How Being More Expressive Leads To a Happier Life

 

(Contributed Post)

One of the secrets to living a happy and fulfilling life is to be more expressive. And a number of studies prove it. For example, did you know that smiling makes you happier? There’s plenty of science and research around happiness.

Whereas repressing your feelings and bottling up negative emotions can lead to the opposite. Not being able to express yourself will make you feel like you cannot be yourself. It makes it difficult for you to express your emotions and it feels like you have no opportunities to be the “real” you.

Being more expressive with your life choices

A reliable approach to living a happier life is to become more expressive with your lifestyle choices. Spontaneity, participating in activities that bring happiness, and not caring what other people think are all excellent ways to be more expressive.

This can come from almost anything. It could be the jewelry you choose to wear, the fashion choices you make, the way you speak, or even the hobbies that you love. Whether it’s looking for the best body jewelry for any style or finding new friends that enjoy the same hobbies as you do, it’s important to encourage the things that you find fun and enjoyable in life. This helps you become more expressive and unique and ultimately makes you a happier person.

Radiating positivity builds a happy atmosphere around you

It’s common for happy people to radiate the same positivity and infect others with their joy. Typically, happy people have an uncanny power to lift the spirits of the those around them. Whether it’s doing something to make you laugh, giving thoughtful gifts, or just finding the right words to encourage you, their infectious personalities make you smile.

These expressive and joyous people are great to be around because they have so much positive energy–enough to share with everyone! This is a great example of how positive and expressive people tend to live happier and more fulfilled lives.

Overcoming negativity with a positive approach to life

Psychologists have suggested that negativity tends to seep into every area of life. For example, a gloomy person might hide their emotions, and this can cause their interactions with people to be negative. This could also lead to actions that are harmful, or they might always interpret situations with a negative approach.

By being more expressive, true to your emotions, and overall more positive, you’ll find yourself embracing a life full of possibilities that helps you move beyond any negative experiences that you’ve encountered in the past.

The 8 Secrets Happy and Fulfilled Women Practice Everyday

Finding stability and happiness is one of the many challenges we face as modern women. Oftentimes, there are more stressors today for women as there are growth opportunities. If we are not worried about career and family, then there's a good chance we are concerned about our other relationships or feel a sense of low self-esteem.  

The result can be a life where women do not believe in their ability or worth. In these modern times, it requires strength and strong character to seize what life has to offer. If we are not careful, life can be an exhausting and soul-sapping affair.

But it doesn't have to be this way. We can take active steps to find happiness and serenity in our chaotic world. Here's how.  

Avoid Negativity

Negativity destroys dreams, plain and simple. If you want to live a full and joyful life, avoid negativity at all costs. Begin by acknowledging that there is room for improvement and growth if we are committed to actively pursuing it. Many times this requires that we limit our time around negative people. If friends or family members are consistently voicing their negativity, it may be time to sever the relationship if they are unwilling to change. As Hans F. Hansen said, “People inspire you, or they drain you – pick them wisely.” 

The Power of Forgiveness

Truly forgiving another is a powerful practice. While not an easy task by any means, true forgiveness will help you to move forward and live your best life. Be patient and know that healing can take time before you feel whole again. One way to explore forgiveness is to write a letter to the person you feel has harmed you. Include all your thoughts and feelings about the situation. Sign it. Then tear up the letter. Abraham Lincoln used this method throughout his life—and it worked. 

You can also establish new networks of like-minded people for support and a sense of community. Reading inspiring books, magazines, and articles is helpful too. 

Set Realistic Goals

Consider if the frustrations you are experiencing in life might be the result of unrealistic goals. Examine your strengths and weaknesses, then create a manageable plan for achieving your dreams and aspirations. As you do this, work with short-term achievable goals and then progress to more complex actions. The short-term goals will help you stay on track and keep you motivated. Don't forget to take the time to enjoy your success milestones with small rewards.  

Ask for Help

Sometimes it is difficult to juggle career, family, and personal life in our modern, busy lives. This is why it's important to ask for help. When we are overloaded with responsibilities, it is difficult for us to manage our projects and goals with efficiency and grace. Consider hiring an assistant to help with scheduling, email, and other work-related responsibilities. A personal assistant can also ease the stress of house management. If hiring someone is beyond your budget, connect with friends and other mothers in your community to share childcare, meal prep, and shopping. It will help everyone to reduce their household workload and overall stress. 

Take Time for Yourself

A little pampering and self-care can go a long way in helping you to feel a renewed sense of enthusiasm. When you wear your favorite dress, easily style a French bob, and carefully apply your make up, you are able to be in touch with your femininity and soften your outlook. This is one method of self-care.

Alternately, we can simply take time for ourselves, curl up with a good book or meet a dear friend for coffee. Spending time in nature is another way we can care for ourselves. These small investments in your well-being can be life-changing, helping you to have a bright and positive outlook. 

Gratitude

It is well-known that comparison is the destroyer of happiness. Instead of envying the seemingly charmed life of a close friend or colleague, recognize your own value and all the blessings in your life. A gratitude journal is a terrific place to start. Take time each day to acknowledge the good in your life, whether it's a bright, sunny morning or that your husband brought you a steaming cup of coffee. Notice the little things and, before long, you will have transformed your outlook. The more gratitude you have and express, the more happiness you will experience. Don't wait to begin this simple practice! 

Challenge Yourself

Today’s world is competitive and offers a wealth of opportunities for those willing to take the initiative. Side hustles are generating six-figure incomes. Home businesses are exploding. And successful start-ups are now a common reality for many. 

With the Internet it is easier now more than ever to start a new business, learn a new trade, or increase knowledge in your area of expertise. Online courses are widely available from a range of universities and institutions, and many times are offered free or for a very low cost. Have a look at Coursera or EdX for courses from highly-regarded institutions like Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. 

Learn to Love Exercise 

If you are ready to feel beautiful, strong, and energetic, exercise is crucial. Being active will not only help you stay fit and alert, but it will also keep stress at bay and help you to live longer. It also can help you to develop social networks at the gym, while hiking, or when you're out and about on a walk. Exercise also keeps your weight within a healthy range and reduces your risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and more.

In closing, it's important to recognize that everyone deserves to live a happy and fulfilled life. By taking action with these suggestions, you can lower stress while increasing joy, happiness, and health. 

Do you have ideas for how to lead a joyful life? Share your thoughts under the Words to Live By tab.

Here's How to Boost Your Confidence with a Happy and Healthy Smile

 

In today’s world where perfection is the ideal, you can experience self-consciousness when you believe your appearance falls short of the latest beauty trends. While we should never alter our appearance simply to conform to societal expectations, we should strive to improve our well-being. And the condition of our smile can be a reflection of our overall physical and mental health. 

If your teeth are misaligned, discolored or have cavities, you may feel self-conscious and unsure. It can lead to low self-confidence and more. Often, we don’t realize we are suffering from low self-esteem caused by the health of our teeth—but it's a reality for many. It may be time to consider your dental health. If you have missing teeth, you can fix your tooth gap with a replacement tooth or use aligners to straighten crooked teeth.  

Is Your Smile Causing Low Self-Esteem?

Subtle behaviors and habits may indicate that poor dental health is triggering low self-esteem. Do you find yourself avoiding mirrors or reflections? Would you rather not speak during meetings? When in public, do you cover your mouth while speaking or feel uncomfortable expressing yourself?

These are a few indicators of low self-esteem. Happily, this doesn't have to be a life-long condition. It's easy to improve your dental health and, in turn, improve your confidence. You will be able to laugh and smile more freely, which helps to boost your health and outlook.

How to Improve Your Smile

Once you realize your smile is causing low self-esteem, you can take action to correct the issue. It's important to seek medical intervention. Locate an experienced dentist who will examine the condition of your teeth and craft a treatment plan. It might take time to see results, but the effort will be worth it in the long run with a beautiful smile and improved confidence.

Make Dental Care a Priority

Most people don’t consider dental care a priority, which can cause significant issues over time. If you have restored a healthy smile, it's important to maintain it. Make sure to have regular dental appointments to keep your teeth healthy, strong, and disease-free. We need consistent professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar and to keep bacterial growth under control. 

Also, learn how to keep your teeth healthy by brushing and flossing twice each day. Avoid sugary foods and minimize starchy foods. Sugar encourages the growth of bacteria in your mouth, leading to tooth decay and gum disease. Lastly, drink plenty of water and brush your teeth before heading off to bed as most bacterial growth happens while sleeping.

8 Tools to Open Your Heart and Encourage a More Joyful life

Isn’t it wonderful when the heart is in balance, where feelings of love and appreciation, connectedness and compassion take center stage? But when this energetic center is off-kilter, a darker side emerges and we experience periods of depression, anger, jealousy, resentment or bitterness.

Mainly, we just feel ornery towards ourselves and those around us. If you would like to break this pattern of unpleasantness — or simply give your heart chakra a well-deserved tuneup — the following eight practices can help.

25 Habits Of People Who Are Happy, Healthy & Successful

(MindBodyGreen) Who among us doesn't want to be a happy, healthy and successful human being? Still, it can be easy to lose your way, which is why I've compiled a list of habits you can use to help reach your goals.

So what is it about happy people that makes them the way they are? Below are just some of the ways they separate themselves from the rest of the crowd.

Banish Depression With the Tree of Happiness

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), an estimated 44.3 million Americans, ages 18 and older, suffer from a mental disorder. Depression, included in this number, is reaching epidemic proportions. While the media continues to report on the potentially life-threatening side effects of pharmaceutical antidepressants, more and more individuals are turning to herbal solutions. A little known tree in the West, Albizia julibrissin, is beginning to share the spotlight with other herbal antidepressants as an effective remedy.

Create Health, Wealth And Happiness In Just A Few Minutes Per Day With Ancient Hawaiian Healing Technique

Could four simple phrases really be the key to health, happiness, peace and prosperity? Proponents of Ho'oponopono believe so. Developed by the shamans of Hawaii, this little known system creates effortless flow in life, allowing relationships to be healed along with blocks to health and money. Ho'oponopono is a practice of forgiveness while accepting full responsibility for negative situations that arise in your life. Once the philosophy ofHo'oponopono is truly understood, health, finances and overall well-being improve.

A City Where Everyone Works, There Is No Police, And The Salary Is 1200 Euros

(Peaceful Warrior) With virtually no police, crime or unemployment, meet the Spanish town described as a democratic, socialist utopia. Unemployment is non-existent in Marinaleda, an Andalusian village in southern Spain that is prosperous thanks to its farming cooperative.

The Slow Tech Movement

By Janell Burley Hofmann

(The Huffington Post) The hustle of family life -- work, school, appointments, practice, homework, dinner, bed -- is constant. We move in and out of activities and commitments with ferocity. Some days, I'm certain all I really say to my children, in one way or another, is "move." As in, let's go -- now! And I know that we move with purpose, balancing meaningful work with practical considerations, valuing studies, deliberately selecting activities that matter. In our world, food, family even and free play have a firm place, often touted as sacred and protected ground. And since our life is designed to fully embrace living it, we have to be mindful of all the pieces that might creep in and occupy more than their fair share. Technology is one of those pieces.

14 Surprising Ways To Boost Creativity

(Daily Good)

By Ed Decker

Creativity is one of the most mysterious human qualities. Seemingly effortless for a rare few, it can be elusive for the majority. While the most extensive training in the world can’t turn an average Joe into Paul McCartney, these simple techniques can help edge the creative muse closer.

5 Ways Science Says Kindness Will Change Your Life

(Daily Good) Is kindness just an old-fashioned value celebrated in kindergarten and then soon forgotten as one grows older and more ambitious --- or is there more to it? As increasing numbers of people look to live a purpose-driven life, research is beginning to reveal the tremendous rewards that come with living kindly. What follows are some of the most compelling recent studies on the topic of kindness, and the ramifications they hold for ourselves and our world.

6 Ways to Cultivate Gratitude Through Your Practice

(GaimTV) Gratitude. It’s such an overheard and overused word, and yet, how many of us really feel it enough? What is gratitude, really? What does it really mean to be grateful for something? If we are to be grateful, we must first be present. Gratitude requires that we be present, and that we give our full attention to the moment. It requires us to shift our attention out of our head and into our heart. And then even lower: into our core.

10 Questions To Ask Yourself When You Feel Like Crap

(MindBodyGreen) When life feels overwhelming, it can be easy to fall into a rut. The next time you feel low, here are 10 questions you can ask to gain a fresh perspective and get moving in a more positive direction. They can be applied to any area of your life when you feel down, angry, fearful, sad, or confused.

Top Five Regrets of the Dying

By Bronnie Ware

For many years I worked in palliative care. My patients were those who had gone home to die. Some incredibly special times were shared. I was with them for the last three to twelve weeks of their lives.

People grow a lot when they are faced with their own mortality. I learnt never to underestimate someone's capacity for growth. Some changes were phenomenal. Each experienced a variety of emotions, as expected, denial, fear, anger, remorse, more denial and eventually acceptance. Every single patient found their peace before they departed though, every one of them.

When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Here are the most common five:

A grateful heart

"The miracle of gratitude is that it shifts your perception to such an extent that it changes the world you see." —Robert Holden

(As seen in Parade - January 1, 2012) By John Kralik

I’ve received quite a few nice notes and letters from people who saw my piece in Parade. That piece was necessarily much shortened, because of space limitations, so I thought I’d share an earlier draft with those who have taken the time to come to this page. Here goes.

“Knowing that you had to work on Thanksgiving, of all days, I thought I’d express my gratitude that you have taken the time and made the effort to learn my name and greet me each day in a way that makes me feel like a person instead of a number.  It’s a small thing, but on any given day, it can make all the difference.  Thank you!”

I sent this thank-you note to a barista at Starbucks who had brightened my day, and many other days before and after, by remembering my name with a smile every morning.  It was one of the special things for which I was grateful at Thanksgiving of 2008, the year in which I had vowed to write a thank you note every day of the year. It nearly brought her to tears.

6 habits of highly grateful people

By Jeremy Adam Smith

(Greater Good) I’m terrible at gratitude.

How bad am I? I’m so bad at gratitude that most days, I don’t notice the sunlight on the leaves of the Berkeley oaks as I ride my bike down the street. I forget to be thankful for the guy who hand-brews that delicious cup of coffee I drink mid-way through every weekday morning. I don’t even know the dude’s name!

I usually take for granted that I have legs to walk on, eyes to see with, arms I can use to hug my son. I forget my son! Well, I don’t actually forget about him, at least as a physical presence; I generally remember to pick him up from school and feed him dinner. But as I face the quotidian slings and arrows of parenthood, I forget all the time how much he’s changed my life for the better.

Could a hug a day keep infection away?

By Dr. Mercola

Infants deprived of touch typically experience developmental delays. Their growth is often impaired, as is their cognitive development. Rates of serious infections and attachment disorders also increase in children who have been deprived of this apparently innate need.

Join us for Random Acts of Kindness Week February 9-15 2015

Did you know that February 9-15th is Random Acts of Kindness week? Imagine if for one week, all of your social media feeds were flooded with kindness. Uplifting news stories, inspiring quotes, kind comments…for one week everyone united to focus on the positive. That’s the goal of ‪#‎RAKWeek‬

Whenever you post anything inspiring, make sure to tag it with #RAKWeek so we all can keep count.

http://youtu.be/8mcIwwr8Dik

A daily dose of gratitude encourages health, happiness and vibrancy - researchers assert

With all the insanity in the world, it is easy to become bogged down with negativity. Destructive weather, economic meltdowns, a toxic environment, GMOs. The list could go on forever. It is natural to become disillusioned, depressed and hostile in light of such bad news. But researchers have discovered that even when the environment around us is cloaked in apparent darkness, we can still be happy, healthy, alert -- and make a positive impact. As we become more appreciative, vibrancy and energy returns, stress is reduced and we are able to connect with others in a beneficial way.

When YOU disappear your masterpiece appears

(Tiny Buddha) During my years in university, there was a cook that I remember to this day. He worked in the university grill. He was well known amongst the students and staff. For his happiness.