Making Mums Happy: day 5
Thought for the day: 'Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect. It means you have decided to look beyond the imperfections' – Gerard Way
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10 happiness principles
- Count your blessings
- Have a good laugh every day
- Do a good turn with a daily kindness
- Treat yourself every day
- Cut TV viewing and make time
- Say hello to a stranger
- Look after something you've planted
- Get physical
- Phone a friend
- Indulge in some Talk time
- Day to day happiness
Welcome to Day 5 of Making Mums Happy
You're now a third of the way through the course. Well done for getting this far! Is it making any difference to you? Some of the ideas may seem simplistic, but they are all rooted in some scientifically proven happiness principle and after trying at least some of them out, we hope that you're getting the idea and feeling inspired. Today is about reflecting and being proud of what you have achieved. Remember, you don't need to do the tasks we set in each email all at once; sometimes just having a plan is enough to lighten your spirits.
Talk to other mums taking part in Making Mums Happy, in the Happiness Club.
Here are your happiness tasks for today!
Write in your happiness diary
Your Happiness Diary task today is to just read back over what you've written so far... maybe make a few notes, add in something or someone you forgot. Reflect a little on what a lot of things you have to be grateful for. We've suggested you write something in the last 4 emails - that's 4 days, 10 things each day... 40 things in your life to be grateful for. And there's still today to cram some more in!
Turn off the TV
Sorry to be repetitive but it's really important - it's been proven that watching less telly makes you happier. Strangely, reading doesn't have the same negative effect. It's good to read. Do you get time to read? Maybe you could join or visit the Library one evening on your own - it's such a peaceful place and very calming to sit surrounded by books. Don't forget there's also Netmums book club if you can't get to the Library and need some suggestions for a good read.
Have a daily laugh
It's funny how easy it is to have a laugh when you're open to it, isn't it? Have you managed a belly laugh yet this week? Why not have a look in the Happiness Club to see what's been making other people chuckle this week.
The science: therapeutic benefits of laughter
Dr. Lee Berk and fellow Researcher Dr. Stanley Tan of Loma Linda University in California, have been studying the effects of laughter on the immune system. To date their published studies have shown that laughing lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, increases muscle flexion, and boosts immune function by raising levels of infection-fighting T-cells and disease-fighting proteins called Gamma-interferon and B-cells. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers and produces a general sense of well-being.
Time to reflect
Keeping with the reflective theme, can you find your way to a church, chapel, synagogue or other holy building today or sometime this weekend? There is an atmosphere in a holy place which, even if you are not religious, seems to penetrate right through the walls. Alternatively, gardens are a great place to find some peace.
Spend 10 minutes just reflecting on the quietness, calmness and peace.Try to empty your mind of daily chatter and noise and busy thoughts. Imagine the peace seeping into you and through you. If they have candles, light one, leaving a little light shining behind you and taking the peace with you.
On your way home, smile and say hello to someone you pass by. Imagine sending some of the peace you are carrying through your smile to that other person.
Connect with the world
A key part of the 'happiness prescription' is making connections - connecting with strangers and doing something kind for someone else.
Amnesty International is a wonderful organisation which is involved in lots of campaigns to help people. Sometimes all they want from you is a signature, or to ask you to send an email to a leader or a person in a position of influence. Its about people power - if enough people care, collectively we can make a difference. You can see a list of their campaigns here. Choose one and sign up to support that campaign.
Get into music
Now for a complete change of pace and a bit of fun ...
Do you have iTunes or some other music download software (Napster or Easy Music) on your iPod or PC?
We want you to think of a song from when you were a teenager. Not a sad song that reminds you of your broken heart, but something that you danced to at the school disco.
Depending on your age or stage, how about something from Take That, Spice Girls, Britney Spears, Whitney Houston, Abba or All Saints?
Here are some suggestions from the Netmums team:
- Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You
- Britney Spears - Baby One More Time
- Olivia Newton John and John Travolta - Summer Nights
- Kylie - Never Too Late
- Spice Girls - Wannabe
- Abba - Waterloo
- Wham! - Wake Me Up Before You Go Go
- Duran Duran - Girls on Film
- Bon Jovi - Living on a Prayer
- Talk Talk - It's my Life
- Ultravox - Vienna
- Blondie - Atomic
- Robbie Williams - Angels
- Take That - Back for Good
- Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
- Rose Royce - Car Wash
- Bangles - Manic Monday
- Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come on Eileen
- Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive
- Weather Girls - Raining Men
- Bryan Adams - Summer of '69
- B52s - Love Shack
- Bananarama - Venus
- Joan Jett - I Love Rock n Roll
Sing to it, dance to it, play it loudly in your car. Your kids will think you've gone mad, but honestly, it's the best bit of happiness you can buy for £1!
