Science has been on the side of what many people call it “mambo jumbo.” Simple actions can improve the way you feel and, therefore, the level of your happiness. It’s called the Science of Happiness.
Studies have shown that the things we believe will make us happy, such as more lottery wins, higher paying job, marriage, or a fancy car doesn’t really make us happy. It’s okay to desire nice things, but if you want to improve the way you feel, you are miswanting. You can do other easier things that will improve the way you feel.
I invite you to a 7-day challenge to improve the way you feel. But before you take on the challenge, I would like for you to do a self-check and rate the way you feel today. On a scale from 1 to 10. How do you feel today?
“1” -not feeling your best, and “10” – feeling greatest.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
At the end of one week, after you have done at least three of the five suggestions that you don’t already normally do, rate how you feel.
Here are the five challenges:
1. Make your bed every day.
When you make your bed daily, you are telling your mind that your day has a beginning and an end. You start with organization and self-discipline. It’s like you are giving yourself a burst of dopamine, the feel-good hormone responsible for delivering a buster when you accomplish things.
2. Clean your car in the next three days.
Some people’s car is a disaster. They not only have the paper wraps from a sandwich they ate three weeks ago, but they also have empty bottles, receipts, banana peels, etc. Clean your car, and you will feel better. This tells your brain that you matter. You are not cleaning your car for a date or a boss. You are doing it for yourself.
3. Donate your old clothes by Saturday.
Go through your closet, draws, cabinets, and find items to donate, at least a bag full. Things that you have not used in the last 12 months, items needing repair, and that you no longer care for. Please do not sell it, donate it. When you make space in your closet, draw, basement, or garage, you declutter your mind and feel better.
Many of my friends have been avoiding letting go of stuff since the Spring. Without moving one item, they believe it will a hard task. Also, it’s possible that a little voice will try to stop you from let go of items you paid too much for it. “What if you need it someday?” Just remember who is in-charge. You are, not your mind that may have been accustomed to focus on scarcity. Your body works for you, not the other way around.
4. Do a random act of kindness to a stranger
Give money to a panhandler, buy the coffee for an estranger on line, or give flowers to your neighbor. Do not wait for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Kindness Day. Those holidays create opportunities for generosity, but they are 3 days out of 365. When you do an act of kindness without expecting something in return, you practice generosity. Proper giving is the express line to wellness. Happy people feel great most of the time.
5. Pamper yourself by Sunday
Treat yourself to something special that you don’t usually do often. Many people do so much to others, but they often forget to self-care. Feel free to indulge and invest in yourself guilty-free. Know that this act of self-care is not to reward yourself for making the bed, cleaning your car, or helping a stranger. That is, for you to show yourself a little love just for being you.
By the end of the week, you will feel much better about yourself and your life. You don’t have to stop in seven days. You could make it a life long habit of being happy.
Please share your results. I would love to hear it
If you like this insight and would like to support other women in improving the quality of their lives, please “LIKE,” “SHARE,” and leave a comment below to share your thoughts. Also, visit the HOME page for more insights into women’s life balance, relationships, spirituality, and leadership. For more inspiration, like my Facebook page and join the Mind, Body, and Wisdom group of like-minded women bmwisdom.
