Every time life doesn’t work out the way we would like it to, it’s a silver lining inviting us to ask ourselves, how can we grow from this? I’ve experienced depression at different periods in my life which has caused me to seek natural and sustainable ways to overcome this propensity. Mental health is something that we need to foster and grow, much like physical health. I’m going to share with you the ways I optimize my mind for happiness, and how you can too.
Choose happiness.
We first have to prioritize happiness. This involves letting go of victim mentalities. Reclaiming personal responsibility is true empowerment. We don’t always have control over what happens to us in life, but we do have control over how we respond to every situation. We can rewire our neuro network by focusing on perspectives of the world around us that feel good.Meditate daily.
Meditation is a powerful tool that helps us to notice and observe mental patterns. Without awareness, it is easy to unconsciously dwell in negativity for days or weeks on end. Concentration is also needed to be able to redirect our thoughts, to which meditation strengthens this muscle. Daily practice is a slow, yet sustainable path towards happiness. It requires patience and discipline. The reward of emotional and cognitive health is worth it, so stay persistent!Utilize books and media.
Inspirational videos, podcasts, books, and articles are tools that should be taken advantage of. Since the dawn of the digital age, there is a wealth of wisdom and information at our fingertips. Daily reminders through media can help us stay on track. Taking notes and creating a personal database is also helpful so that we have targeted information to refer back to.Hack your social media feed.
Live Science published an article linking five social media habits to depression. If you’re like me, you’ve tried deleting apps in an effort to increase productivity and eliminate social comparisons, only to reinstall and initiate the cycle all over again. Rest assured that there are other ways to win the battle against addictive social media habits, such as hacking the newsfeed. This entails only following educational and inspirational pages or accounts. If your friends complain that you unfollowed them, reassure them that its nothing personal and that a phone call every now and then is not such a bad idea. The other option is to install Newsfeed Eradicator, which is an extension that replaces your desktop newsfeed with inspirational quotes.Harness the power of amino acids.
The amino acid DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA) has played a significant role in my overall mood and energy levels, so much so that I consider it a miracle supplement. Vegans and vegetarians are most likely deficient in L-tyrosine (the byproduct of DLPA) which regulates dopamine and adrenaline. All the information you could ever want to know about the power of amino acids can be found in the book The Mood Cure by Julia Ross.Walk barefoot in nature.
Spending time in nature automatically lifts the spirit; take it a step further by walking barefoot. Mark Zucker in his book Grounding, explains the scientifically proven benefits of walking barefoot, such as the stabilization of the body’s biological rhythms. Improved immune function and the reduction of anxiety and irritability are also notable benefits that I’ve personally experienced.Wake up earlier than you need to.
Waking up thirty minutes to an hour earlier than is needed creates space for healthy morning rituals to be established. It also generates positive momentum for the day. Have you ever noticed that when you are rushing around in the morning, the rest of the day feels unpredictable and chaotic? Once negative momentum builds, it’s difficult to reverse. Easing into the day allows us to tackle agendas with calm centeredness. It also gives us an opportunity to be more productive.Practice self-compassion.
Kristen Neff, a leading expert on self-compassion has said: “there’s almost no one whom we treat as badly as ourselves”. When we tune into the narrative of our minds, we notice this clearly. We cause ourselves tension by not accepting ourselves as we are. Suffering is caused by resisting pain. Once we acknowledge our emotions with loving kindness, they pass away. Suffering is a part of life and we have the capacity to be kind and compassionate to ourselves in the midst of pain.Stay curious about others.
Often times when we feel dissatisfied or unhappy, we tend to be self-centered; focusing on our own emotions and feelings. By taking interest in other people, we significantly optimize our mind for happiness by creating space for genuine connection. This, in turn, generates feelings of love and appreciation. You never know what kind of impact you could have on someone’s day by taking an interest in how they feel.Make daily progress towards your goals.
Research has shown that people are happiest when they are taking small steps toward their goals and aspirations. Twenty minutes a day is enough. Dreaming up the possibilities of our lives and then putting in the effort to achieve our goals gives our lives meaning and purpose. A sense of purpose can make us feel more optimistic about our future.
Exercising new habits can help us live an amazing and fulfilling life. Leave a comment below and let me know other tools that you use to optimize your mind for happiness!
“Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.”
-Abraham Lincoln