How To Be Happy

By Dr Anne Child

Know that there is an endpoint, even if we can't see it at the moment. This helps with motivation and goal setting. Fear creates thoughts of worry, which drains our mental and emotional reserves. Think only of next 3 months. 

Be kind to yourself, and do what you can. Accept things as they are. 

We need very few things to make us happy; there is so much to be grateful for.  

Get creative: use music, art, nature or writing to bring your brain into what you are doing now. Your brain will find it harder to worry when you are being creative. 

Get into a project.  Choose what to focus on. The success will be with you the rest of your life. 

Ask for help. Collaborate with others and enjoy the feeling of togetherness. 

Communicate by telephone, facetime, Zoom or email.  

Fun and games- see the humour in things, and plan some pleasurable activity each day. Build family time into your life. Make a list of things you like to do together and do at least one a day, depending on weather and  everyone's schedules.

Exercise can improve sleep quality, your mood, low self esteem, and reduces anxiety, depression and stress. It increases energy, self confidence and your overall wellbeing. Visit your national Wildlife Trust sites. A daily dose of Nature is essential for wellbeing. 

Sleep well. Quality sleep keeps us physically and mentally well. It helps to improve our immune system, while lighter REM sleep helps consolidate memory and builds emotional resilience- like an overnight counselling session. 

Eat right. Cook too many vegetables for a meal and use the heathy leftovers to snack on the next day. Include protein in breakfast so you are not tempted to snack mid-morning. Plan healthy snacks: nut and seed mixes, oatcakes, nut butters, raw vegetables. Swap coffee for herbal teas, soups and fermented drinks like kombucha. Avoid commercially baked goods and refined sugar. 

Plan winter indoors:  buy remote working gear; clear stacks of books; make hunkering down easier 

Banish SAD (seasonal affective disorder) by purchasing a sunrise light lamp or light box. This replaces ordinary sunlight to make you feel more wide awake.

Practise active hope - decide what you want your experience to be- find things you like about autumn and winter- make small pleasures count.

Quotes:  

Happiness depends upon ourselves -Socrates 

To be happy for a year fall in love; to be happy for life, take up gardening - Chinese Proverb 

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet. James Oppenheim