How to Bring More Joy Into Your Life
Life sure can be hard from time to time. It’s important that we have buffers that help to protect us from the hardships we have to face. And what could be a better buffer than joy? If you’ve got enough of that in your life, then you’ll be able to withstand much more than if you didn’t have joyful moments and experiences.
While joy can seem like a vague concept, it’s actually more straightforward than many of us realize. You can think of joy as an action rather than a state of being. In this article, I’ll run through a host of ways that you can bring some extra joy into your world.
Wake Up Early
Not everyone likes the idea of getting out of bed earlier than they need to, but it’s something worth looking into. A lot of the chaos of the world comes later in the day when everyone’s up and out — but in the early morning, it can feel like you have the whole planet to yourself. Plus, you’ll have time to do, well, whatever you want. Give it a try for a couple of weeks, and you might just find that your early morning rises become your favourite part of the day.
Practice Yoga
Yoga is something that many people have heard of and perhaps also want to do, yet they hold off, perhaps because they think it’s difficult. While it does take a bit of an effort to get up off the couch and do a yoga session, there’s a lot of value in doing so: virtually no one finishes an hour of yoga in a bad mood. It’s one of those things that can really give your mental health a boost. There are physical benefits, too — your body will never feel as loose and comfortable as it does once you’ve been doing yoga for a few weeks.
Join a Singing Group
If people are reluctant to try yoga, they’re positively against the idea of joining a singing group. But hear us out before you dismiss the suggestions. It’s one of the best ways to make yourself feel good. Humans have been singing together for thousands of years, and it’s only recently that we fell out of the habit. There have been plenty of studies that show that communal singing is good for mental health. You’ll feel that your soul and spirit have been elevated, even after a single class.
The Joy of Cooking
Our mood is often dictated by our attitude. Many people resent the idea that they have to cook a meal each evening. But what if they enjoyed cooking? Then, they’d have something that they would like to do each and every night. If you’re not currently a happy chef, look at making some changes. You’ll enjoy cooking a lot more if you know how to use ingredients correctly, have a pleasant place to cook and find ways to make the process fun such as playing music and having a glass of wine.
Bring an Animal Into Your World
There’s a tried and tested way to bring some more joy into your life: get a pet! Of course, some pets will make you happier than others; a gerbil is unlikely to enrich your life too much (no offence to gerbils…), after all. But what about a dog? Our canine friends really bring so much to our lives. If you give them a dose of love, they’ll return it to you ten times over. So look at getting a breed of dog that is known for being lovable and good for households; silver lab puppies, such as those available on this website, are particularly good in this regard. Of course, you should ensure that you’re ready to bring a dog into your life, but if you are, it’s highly unlikely to be something that you regret once you’ve got one!
Go Into Nature
Most of us live in cities these days. Yet, while there are obvious advantages to living in a cosmopolitan city, it’s also true that they can be a bit draining. Taking a trip into the great outdoors can help to show you new perspectives, plus it can be good for your mental and physical wellbeing. Studies have shown that spending two hours in nature a week can have a significant impact on symptoms of depression and anxiety. Plus, it’s just fun. No matter where you live, you’ll find that there’s some nature nearby, so why not plan on taking a day trip next weekend?
Enjoy the Small Things
We tend to focus on the big things in life, but the truth is that it’s the small things that make up life. You don’t need to wait for the obviously positive moments to roll around before you can feel joy; if you learn to cultivate presence of mind, you’ll find that you can enjoy the many small pleasures that life regularly throws in your path. If you have a nice experience, then appreciate it! It could be something as simple as having a coffee with a friend or seeing people happy in the street. These things can boost your happiness levels, but only if you learn to notice these moments when they come your way.
Take a Trip
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut. But it’s also worth remembering that there are ways to get out of the routine. For example, by taking a trip. This does require some planning, as well, of course, as some money and a clear schedule, but if you navigate those two issues, then you’ll be in a strong position to get some fun in your life. You can take a trip in the UK (there are plenty of awesome places worth visiting), or you can head overseas somewhere else. Go on the trip with a sense of adventure, and you’ll find you’re handsomely rewarded.
Treat Yourself
Not that you necessarily need to travel elsewhere to bring some joy into your life. You can stay right where you are and treat yourself to something nice in your home city. There aren’t too many ailments that a day at a spa or a fancy meal can’t fix!
Start a Creative Hobby
You can get a lot of joy through the act of creation. It’s just that most people don’t spend any time creating. If you think that you’re not a creative person, think again — everyone is creative! Plus, in any case, it’s not about creating something exceptional. You don’t need to show anyone what you’ve done. The simple act of doing it will be enough to bring you joy, even if it remains a secret forever. Personally, I love photography (even though I’m not an expert). Anyone can pick up a camera and get started, and that’s just what I did!
Meet New People
Finally, you could think about meeting new people. We tend to stop meeting new people once we reach a certain age, but there’s a lot of value in doing so — an inspiring person can elevate our standards and make us think in new ways. There are plenty of ways to meet new people, no matter how old you are. It’s all about putting yourself out there and trying something new.
Conclusion
Not feeling as joyful as you’d like to be? Don’t settle for it. You only get one life on this planet; it’s worthwhile finding ways to be happy! Take the tips that we’ve outlined above, and you’ll find that your happiness levels receive a pretty pleasant boost and that you’ve set yourself up for a happy future.