Category: Happiness & Gratitude

Being A Happy Person

Are you happy? Why? Why not? This challenge in our lives is a multi-faceted journey that involves nurturing various aspects of your life. Being a happy person means following these important tips below.

Practice Gratitude: Take time each day to reflect on the things you’re grateful for. This could be as simple as appreciating a beautiful sunrise or expressing gratitude for the people in your life.

Focus on the Present: Learn to savor the present moment rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Mindfulness techniques like deep breathing or meditation can help anchor you in the present.

Cultivate Positive Relationships: Surround yourself with supportive and uplifting people who bring out the best in you. Nurturing meaningful connections with friends, family, and community can significantly impact your happiness.

Engage in Activities You Enjoy: Make time for hobbies and activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. Whether it’s painting, hiking, or playing music, prioritizing activities that you love can boost your mood and overall well-being.

Take Care of Your Body: Prioritize self-care by getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly. Physical health and mental well-being are closely intertwined, so caring for your body can contribute to greater happiness.

Set Meaningful Goals: Identify goals that align with your values and aspirations, whether they are related to your career, relationships, or personal growth. Working towards meaningful objectives can give you a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind and forgiving to yourself, especially during challenging times. Embrace your imperfections and treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a friend.

Cultivate Optimism: Foster a positive outlook on life by reframing negative thoughts and focusing on potential solutions rather than dwelling on problems. Cultivating optimism can help you navigate life’s challenges with resilience and hope.

Give Back: Engage in acts of kindness and generosity, whether it’s volunteering in your community or supporting a friend in need. Helping others can foster a sense of connection and purpose, contributing to your happiness.

Seek Professional Help if Needed: If you’re struggling with persistent feelings of unhappiness or mental health issues, don’t hesitate to seek support from a therapist or counselor. They can provide valuable guidance and tools to help you navigate your journey towards happiness.

Remember, being a happy person means you must understand that happiness is a journey, not a destination. It’s okay to experience ups and downs along the way. By cultivating positive habits and nurturing your well-being, you can gradually increase your happiness and lead a more fulfilling life.

Yoga Makes You Feel Good!

The osteopathic approach to wellness focuses on your body’s natural tendency toward health and self-healing. “The purpose of yoga is to build strength, awareness, and harmony in both the mind and body,” explains Natalie Nevins, DO, a board-certified osteopathic family physician, and certified Kundalini Yoga instructor. In other words, yoga makes you feel good!

While there are more than 100 different types, or schools, of yoga, most sessions typically include breathing exercises, meditation, and assuming postures (sometimes called asana or poses) that stretch and flex various muscle groups.

“As an osteopathic physician, I focus a lot of my efforts on preventive medicine and practices, and on the body’s ability to heal itself,” says Dr. Nevins. “Yoga is a great tool for staying healthy because it’s based on similar principles.”

Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine​, focus on prevention by examining how your lifestyle and environment impact your health, rather than just treating your symptoms. They also complete extensive postgraduate and clinical training before becoming fully licensed physicians. Compare physician training requirements to those required for other types of clinicians.

Beginners Welcome

Because there are so many different kinds of yoga practices, anyone can start. “Whether you’re a couch potato or a professional athlete, size and fitness levels do not matter because there are modifications for every yoga pose and beginner class in every style,” says Dr. Nevins. “The idea is to explore your limits, not strive for some pretzel-like perfection. It is a great way to get in tune with your body and your inner self.”​

Physical Benefits

“The relaxation techniques incorporated in yoga can lessen chronic pain, such as lower back pain, arthritis, headaches, and carpal tunnel syndrome,” explains Dr. Nevins. “Yoga can also lower blood pressure and reduce insomnia.”

Other physical benefits of yoga include increased flexibility, increased muscle strength and tone, improved respiration, energy, and vitality, maintaining a balanced metabolism, weight reduction, cardio, and circulatory health, improved athletic performance, and protection from injury.

Yoga Makes You Feel Good | Mental Benefits

Aside from the physical benefits, one of the best benefits of yoga is how it helps a person manage stress, which is known to have devastating effects on the body and mind. “Stress can reveal itself in many ways, including back or neck pain, sleeping problems, headaches, drug abuse, and an inability to concentrate,” says Dr. Nevins. “Yoga can be very effective in developing coping skills and reaching a more positive outlook on life.”

Yoga’s incorporation of meditation and breathing can help improve a person’s mental well-being. “Regular yoga practice creates mental clarity and calmness; increases body awareness; relieves chronic stress patterns; relaxes the mind; centers attention; sharpens concentration,” says Dr. Nevins. Body- and self-awareness are particularly beneficial, adding, “because they can help with early detection of physical problems and allow for early preventive action.”