Based on our Amused Members survey, the top Happiness Challengers for our Secret Society of Happy People Members are weight, money, stress and lack of sleep. I suspect they challenge happiness for everyone else too. The interesting part is that they are intertwined. When we’re stressed or tired we eat comfort foods. When we don’t have money we get stressed and don’t sleep, so we’re tired. It’d make me happy beyond words if I could wave my happy wand and banish these challenges for everyone. But alas I can’t.
However, there are three things you can do right now to simplify your life in time to enjoy the upcoming holiday season:
1. The word “no” is undervalued. The only way to keep yourself from being overscheduled is to know your schedule. That way, you can say yes to the things that you want to do and have time for, and no to the things you that either don’t want or have time to do. You should never feel guilty for saying no. Of course, if someone has an actual crisis, we’re all going to help, busy or not. However, the key word here is “actual” by universal standards – not just a crisis in the eyes of someone asking for your help. If you need help figuring out the difference between an actual and self-made crisis, phone a trusted and emotionally balanced friend. We all have or need at least one.
2. We’re in a cycle of unhappy and concerning news right now. The news from the sad to the scary is real. However, most of it really doesn’t impact us directly. We need to be aware of what’s going on, so we all need to stay informed. However, we don’t need to be bombarded with the news 24 /7, so limit when you watch, read or discuss it. Ban the news at least an hour or more before going to bed ~ the world won’t end and, if it’s about to, someone will call you. When you’re watching the news, don’t keep watching or reading the same speculation news for more than one or two news cycles. It just fills your mind with unnecessary amounts of negative thoughts. After watching or reading about distressing news consider doing something that makes you smile, laugh or feel inspired.
3. Get enough sleep. Most of us need different amounts of sleep, but it’s usually somewhere between 6 and 8 hours a night. You’ll be more productive if you’re getting enough sleep. Also unplug from your electronic devices and try to listen to relaxing music, pray, meditate, cuddle, or read a book before going to sleep so you can have some decompression time. Fill your mind with positive things before closing your eyes to sleep.
Stress happens to virtually everyone. For most of us, it’s about managing how it impacts us. Three ways to reduce the impact include not overscheduling, filling our mind with positive thoughts and getting enough sleep. When we simplify it’s easier to live in all of our moments, including the happy ones, even during the busy holiday season.
The Secret Society of Happy People is proud to share Simplify Your Holidays, a guide to getting organized for this busy holiday season. Sign up today to help you reduce the holiday chaos, and increase holiday happiness.
Written by Pamela Gail
Pamela Gail Johnson founded the Society of Happy People in 1998.
The Society is grounded on Pamela’s four key Practical Happiness Principles:
Pamela identified 31 Types of Happiness that are on the SOHP App Happiness Counter to make it easier to recognize moments of happiness.
Pamela also plans and organizes the Society of Happy People's annual happiness celebrations:
She's also a speaker, trainer, and author.
A few of her personal smile starters include her monthly book club, yoga, traveling and meeting new happy people.