10 Ways to Create a Happy Moment

No, this isn’t meant to be a cure for depression, but we all deserve a good moment. A happy moment can both break a string of negative moods, and it can also pave the way for more positive moments. Here are ten suggestions for putting ourselves in a good mood:
1) Listen to, or watch something funny. Laughter has a way of completely wiping out a negative mood.
2) Compliment people you don’t know. It’s amazing how a bit of genuine positive energy towards others can in turn make us feels good, too.

3) Laugh at yourself. We all can have a way of taking ourselves too seriously, at times. Sometimes just poking a little fun at ourselves with a little perspective can lighten us up.
4) Regress. Remember what it’s like to be a child? Don’t just sadly reminisce of the past, do something that takes you back to your childhood. Ride the go-karts, play kick ball, do an art project, ride a scooter, go on a scavenger hunt, go on the swings, etc. Allow yourself to be an eight-year old in an adult body.
5) Hold a baby. Another of nature’s wonders. Somehow holding a baby — anyone’s baby (as long as you have the parents’ permission!) — can make things seem so simple. For a moment, it’s possible to forget our troubles and retreat to the innocence of infancy.
6) Create a playlist of happy songs. Whichever songs are happy for you, have the playlist ready to go for when you could use a boost. Try to include songs from various positive points in your life, if possible.
7) Spend time in nature. Granted, not everybody may love the outdoors, but removing oneself from the indoor environment into fresh air can lift our moods. Whether you prefer to be around mountains, trees, lakes, deserts, beaches, etc., find a place that can change the environment and bring you some peace.
8) Treat yourself. Be careful with this one, especially if you’re someone who habitually spends and shops. This is more for people who tend to live lives of restraint. The point of this isn’t to go on a spree, as much as it’s to treat yourself to something you usually wouldn’t. This could be something as simple as an ice cream sundae, or allowing yourself to do an activity you may not usually do. Occasionally allowing ourselves a little bit of freedom for a treat is necessary so we don’t collapse under the weight of restraint.
9) Take a bath (or spend time in a jacuzzi). This is a often a great mood changer, especially if coming from a state of stress or anger. A warm bath can draw the blood flow away from the head and distribute it throughout the body, leading to both physical and mental relaxation (also can be good for stress headache relief).
10) Create your own joke or limerick. While this could fit in with “regression”, this gets its own mention because if you can make yourself laugh, you’re having a happy moment. Feel free to get crude and childish with your joke or limerick. No one has to appreciate it but you.

Five Steps

In the advent of multiple bereavements we all have difficulties of looking towards the “Light in the Tunnel.” Therefore, I have come up a few sources, which we all can work on with help from our Loved Ones, Bereavement Therapists and from contacting Dr. Nicholas at 877 867 8556.

Step One – Recognize your negative moments.  Admit to yourself you have negatively that can be curbed. How do you do that?
Step Two – When a negative thought crosses your mind, accept it, acknowledge it, and find a way to use the power of positive thinking to adjust your feelings.  Think of something positive about your life. Think of something you are thankful for and let that replace your bad thoughts.
Step Three – It is easy to let negative thinking result in complaining.  Whether big or small, before you open your mouth to make a complaint, stop.  You have control over your mouth, so don’t let your bad thoughts spill out onto your environment.
Step Four – Be mindful of people around you.  No one wants a complainer on their hands, and it only feeds more negativity to your life, and your environment.  It can isolate you from your peers when really you want to lean on your support group.  Respect your peers, and catch yourself before you open your mouth and say something unnecessary.  Find a positive thought and verbalize it.  Compliment your friends. You’ll find others being positively affected by your affirmation and, as a result, more positive energy will come your way.
Step Five – Optimism is a choice.  Know you have the power to turn a frown upside down.  You are in control of what you say so know that you have the power to make that attitude adjustment a reality