What makes you happy?

There is plenty of information and advice out there on how to attain happiness: “7 things you won't believe science says can make you happy". Or what about "10 simple things you can do today that will make you happy” on and on. We can find these articles in magazines and online all day. Should we try them all? Is happiness attainable by following all this advice? Where do we really find happiness? What if happiness is within us at all times? What if we saw ourselves put together somewhat like a map ?(Where all these states are within us at all times. (Sadness, hostility, anger, jealousy, hopelessness, overwhelmed, etc...) When we look at a map it is usually because we want to map out a course to reach a destination. We have a starting place and a destination that we would like to reach. We find where we are on the map and then we plan out a course on how to reach our destination. The farther we are from our destination, the longer we realize it can take us. Of course there could be bumps in the road. Twists and turns, some uphill climbs and some downhill coasting...we never really know what the conditions will be like until we are actually there and if we can’t figure out the map ourselves then we ask someone that can help us. The one thing we do know is that we cannot be both places at one time. Would you agree? The same goes for happiness. We cannot be happy when we are stuck in another state (sadness, hostility, anger, jealousy, hopelessness, overwhelmed, etc...

How do we get to the state of happiness?

I would like to propose that we see ourselves like a map:

1. Take a good honest look and find where you are right now?

2. Now see your destination, where is it that you want to be?

3. Have you attempted to reach that destination? And if so, what is it that is in your way? What in your mapped out course can you change?

4. Remember you cannot be in two states at one time.

5. If you cannot figure out a plan for yourself, there are people out there that can help.

Imagine, for a moment, living your life as your happiest, most vibrant and productive self.

If you can imagine it...it's already within your reach.

Hypnosis can be used to help you gain control over undesired behaviors or to help you cope better with anxiety or pain. Mayo Clinic

Hypnotherapy and NLP Neuro-Linguistic Programming are proven to help you get closer to that state of being by enabling people to eliminate negative emotions, change negative behaviors and eliminate self-limiting obstacles in order to increase their happiness and to attain their goals quickly and comfortably. Even a troubled past can be resolved and even turned into a valuable resource by reprogramming the unconscious mind.

Use Hypnotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming to increase your happiness!

Yes, I know. There are dozens of books written about how to increase your happiness, probably hundreds of different blogs all promising you the secrets to the keys of happiness, and thousands of articles written on this topic. Since the positive psychology movement got started a while back, it’s been going bananas. And why wouldn’t it? Who wouldn’t like to learn some “secrets” to unlocking their inner happiness?Happier people tend to live longer,live healthier lives, make more money and do better at work. It’s a chicken and egg problem, though. Does happiness bring those kinds of things, or do those kinds of things lead us to be happier?While we may not exactly know the answer to that question yet, we do know the answers to many other questions about happiness.

1. You control about half your happiness level. Although the exact level will vary from individual to individual, it appears that up to about 50 percent of our happiness levels are preset by genetics or our environment (called our happiness set-point). But that’s good, because it also means that about40 to 50percent of our happiness is within our power to raise or lower. 2. Money doesn’t buy happiness.Once we get to a certain level of income that is enough to pay our bills and keep us in the lifestyle we’ve grown accustomed to, more money doesn’t result in more happiness. The only two exceptions to this rule is if you give money away, or if it significantly improves your social rank. People who give money away appear to sustain greater levels of happiness over time than those who don’t.3. Lottery winnings create only temporary, short-term happiness. Winning the lottery makes people happy in the moment, but that happiness fades fairly quickly and then people return to their prior level of happiness. People who have won the lottery appear to be no more happy than those who haven’t in the long run. Sure, we could all use the extra money, so play the lottery or gamble only what you can afford and for the sheer enjoyment of doing so — not for the potential big windfall. 4. Relationships are a key factor in long-term happiness. While research has demonstrated that this effect is strongest for married people, other research has shown that strong social connections with others are important to our own happiness. The more of these you have, generally, the happier you will be. Andwith iwhile marriage is significantly correlated ncreased happiness, it has to be a strong, healthy marriage in order for that to be true.5. Focus on experiences, not stuff. People who spend their time and money on doing things together — whether it be taking a vacation to someplace other than home or going on an all-day outing to the local zoo — report higher levels of happiness than those who buy a bigger house, a more expensive car, or more stuff. That’s likely because our memories keep an emotional photograph of the experience, whereas the material things don’t make as big an emotional imprint in our brains. So ditch buying so much stuff for yourself or your kids — you’re only buying artificial, temporary happiness.The Darker Side of Happiness ResearchYou should also be aware that there is a growing backlash against such “happiness psychology.” After reading an except from Barbara Ehrenreich’s book, “Bright-Sided: How the RelentlessPromotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America,” I can say I haven’t been impressed by the first round of criticism. In this excerpt, Ehrenreich demonstrates her own lack of basic psychological science grounding in tangents about psychological assessment design and whether a simplistic equation used for illustrative purposes really captures “happiness.” It appears to be a very uneven book where she makes arguments based upon personalities (Seligman’s, for example) and specious connections (The Templeton Foundation). These are both Logic 101 fallacies (personal attack and guilt by association) that, while making for interesting reading, does little to address the positive psychology research itself.There are legitimate criticisms to level at the field. For example, a great deal of the research in positive psychology is conducted on college students for course credit. College students, the vast majority of who are in the late teens or early adulthood, are not representative of the general population (findings from college research don’t always hold up when done with a more representative sample). And many studies are done in an artificial laboratory setting, where the researchers have set up an experimental situation that may or may not be representative of the real world. They do this so they can control all the variables except that which they are studying, but it create an artificial environment that while trying to mimic the real world, often falls far short. Human behavior is so complex that how we react toward researchers in a university lab setting may be very different how we react in a natural setting with our friends and family.The five tips here, however, don’t suffer from these problems. They are reliable conclusions that you can put into practice in your life today. You do have control over how happy you want or allow yourself to be.

Networking is something we all do naturally and effortlessly without thinking about. If you move to a new town and need a dentist, you start asking neighbors and colleagues for a referral. Business networking can be just as natural and easy. However, if you've ever attended a networking event or business meeting to arrive back at the office with stacks of business cards you've collected and then can't remember who the vast majority of these people are, you will realize the importance of being memorable and making a lasting impression.

1. Get Your Personal and Emotional Needs Met. Before you even bother attending any events or functions, first figure out what your needs are and get them met. Why? Because we instinctively run from neediness in any form, and since all humans have personal and emotional needs you might as well find out what yours are and then get them satisfied so you aren't running around repelling the very people you want to attract. Take the free Emotional Index Quiz to get a list of your top four needs.

2. Prepare and Perfect Your Elevator Speech. Make sure it is short, punchy, memorable and benefit-based. E.g. “Hello, I'm Ted Johnson. I alleviate chronic pain. I'm a chirpopractor.” Or, “ I'm Tammy Burch..I help people knock down road blocks, Im a Life Coach.

3. Get there Early. If you are one of the first there, then newcomers will come to you. If you are late, you'll have to elbow your way into a group.

4. Go for Quality over Quantity. Over the years I've learned that if I come away from a meeting or event with one person who I really connect with, I've done well. I used to try to meet as many people as possible and collect as many cards as I could. Now I realize it is much better to walk away having had one really good conversation or making one real connection than with fifty business cards that are meaningless.

5. Be Memorable. If you do go to an event or function, you'll want to be memorable. It helps if you have a prop or a visual image that reinforces your message or business. A computer programmer might have a microchip lapel pin. If you are in a creative business, make sure you attire looks creative and helps to brand your business. If you have a chance to introduce yourself, a fun visual prop will help you stand out from the crowd.

6. Speak Clearly and Concisely. Avoid umm's and ahs's like the plague. If you have this bad habit, join your local Toastmaster's International group and practice your speaking there.

7. Ask Three Powerful Questions. We are more likely to like and remember the person who listens to us than than the person who talks. So be that person who gets others talking by asking three great open-ended questions such as: What got you started in this business or line of work? What do you enjoy most about what you do? Tell me about your favorite customers so that I can refer prospects to you.

8. Do What Works for You. There is no rule that to build a networker you have to be an extrovert and go to functions and shake hands with loads of people. Some of the most successful networkers are introverts who have built up a community of followers online through blogs or Facebook or Twitter. Use your natural strengths and abilities to create a network of people. If you like writing, start blogging about your field or business. If you like parties, host them or attend them. If you like going to business functions do that. Thanks to the internet and social media, you can easily build a powerful network from your desk.

9. Add Value at Every Interaction. People love being acknowledged so this is a simple and easy way to add value. “Your introduction was very clear. Nice to meet you. I'm....” Or offer to introduce them to other's in the room. Invite them to a free seminar that might be of interest. Give them a good resource. If you focus on being of service to those you meet, you'll avoid coming across as being pushy or desperate.

10. Follow-up Immediately. Not just on all referrals you've been given, but also on anything you said you do. Thank the person who referred you with a personal note, phone call or letter. It helps if you jot down any promises you've made on the back of the business card they gave you so you remember. Another tip. Keep your business cards in one pocket and the ones you collect in another. If you don't have time to follow-up immediately, say so. “I'll be travelling for two weeks. Is it okay if I get back to you then?” If you can't be bothered to follow-up, then don't bother going in the first place!

The key to being a natural networker is to find the groups you resonate with and join them, whether online or in person. When you are relaxed and can be yourself, you'll connect with the right people. Try too hard and you'll come across as needy, desperate or annoying.

If you feel you don’t have the time to organize every nook and cranny, start with these quick and easy steps:

1. Do the 5-things DashWalk into each room of your home with a box or garbage bag and choose five things you can throw out or donate. Choose duplicates or items that are worn out, outdated or rarely used.

2. Eliminate the ExpiredGather all your medication, vitamins, and over-the counter drugs in a bin. While listening to music or relaxing in front of the TV, begin looking at each item’s expiry date. Have a bag nearby to toss the outdated items and take them to the drug store for safe disposal. Store current medications in a cool, dark place out of children’s reach.

3. Toss the ToiletriesJust before brushing your teeth every night or jumping in the shower in the morning, spend just 5 minutes getting rid of bath, skin and hair products that didn’t live up to their promises. By the end of the week, you’ll have more storage space in your bathroom and easier access to the items you use regularly.

4. Clear the CountersRemove anything you don’t use daily from your kitchen counters. Put out an attractive bowl or basket as a catch-all for items that usually end up cluttering the counters. When the container is full, spend a few minutes going through it and either purge items or place them where they belong. Reward your efforts by displaying a vase of fresh flowers or a pot of spring bulbs on your counters.

5. Eliminate Under-Used UtensilsWhile waiting for water to boil or the oven to preheat, go through your utensil drawer and eliminate items you don’t use. Go through your kitchen ‘junk drawer’ and see what treasures you’ve forgotten about and what trash you can remove.

6. Move it ElsewhereEach time you leave a room, get into the habit of scanning it to see which items don’t belong in the space. If any of those items go in the room you are heading towards, take them with you. If something belongs upstairs, place it in a wicker basket you keep at the bottom of the stairs and take it to the proper room next time you go up.

7. Get the Family in GearMake a game out of de-cluttering by getting the whole family involved. Give everyone a box, put on some up-beat music, set a timer and see who can discard the most items from their room. Take the donations to charity and then choose a token prize for the winner and a reward for the entire family.

8. Do the Season-SwapNow is the time to put away the winter coats, boots and wooly hats and bring out the sun hats, rain jackets and umbrellas. Be sure to dry-clean all items before storing, even if they look clean. Body oils and not-yet-visible food stains attract moths. If you don’t have an extra closet, a rolling garment rack stored in the basement or spare room is ideal for winter coats during the summer

.9. Cut Clothing ClutterPut aside about half an hour to step into your closet and pull out any winter items you didn’t wear this year, while it’s still fresh in your mind. If you didn’t wear it this winter, you likely won’t wear it next, so let it go now rather than storing it for another year.

10. ‘Cut the Cord’ on ElectronicsAttached to your electrical gadgets? Perhaps it’s time to make a clean break. As we acquire the latest and greatest gadgets, we also need to get rid of the old, obsolete ones so that electronic clutter doesn’t take over our space. Gather up all the electronics you no longer use or want and take them to a nearby recycling depot, where they will be reused or recycled safely rather than end up in landfills. Look up a no-cost drop off locations in your area. Hellen Buttigieg

Prioritize – Organize and focus on what really matters. This means establishing priorities for

what you need to do and want to do daily. All, in that order. There are daily events that must be

attended to, such as going to work, shopping for groceries and feeding the family. Then there are

the events that you want to do, such as pursuing your hobby, answering emails and taking that

relaxing bath. It is a myth that you must spend the exact amount of time on every item in your

life’s pie chart. In fact, attempting to do everything equally can establish patterns of mediocrity

instead of opening you to extraordinary feats and accomplishments when you focus. Your

balance is found in attending to the parts of your life, but not always focusing in equal

increments. So, go ahead and put time into exploring your creative whim.

Simplify – Learn to not over commit. You can say no to extra activities and say yes to your

priorities. Sometimes you may want to be extra-involved in certain activities and at other times,

you may need to shy away from these same commitments. This is natural and not flaky. It is only

flaky when you first commit and then drop out. Avoid this by simplifying and saying yes to what matters and is important. Balance arrives when you are fully present within your commitments

and give yourself permission to choose.

Emotions – Experience the breadth and depth of your emotions. When you avoid your deeper,

tougher emotions, which could be anger for some and love for others, you cause an unhealthy

internal imbalance. You grow your psychological balance through expressing and understanding

the nature of your moods and feelings, not by remaining placid. You get to learn about your

inner strengths and human nature when you own and accept who you are regardless if you feel

fearful or happy. Quit judging your emotions. Emotion is a channel of energy that allows you to

learn about your world. It is true that the levels of great joy one feels in life are proportionate to

the depths of hardship ones also experiences. Understand that emotion is energy in motion and

energy must continually flow to be balanced. Experience, express, but do not hold on.

Flexibility – Understand that balance is an ever-evolving dynamic. It involves movement and the

Inevitability of change. New events occurring within your life can leave you feeling anxious, stressed-out and overwhelmed. These feelings worsen when

you resist the change these events bring into your life in the present. By clinging to what was,

you loose focus and are further removed from your internal locus of balance. Instead, experience

your emotions, listen to them and implement their teachings. Balance is found in being flexible

to, what and where life leads you in the present moment and by not clinging to or controlling it.

Often, balance arrives by being thrown off balance!

Is it possible to live a balanced life?Yes you can, when you understand that balance is not a

static state where you will arrive some day. It is through the path of

imbalance that you come to know the fine art of finding balance within your life

Gratitude means thankfulness, counting your blessings, noticing simple pleasures, appreciating the people in your life, and acknowledging everything that you receive. It means learning to live your life as if everything were a miracle.Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present.In addition, behavioral and psychological research has shown the surprising life improvements that can stem from the practice of gratitude. Giving thanks makes people happier and more resilient, it strengthens relationships, it improves health, and it reduces stress.

Discover how you can bring more gratitude, and therefore happiness, into your life.

Gratitude and Happiness: How Being Grateful Can Have a Huge Positive Impact On Your Life...

Gratitude Tip #1

An exercise you can try is to write a gratitude letter to a person who has exerted a positive influence in your life but whom you have not properly thanked. Some experts suggest that you set up a meeting with this person and read the letter to them face to face.

Scientific Research on the Effects of Gratitude on Happiness

Dr. Robert Emmons of the University of California at Davis has been studying gratitude for almost ten years and is considered by many to be the world's leading authority on gratitude. He's the author of the book, "Thanks!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier".

The information in this book is based on research involving thousands of people conducted by a number of different researchers around the world. One of the things these studies show is that practicing gratitude can increase happiness levels by around 25%. This is significant, among other things, because just as there's a certain weight that feels natural to your body and which your body strives to maintain, your basic level of happiness is set at a predetermined point.

If something bad happens to you during the day, your happiness can drop momentarily, but then it returns to its natural set-point. Likewise, if something positive happens to you, your level of happiness rises, and then it returns once again to your "happiness set-point". A practice of gratitude raises your "happiness set-point" so you can remain at a higher level of happiness regardless of outside circumstances.

In addition, Dr. Emmons' research shows that those who practice gratitude tend to be more creative, bounce back more quickly from adversity, have a stronger immune system, and have stronger social relationships than those who don't practice gratitude. He further points out that "To say we feel grateful is not to say that everything in our lives is necessarily great. It just means we are aware of our blessings."

Gratitude Quote: Gratitude is an art of painting an adversity into a lovely picture. ~Kak Sri

Imagine losing some of the things that you take for granted, such as your home, your ability to see or hear, your ability to walk, or anything that currently gives you comfort. Then imagine getting each of these things back, one by one, and consider how grateful you would be for each and every one.

Gratitude Tip #2

Start finding joy in the small things instead of holding out for big achievements-such as getting the promotion, having a comfortable nest egg saved up, getting married, having the baby, and so on-before allowing yourself to feel gratitude and joy.

The Study

Dr. Emmons and Dr. Michael McCollough of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, conducted an experiment on gratitude and its impact on well-being. The study split several hundred people into three different groups and all of the participants were asked to keep daily diaries.

The first group kept a diary of the events that occurred during the day without being told specifically to write about either good or bad things; the second group was told to record their unpleasant experiences; and the last group was instructed to make a daily list of things for which they were grateful.

The results of the study indicated that daily gratitude exercises resulted in higher reported levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, optimism, and energy. In addition, those in the gratitude group experienced less depression and stress, were more likely to help others, exercised more regularly, and made greater progress toward achieving personal goals.

Create a Gratitude Charm Bracelet

Your gratitude bracelet can have one meaningful charm or different charms representing the things you're most grateful for.

For example, you could have a charm shaped like a heart to symbolize your significant other, figurines to represent different family members, an apple to represent health, a dollar sign to symbolize abundance, a charm that represents your current profession or a future career, and maybe a charm that makes you laugh to represent humor and joy.

Gratitude Tip #3

Use gratitude to help you put things in their proper perspective. In the face of adversity ask yourself: "What's good about this?", "What can I learn from this?", and "How can I benefit from this?"

Keep a Gratitude Journal

Each day write down at least five things for which you are thankful. Remain mindful while completing this exercise, don't just rush throughout it absent-mindedly. You can remain mindful by visualizing or re-experiencing the situations you're giving thanks for.

Do A Gratitude Dance:-)

Gratitude Tip #4

Take a gratitude stroll. Go for a walk and see how many positive things you can find: a mother walking her baby, the smells coming from the bistro, a shop with a beautiful dress in the window, flowers growing on a window sill .. .

. . . the natural principle that action and reaction are always equal and in opposite directions. The grateful outreaching of your mind in thankful praise to supreme intelligence is a liberation or expenditure of force. It cannot fail to reach that to which it is addressed, and the reaction is an instantaneous movement toward you."

“I want to discover and obtain my Ideal Income Position”

Do what you love and love what you do and be compensated very well for the great results you produce..

“I want to discover then achieve true Life Balance.”

Enjoy and thrive in your personal life, your work life, and your family life simultaneously, without guilt or internal conflicts.

“I want to become a more successful and productive leader.”

Clarify your vision and develop your leadership qualities to build your team to achieve your objectives.

“I want to start my own business.”

Start a successful and enjoyable business the first time out.

“I want to find a new new and enjoyable career and still be the parent I want to be.”

Develop your additional career where you thrive and continue to be a successful parent simultaneously.

I want to transition into my most enjoyable and prosperous retirement.”

Create your new life conditions to fit your desires and goals on your terms the way you deserve.

“I want to reach my desired weight and improve my health.”

Take control of your body to achieve your real weight and health objectives without guilt and less stress.

Even the most courageous people have fears to overcome. Are you afraid of something tangible, like spiders or heights? Maybe you fear change or failure, or something else that's more difficult to pin down. No matter what it is that scares you, learn how to acknowledge, confront and take ownership of your fear to keep it from holding you back in life.

Analyze Your Fear

1. Start by acknowledging it:

It's easy to ignore or deny our fears, even to ourselves, in a society that stresses the importance of being strong and brave. But courage can't come into play unless you have a fear to face down. By owning your feelings you've taken the first step toward gaining control over the situation.

2. Name your fear...sometimes fear makes itself known immediately other times not so much. Let your fear rise to the surface so that you know what it is you are trying to overcome. Write it down, writing it down is a way of acknowledging you have a problem you want to overcome.

3. Define its contours: What is the history of your fear? What triggers your fear? How does your fear affect you? Is the source of your fear actually dangerous? Is the source of your fear actually dangerous?

4. Imagine the outcome you desire:

If your fear is commitment, your first concrete goal may be to date someone for longer than a month.

If your fear is heights, you may want to be able to go on a hiking trip with the outdoor club or with some friends .

If your fear is spiders, you might want to be able to handle seeing a spider in your bathroom next time that situation arises.

5. Take Control of Your Fear:

Try gradual desensitization, Consider direct confrontation, Don't let the momentum subside. ( Stay determined to persevere )

6. Change the Way You Think About Fear:

Make your fear a source of fascination, Start seeing fear as an opportunity.

7. Give Fear a Place in Your Life: Let yourself be afraid sometimes.

There's no way to completely eliminate fear from your life. It's as valid an emotion as joy or sadness. Fear builds character and teaches us how to act with courage.

Last and certainly not least.....

8. CELEBRATE YOUR VICTORIES....Celebrate each milestone big or small;

Hypnosis can help you overcome your fears and phobias: Hypnosis provides an extremely effective cure for these problems as it provides the opposite of anxiety - deep relaxation. At the same time, it teaches the mind a different way of responding to the feared object or situation.

Hypnosis for phobias works by detaching the stimulus (trigger object) from the emotional response (fear) and ' updating' the brain with a new, more realistic response.

Prioritize – Organize and focus on what really matters. This means establishing priorities for

what you need to do and want to do daily. All, in that order. There are daily events that must be

attended to, such as going to work, shopping for groceries and feeding the family. Then there are

the events that you want to do, such as pursuing your hobby, answering emails and taking that

relaxing bath. It is a myth that you must spend the exact amount of time on every item in your

life’s pie chart. In fact, attempting to do everything equally can establish patterns of mediocrity

instead of opening you to extraordinary feats and accomplishments when you focus. Your

balance is found in attending to the parts of your life, but not always focusing in equal

increments. So, go ahead and put time into exploring your creative whim.

Simplify – Learn to not over commit. You can say no to extra activities and say yes to your

priorities. Sometimes you may want to be extra-involved in certain activities and at other times,

you may need to shy away from these same commitments. This is natural and not flaky. It is only

flaky when you first commit and then drop out. Avoid this by simplifying and saying yes to what matters and is important. Balance arrives when you are fully present within your commitments

and give yourself permission to choose.

Emotions – Experience the breadth and depth of your emotions. When you avoid your deeper,

tougher emotions, which could be anger for some and love for others, you cause an unhealthy

internal imbalance. You grow your psychological balance through expressing and understanding

the nature of your moods and feelings, not by remaining placid. You get to learn about your

inner strengths and human nature when you own and accept who you are regardless if you feel

fearful or happy. Quit judging your emotions. Emotion is a channel of energy that allows you to

learn about your world. It is true that the levels of great joy one feels in life are proportionate to

the depths of hardship ones also experiences. Understand that emotion is energy in motion and

energy must continually flow to be balanced. Experience, express, but do not hold on.

Flexibility – Understand that balance is an ever-evolving dynamic. It involves movement and the

Inevitability of change. New events occurring within your life can leave you feeling anxious, stressed-out and overwhelmed. These feelings worsen when

you resist the change these events bring into your life in the present. By clinging to what was,

you loose focus and are further removed from your internal locus of balance. Instead, experience

your emotions, listen to them and implement their teachings. Balance is found in being flexible

to, what and where life leads you in the present moment and by not clinging to or controlling it.

Often, balance arrives by being thrown off balance!

Is it possible to live a balanced life?Yes you can, when you understand that balance is not a

static state where you will arrive some day. It is through the path of

imbalance that you come to know the fine art of finding balance within your life.

Here is a simple reminder list of a few steps you can take to well-being...

Be kind to yourself.

Our culture, genetics ,religion ,upbringing ,education ,gender ,sexuality, beliefs and life experiences make us who we are. We all have bad days.

Being kind to yourself. Encourage rather than criticize yourself. Treat yourself the way you would treat a friend in the same situation.

Eat healthy

Eat regularly , eat breakfast ,eat healthily,eat fruit and vegetables and drink plenty of water.

Exercise regularly

Being active helps lift our mood ,reduces stress and anxiety improves physical health and gives us more energy.

Get outside ,if you can... near a green space or near water.

Find an activity you enjoy doing and just do it.

Help others

Get involved with the community project ,charity work or simply help someone you know.

As well as benefiting others ...you will be doing something worthwhile which will help you feel better about yourself.

Take up a hobby and or learn a new skill.

Increase your confidence and interest, meet others or prepare for finding work.

Connect with others.

Stay in touch with family and friends make regular and frequent contact with them.

Have some fun and /or be creative

Having fun or being creative helps us feel better and increases our confidence .

Enjoy yourself!

Beware of alcohol and drugs

Avoid using alcohol or drugs to help you cope.... it will only add to your problems.

Balance sleep

Get into a healthy sleep routine including going to bed and getting up at the same time each day.

Relax

Make time for yourself. Allow yourself to chill out and relax . Find something that suits you ....different things work for different people . Breath.......imagine a balloon in your belly inflating and deflating as you breathe in and out.

See the bigger picture.

We all give different meaning to situation and see things from our point of view.

Broaden out your perspective and consider the bigger picture ....(the helicopter view)

What meaning am I giving this? is this fact or opinion ?how would others see it ?is there another way of looking at this? how important is it or will it be in a years time ?what can I do right now that will help the most?

Excepting; ' it is as it is'

We tend to fight against distressing thoughts and feelings ...but we can learn to just notice them and give up the struggle.

Some situations we just can't change .we can surf those waves rather than try to stop them.

Allow those thoughts and sensations just to be...... they will pass

Be Grateful

Think of anything you can to be grateful for and take a minute to ponder on it.....we all have things in our lives to be grateful for.

Believe and have Faith ..

Spirituality and Physical Health ;

Doctors and scientists once avoided the study of spirituality in connection to medicine, but findings within the past 10 years have made some take a second look. Studies show that religion and faith can help to promote good health and fight disease by:

offering additional social supports, such as religious outreach groups

improving coping skills through prayer and a philosophy that all things have a purpose

In a 7-year study of senior citizens, religious involvement was associated with less physical disability and less depression. Death rates were lower than expected before an important religious holiday, which suggested to researchers that faith might have postponed death in these cases.

Elderly people who regularly attended religious services had healthier immune systems than those who didn't. They were also more likely to have consistently lower blood pressure.

Patients undergoing open-heart surgery who received strength and comfort from their religion were three times more likely to survive than those who had no religious ties.

Spirituality and Mental Health;

Religious and spiritual beliefs are an important part of how many people deal with life's joys and hardships. Faith can provide people with a sense of purpose and guidelines for living.

Medical studies have confirmed that spirituality can have a profound effect on mental states. In a study of men who were hospitalized, nearly half rated religion as helpful in coping with their illness. A second study showed that the more religious patients were, the more quickly they recovered from some disorders. A third study revealed that high levels of hope and optimism, key factors in fighting depression, were found among those who strictly practiced their religion.