Create Happiness

“Happiness is a Choice” is the title and topic of a few books and an oft-used expression. It also is the basic premise for a lot of research on how to achieve happiness and its effects on your health. Happy people tend to be positive thinkers who, according to Sonja Lyubomirsky PhD, a psychology professor, “are physically healthier, more productive at work, more likeable in general and live longer.” WOW!
Studies have shown that optimism raises the body’s immune function and that pessimists are more often struck with chronic illnesses. One reason suggested for the stronger immune function of optimists is their better health habits, because they understand that they have a choice in how their future will be.
If you have dampened your happiness with negative habitual thoughts, know that you can rewire your brain with repeatedly feeling, acting and thinking in different, more positive ways. Be aware that your negative thoughts are not always true, so choose to change your perceptions so that the glass is half full rather than half empty.
Know that whatever challenges you face are not always personal, permanent or continually having a negative effect on your life. Choose to view your life’s challenges instead as opportunities for insights, lessons and growth that can present you with stepping stones for your future success and happiness.
Your perceptions of who you are needn’t depend on any external circumstances. The good still lies within you. Negative self-judgments are conditioning from parents, family, friends and your culture. See yourself as a spiritual being who is loved and who has the power to bring happiness to your life and that of others.
Your happiness is not dependent on external circumstances so bring happiness TO what you do instead of expecting happiness FROM what you do. When occupied with mundane activities look for the sense of purpose in what you are doing and that will help you create a passion for the task and happiness as you perform the task.
Be in the now and focus on noticing everything good that happens to and around you. This can be big or little
things that you see, feel, taste or smell that bring you pleasure. Once you make the decision to look for the positive, take time to savor those moments so that you become a warehouse of pleasant pictures and memories.
Making others happy without giving a physical gift can make you happier. Happiness can be found through friendships and social contacts. Nurture and treasure your relationships by showing appreciation and acknowledgment to those around you. Dopamine, a feel good neurochemical, is released in others when they are acknowledged. Showing appreciation creates a deeper bond and leads to greater personal happiness for you and the recipient.
Take time to visualize the best possible future for yourself and how you would feel once it occurs. Repeatedly hold on to that feeling and visualization. Research has shown that imagining an event lights up the same areas of the brain that would be triggered during the actual event. So imagine what you want in your life to manifest your future happiness.
Everything you experience is stored as an image with an emotional charge attached. May all the emotional charges be as positive as possible. Make it a point to look on the bright side. Your optimism will help you to be happier and healthier.