3 Ways To Elevate Your Happiness in under 10 minutes Today
For todays post I want to share my 3 Ways To Elevate Your Happiness in under 10 minutes. I hope the ideas inspire your wellness practice and offer a spring board into a positive start to the year
Earlier this year I read some really interesting research* that suggested we can boost our immune function by creating and basking in an elevated emotional state, for just ten minutes 3 times a day. If you’re wondering what an elevated state is, it simply means a happy, high vibe, pleasant positive emotion. Here are a some example emotions
- joy
- happiness
- appreciation
- generosity
- loving kindness
- compassion
- inspiration
- enthuseasm
- gratitude
What a fantastic research finding, right? And good to know about, especially in our current social climate.
After reading the research, I started to wonder how I could fit the three, ten minute ‘elevations’ into my day in a way that felt easy to remember, simple to do and also fun.
I don’t imagine many of us get to live in an elevated state all day long but having little moments ear marked for joy can make a big difference.
Here is the method I came up with, I hope you enjoy it as much as I have this year.
1) Appreciation for breakfast x 10 mins
Over my morning tea or coffee I spend ten minutes writing a gratitude list in my journal, writing thank you cards to people or sending thank you emails, or simple sipping my tea while letting my mind range over some of the people or things I appreciate most.
Something else I do is the appreciation alphabet. Starting at A and working through to Z, I name the things I am glad exist in the world. Apples, Blueberries, Cake, Dancing…. etc
2) Inspiration after lunch x 10 mins
I then do something inspiring for ten minutes after eating my lunch. If I’m really busy at work that might just be reading a short poem from the book I keep on my desk, or going for a brisk walk around the block or to the store while soaking up the beauty of the natural world, fresh air, the sky and the elements, or it could be listening to an uplifting song or piece of music.
The following words from Goethe come to mind here…
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which life has implanted in the human soul.”
I am inspired by poetry, art, nature and music but you may be inspired by something else ( watching a Ted Talk by your favourite presenter, having a phone call with a friend, eating a fancy sandwich?) So do give a thought to what it is you are inspired by, this way you’ll have something to hand for your lunch time inspiration session.
Here are three of my favourite photo books for desk top inspiration:
- Art Book: Hilma af Klint: Paintings for the Future – Buy On Amazon
- Beach Book: In Love With The Beach: Hardcover Coffee Table Book – Buy On Amazon
- Style + Glamour: Slim Aarons: Style – Buy On Amazon
3) Loving Kindness at Bedtime x 10 minutes
This is a lovely practice to try any time really, but bed time is a great opportunity to send someone a sweet dream. You can learn more about the practice of loving kindness or ‘blessing’ here. Blessing others and thinking good thoughts about them leaves you with a really loving and uplifted feeling. As the mystic poet Rumi says, ‘The fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose’
What do you think of 3 Ways To Elevate Your Happiness in under 10 minutes today?
I have been exploring them all year and have enjoyed finding places to fit them into my day in a way really feels natural and easy to do. Maybe the way you do them will be different and you’ll adapt them to suit your way of life. For example, if you have kids at home or look after someone else, you might even want to bring them in and invite them to join your happiness practice now and again.
Last but not least I want to mention that these happiness tips are complimentary and aren’t here to replace mental health care, so do be sure to speak to your doctor or reach out to other healthcare professional if you feel unwell and in need of support.
- * Research 1) Science Live 2) Psych Central 3) Jo Dispenza
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