Mental Health Matters: Ways to feel happier instantly this summer

By Medicine Hat News on July 22, 2017.

With summer here, it is important to make a conscious effort to enjoy it. There are still many stressors during the summer, which makes it difficult to find time to do things that make us happy. There are a few tricks you can do to feel happier instantly.

One trick to feel happier is exercise, but gym memberships are time consuming and could be costly. If you do not have the time or money for a gym, skip elevators and take the stairs. By taking the stairs, chemicals get released into your brain, and you feel better and happier right away. It’s a great, easy alternative to the gym, and taking the stairs every day can help you stay fit and happy.

Another easy trick to feel happier immediately is to eat a banana. It contains potassium, which gives you energy and is good for your heart. The reason eating a banana is a great way to feel happy is because it also contains tryptophan, which helps create serotonin in your brain, a chemical we need to feel happy. Awareness is a tool we can use to feel better right away. When going for a walk, pay attention to your surroundings and really look at what is around you. People who recover from difficult times often say they now appreciate things they took for granted. Noticing and appreciating your surroundings is a great way to feel happy quickly.

In regard to diet, fruits and vegetables have great positive effects on our bodies, and we need five servings a day keep our systems healthy and happy. However, even if you like fruits and vegetables, five servings is sometimes difficult to maintain. A great alternative to reach five portions and feel good are smoothies. You keep most of the nutrients from the fruits and vegetables, and they make five servings seem less daunting.

An important trick around food to feeling happy is breakfast. Eating breakfast is another way to feel better this summer, as it gets your digestive system working and starts to eliminate the need for snacks during the day. Playing upbeat music you enjoy is also a great way to feel happy right away. Avoid playing sad songs or songs that remind you of unhappy times; instead upbeat music breaks the silence and is more enjoyable.

Doing a small favour or kindness to someone is a way to feel happy right away as well. It does not have to be a big gesture; it could be as simple as holding the door open for someone, spending time with someone who needs the company or buying a coffee for a family member or friend. A happy list is a simple way to keep yourself feeling good and reminds you of good times. When making a happy list, think of times that you have enjoyed, times you felt a job was done well and times felt close to someone else. Looking at your happy list when you feel down will help make you feel better right away.

Summertime is busy and sometimes stressful, so use a few of these simple tricks to feel upbeat and happy right away.

Justine Fiegler works part-time with the Financial Administrator Program at Canadian Mental Health Association giving presentations about budgeting to the community. If you have any questions, you can contact her at 403-504-1811 ext. 115.

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