, but I’m going to share with you tips from my experience that go a lot further in helping you unwind and decompress. In no particular order:
- A Positive Attitude – When life feels unbearable, it usually gets worse before it gets better, yet it almost always gets better if you allow it to. The old saying is “when it rains, it pours” and that definitely is true, but if you spin things in a different light you can see how the difficulties and hardships can make you a much stronger person in the long run. Maintaining a positive attitude and always trying to see the glass as half full even when it’s easier to be pessimistic is something that takes work but is totally worth it for helping to preserve your sanity and mental well being. The Law of Attraction says that positive energy attracts positive experiences and if you believe in karma, you get what you give. So smile when things get dicey and look towards a brighter future that is almost inevitable if you don’t sabotage your own chances at happiness.
- Exercise Regularly – The number one reliever of stress is a healthy, active lifestyle. It has been proven over and over again yet many people find any reason they can to not exercise. Some common excuses are “I’m too busy” “It costs too much” or “It’s too much work”. Exercise can be enjoyable, you just have to find out what you like and develop a routine. Regular workouts can not only relieve stress, they also help improve cardiovascular functions, promote muscle growth and reduce the risk of disease. When you start to achieve results and push the envelope on attainable goals, your confidence grows and that greatly increases your happiness.
- A Nutritious Diet – Simply put, you are what you eat. Obesity and diet related conditions are an epidemic in North American society. We need to be more conscious of the things we put into our body but it’s hard to tell what is good or bad when the marketing machine of large food corporations are set on confusing the process of determination. There’s so many low-fat, chemical laden options these days that are deceptively claiming to be healthy when they’re really not. A good rule of thumb is to shop at local farmer’s markets, grocery chains that specialize in healthy organic food options (Farm Boy is a good example) or grow your own and make meals from scratch. It might cost you a bit more until the prices come down from demand but you should never compromise your health to save a few bucks and there are several tips to help make it more affordable. (Contact me if you want my suggestions)
- Do Something You Love – Easier said than done, but where there’s a will, there’s a way. Too many people get stuck in a dead end job that slowly bleeds them dry and saps their ambition. Many individuals fear change and don’t want to risk a job for something better in case it doesn’t pan out. Life is about taking chances, the more times you fail, the more lessons you will learn. You hear all sorts of advice on what is a viable education path but really, an education is what you make of it. If you go into it with a sponge mentality and try to soak up the experience for what it’s worth, you’ll more often than not be able to get something out of it. Network properly, look for working experience through internships and volunteering and do well in your classes and doors will open for you to walk through if you keep your eyes open. Before you commit to a program, research different opportunities and really find out what you enjoy doing in life. If you like to travel, maybe you’d like being a tour guide. If you enjoy sports, maybe sports media, coaching or sports management are good avenues to pursue. Point being, don’t chase the money, follow your heart and if you work hard the money will come with it.
- Share Experiences – The single most requested commodity as people get older is not money, it’s time. It’s the one thing we can’t get enough of. Instead of wallowing in misery about all the time you waste, start to experience things and learn to share them with like-minded individuals and people you care about. You build relationships through experiences and they leave lasting memories to look back on with pride. Simple day to day activities such as sports, music, dinner clubs etc. can achieve this as well as long-term bigger opportunities like a vacation abroad, joining a class to learn a skill, collaborations on a project or volunteering. The more things you do, the happier you’ll feel but keep it within reason so you don’t burn yourself out.
And there you have it folks. “My Top 5 Keys to Living A Happy Lifestyle”. Hopefully you enjoyed the read and let me know what you think in the comments section.
Woof,
The Little Blog Dog
Little Blog Dog 