July 26. Journaling Your Way to Happy

Journaling to Happy

There are a lot of articles out there on ways that help people live happier lives. Most people want ideas on how to eliminate stress and feel happier. I like the work of Harvard's Shawn Achor. In his TED talk, he describes a short list of activities that help create an optimistic mindset. The big benefits of a positive outlook include:

1. Reduction in Stress
2. Better Health
3. Increased Productivity
4. Positive Social Interaction

One activity on his list of ways to feel better was daily journal writing.  To make it easy on yourself, he recommends keeping it short and on one topic. The subject? Describing an event where you felt happy. Writing about it recreates the brain chemistry you had when the event first happened. Your brain, then, gets to keep reliving something enjoyable. Doing this daily gets your brain tuned in to more positive experiences. It also opens you up to opportunities for more of the same.

For the next 3 weeks, take 5 minutes of each day to write.  Describe a time where you felt happy. Feel yourself smile and see what a difference it makes in the way you see things.