Did you know that your level of performance at work is a direct reflection of the way you feel on both the inside and outside? Sure, stress is always going to be part of our daily lives, but in order to be as competitive, poised, and successful as possible in today's world it's important to practice your way to happiness.
According to some experts, happiness is a choice and can affect every aspect of your life. Happy people avoid dwelling on their problems, perform more acts of kindness, and are able to lose themselves in whatever they enjoy doing. Those are all good reasons to choose a happier, better life.
Here are five ways to make every day a happy day.
Sleep more.
Evenings are busy and it's easy to push sleep back. However, sleep deprivation has heavy consequences. You'll experience lower productivity at work and greater impatience at home. Mood swings, lapses in memory and sleepiness are symptoms of not getting enough sleep.
Try to set a bedtime and stick to it. Create an evening ritual to relax and get ready to sleep. Avoid bright lights and turn off the computer and the television. When you get at least eight hours of sleep, you'll feel more refreshed and ready for the day.
Take care of your body.
Exercise benefits your body as well as your mind. Those who exercise regularly have more energy and are less likely to get sick. You'll handle stress better, be more alert, and exhibit a positive attitude.
You don't have to go to the gym seven times a week to benefit from exercise. Choose a type of exercise that fits into your daily schedule. An evening walk after dinner will help you let go of stress from the day.
Show gratitude.
Decide to be grateful. When you wake up in the morning, take a moment to reflect on the blessings in your life for which you're thankful. Find joy in special moments with a friend or loved one and celebrate small successes in everyday life.
Focus on small steps in self-improvement. If you struggle to find happiness in your life, keep an abundance journal. Write down those things for which you're grateful. When something brings you joy throughout the day, add it to the journal. Then, if you have a bad day, look back and remind yourself of all the moments that brought you joy.
Be generous.
Focus on what you can do for others. Try to do one nice thing for someone each day. Generous behavior invites abundance into your life. When you give to others, you open yourself up to new opportunities. Simple gestures will improve your day. Call a friend, thank a colleague for her work, or make cookies for a neighbor. You'll send the message that you're genuine and mindful of others.
Eliminate jealousy.
"Keeping up with the Joneses" is an exhausting effort. Try not to concern yourself with what others have and what you don't have. If you constantly compare yourself to others, you'll distract yourself from your long-term goals and happiness.
Likewise, don't gossip. When you're a gossipmonger, others will resent you or lose trust in you. Treat others the way you would like to be treated. When you focus on being your best self, you'll radiate genuine confidence in everything you do.
For more helpful tips, visit Jacqueline Whitmore's blog or "like" her Facebook page.