It can be difficult to be happy in challenging times. Happiness comes in many forms and looks different for everyone. Regardless of your version of true joy, living a more satisfying life is well within your reach. Making a few simple changes to your routine can help you achieve great happiness, especially in difficult or challenging times. Here are some of our tips for finding joy when times are tough.

1. Make Changes to Your Diet

Did you know that what you eat can impact your overall health? For example, you can add complex carbohydrates, like vegetables, beans, and whole grains to your diet to release serotonin. This is a “feel good” hormone that can help improve your mood. Did you know that lean meat, poultry, legumes, and dairy are high in protein? These foods also release dopamine and norepinephrine which boost your energy and concentration levels. There are so many great foods out there that can help you feel happy and healthy!

2. Get Plenty of Sleep

Getting enough sleep is vital to positive brain function, emotional well-being and overall health. Here are a few tips for improving your sleep routine:

• Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. This includes the weekends
• Set aside an hour for quiet time before you go to bed. Take a bath, read, or do something relaxing
• Keep your bedroom dark, cool, and quiet
• Invest in some really good bedding

3. Exercise

Exercise doesn’t only benefit your physical health. Regular exercise can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Even a small amount of physical activity every day can boost your self-esteem and happiness. Consider exercises like walking around your neighborhood, light stretches, or a beginner’s Yoga or Tai Chi class. This is a great way to be happy every day.

4. Keep a Journal

Writing in a journal can help you organize your thoughts, analyze your feelings, and make plans. Whether you use this space to jot down thoughts before bed or for lengthy entries about your day, putting pen to paper can be very cleansing for your mind and soul. We also recommend writing down one daily thankful thought in your journal. With so much negativity in the world, focusing on the good can seriously boost your happiness. If writing certain things feels scary, remember that you can aways destroy that piece of paper.

5. Breathe Deeply

When you’re feeling tense or overwhelmed, taking deep breaths can help. The next time you’re feeling stressed or anxious, work through the following steps: close your eyes and try to envision a beautiful place or a happy memory. Next, take a slow, deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. Repeat this process until you start to feel calm. If you’re having a hard time concentrating on your breathing, try counting to 5 in your head with each inhale and exhale.

There are so many ways to find happiness every day! Find the strategies that bring you joy and add them to your daily routine. It’s important to practice these tactics on good days and bad ones. You’ll find happiness comes easier when you know what works for you.

Now more than ever before, you need to know how to find happiness within your home. Visit our website or give us a call at 815-385-4495 to learn more about building your dream home with Gerstad Builders.