How to Boost Happiness - Even in a Pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has altered our lives in a way we never could have imagined. It’s easy to get caught up in the gloom and doom — but that’s not healthy for any of us.
Stop. Breathe. Meditate. Take a walk.
Often, staying happy during tough times is easier said than done. And no one is expecting you to be happy every day. But the good news is that there are some concrete ways to boost positivity into your day - and to turn the funk around when it creeps in.
Many of you know me as a PR guru and branding expert, but I’m also a certified yoga teacher and a huge wellness advocate. My journey is a result of reaching extreme burnout as an entrepreneur, so I’m passionate about reminding you to focus on holistic, mind-body ways to manage your stress.
Here are 7 surefire ways to boost your happiness!
1. Set aside time to move
Gyms may be closed and we may be at home, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get some movement in! Dancing to a playlist, practicing yoga online or even walking around the neighborhood gets your blood flowing. Take whatever time you have and allow yourself to unwind and take a break from the things you have been working on. Countless leaders in the world have shared how they set aside one hour a day for movement. The positive effects are undisputed: clarity, health, and happiness. Going outdoors gives you the added bonus of getting some sun, so grab your pup (if you’ve got one) and take a lap around the block. You’ll return feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
2. Practice gratitude
Another way to boost your happiness is to actively practice gratitude. What does that mean? During a pandemic, it’s hard to see the bright side of things, but that’s why it’s most important to focus on gratitude right now. Start by saying out loud or writing down the things you are grateful for each morning. These could be the little things or the big things — it all counts!
Challenge: share what you are grateful for on social media and get friends and family involved. Taking the time to recognize what we are grateful for makes you feel so much lighter and puts you in a better mindset.
3. Pick up a new hobby — or an old one
Remember that old hobby you stopped having time for? Or that hobby you’ve always wanted to pick up? Learning or returning to a hobby is a great way to add some excitement to your day in a no-pressure kind of way. Revisiting old hobbies brings back great memories — especially when it’s something you loved to do.
Now is a great time to explore new things without feeling like you have to be great at it. It also helps you fill your time while you’re stuck at home and isolated. Knit a sweater to send a friend. Cross Stitch a pillow of your mantra. Take a stab at watercolor like I did! Whatever it is that fills you up, invest your energy in it. Plus, introducing a bit of fun in your life will bring a smile to your face!
4. Take a vacation (in your mind)
When you’re on vacation, do you notice that you are kinder to yourself? Let's cultivate that mindset year-round. Go for an impromptu bike ride. Seek adventure in your daily life. You may not be able to head to the beach or a new coffee shop right now, but you can channel the vacation mindset.
Drink that margarita, mama! Put a towel in your backyard and lay in the sun for 20 minutes. Pretend like you’re on a retreat and do a yoga class every day for a week. Then see how your mindset has changed!
5. Connect with loved ones
I miss people, don’t you? Connecting with loved ones instantly boosts your mood and gets you ready to conquer the day. There’s nothing better than chatting with an old friend or getting words of encouragement from a family member. With the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve gotten creative with maintaining relationships.
Connect with people during this time through FaceTime or social media, write letters to each other or hold virtual Zoom meetings to recognize the activities you used to do together or establish new ones. I know a group of friends who are taking turns sharing their expertise. One night was a whiskey tasting, another night was helping each other make new outfits out of old clothes. We don’t see these people on a regular basis anymore but don’t forget to reach out. You can also connect with me on Instagram during this time! I want to connect with you — we can get through this together. (P.S. I’m hosting a virtual matcha workshop if you wanna join me on May 2!)
6. Bake
Being safe at home gives us that little bit of extra time to cook and bake at home. Try out some new recipes like my healthy collagen cookie dough bites or make some of my favorite matcha lattes. Not all of us are chefs in the kitchen, but you don’t have to be! Make it fun.
Trying a new recipe is a great way to relieve some stress and come out with a yummy reward in the end. I have so many more fun and delicious recipes on my blog that you can’t go wrong with! Tag me on Instagram if you try any out. I can’t wait to see what you make!
7. Unplug and unwind
Let’s face it, this pandemic has put a lot of our lives online. Whether you are teleworking, taking online classes, or scrolling through Twitter, most of our connection to the outside world is online. With so much information coming at us every day, we all need a day off. Plus, it’s good for your little eyeballs to take screen breaks.
Being online all day is exhausting (“Zoom exhaustion” is a thing, Google it!), so unplug whenever you can, take mini screen breaks, and put your phone to bed at night. I love using the scheduling settings on my iPhone that allow me to put my phone in the “Do Not Disturb” mode automatically between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Here’s a challenge for you! Go through a full Saturday without any electronics. We can’t let our lives be completely online. So, take a day and shut off your phone and laptop and spend it doing something else you love. Spend the day doing these other tips I mentioned above — baking, exercising, or starting a new hobby.
Remember — we are in this together. We can’t be hard on ourselves right now. We all have our off days. One thing I’ve learned is that all we can do is take it one day at a time. I hope these tips allow you to take a break from the stresses of your day and bring some jolts of happiness back into your daily life. You’ve got this! 💕
Go ahead, pin these words of wisdom to keep the good vibes going!
Do you want more positive encouragement? Check out these 11 Morning Mantras to start your day off on the right foot.