Go to page 2 of your Happiness Diary
(You can do your diary task any time of the day but evenings, just before bed might be best as the feelings you are left with will drift through you while you are asleep).Write down 10 good things you have in your life: people, things, health, work, favourite place, food, sport... any 10 things that you are grateful to have. Things that you would miss if you didn't have them. Think for a minute about what it is you love about each item and why they/it is important to you.
Remember that TV programme "Why Don't You?" (why-don't-you-just-switch-off-your-television -set-and-go-and-do-something-less-boring-instead)? Well do it! Turn it off at some point and do something else instead.
If you really can't think of anything you fancy doing, here are some ideas...
- Sort out your photos ready to put in albums.
- Go through your wardrobe and move all wintry stuff into storage (or bin). Then hang your summer stuff ready for the sun!
- Write a letter to someone you haven't been in touch with for ages: auntie, cousin, old school friend, go through your Christmas card list for inspiration. In many ways we've lost the art of letter writing and it's so lovely to receive something by snail mail.
- Go for a 15 minute walk.
- Do a little gentle gardening.
- Just sit outside. Listen to the sounds.
- Play a board game.
- Write a poem.
- Phone a friend.
- Do your nails / eyebrows / hair / face pack.
- Apply some fake tan.
- Talk to or play with your children.
- Talk to your partner.
- Read a book or magazine.
- Have a bath.
How often do you laugh? The "happiness aim" is to have at least one really good laugh every day. Can you think of ways for you to have a laugh? What used to make you laugh?
If you are out of practice or stuck for ideas, here's a quick one. Do you remember the no-yes-no game? Play with your kids or partner or involve a friend (doesn't matter if they think you're nuts - they'll enjoy it to). Each person has a turn. The other asks you questions to which you can answer anything but Yes or No.
"What's Your name?"
"Jane"
"Are you sure"
"er..."
It's harder than it looks!
Initiate a conversation with another woman who you have seen around but never or rarely spoken to, whether at the school gates, bus stop, gym or just in the grocery store, park or stores.
Perhaps say how pretty/handsome their child is, or compliment their shoes, coat, necklace. Just be interested in them. Before you go, ask their name.
Phone a friend
Not the friends you see regularly but someone you haven't spoken to for ages. An old school friend perhaps? Or an old work colleague? Before you ring, think of 4 things you'd really like to know about them or from them - jot the questions down. Have you got 2 interesting things to tell them too?
When you ring check with them whether it’s a good time to talk, and if it isn’t, book in a time over the next few days.
Physical Exercise:
A key element of making yourself happier is exercise. It's important on so many levels: physical, mental, emotional - but often we are so exhausted from just getting through the day: cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing, working and of course children can be emotionally exhausting with their relentless questions "why mum?", "when mum?" "how mum?". So it's not surprising that we find it difficult to motivate ourselves to do regular exercise. But the scientists have put it firmly in the "Happiness prescription" : In fact they suggest 20 minutes, 3 times a week.
So between us, we need to find some exercises that can fit into our daily life and the motivation to do it.
Today:
Borrow or buy a skipping rope. Local toy shops or supermarkets often sell them for just a couple of pounds. Or find some rope (as we did when we were kids). Do 100 skips... yes you can! Go on...Try to remember the rhymes we skipped to as little girls:
Teddy bear teddy bear turn around, teddy bear teddy bear turn around, teddy bear touch the ground, teddy bear teddy bear show our shoe, teddy bear teddy bear count to 2, 3, 4.....99, 100!
Then try backwards - can you still do it? Try that one where you cross your arms...
Rest when you need to but try to do another 100 and then another.
Enjoy feeling out of breath. Enjoy feeling youthful. And enjoy that lovely glow in your cheeks that will last for hours.
The small print: be sensible - if you haven't done any exercise for years and are out of shape or have an illness DONT skip till you drop! Take it at your own pace and stop when you want to!
