Simple Happiness

The Lifestyle That Creates Happy People

Laugh OftenPeople who laugh often have lower rates of depression.

Laughing releases happy chemicals like endorphins, serotonin and dopamine.

Lightening up can help release muscle tension and tension between you and other people.

But how do we lighten up?

Funny movies, jokes, playful activities like acro, rollerblading and trampolines, fun music and fun outfits! Add some color to your life and let your inner child play!

Help OthersDarwin mentions love 95 times in The Dissent of Man and Survival of the Fittest only twice. Scientific studies have shown that giving speeds up the healing process in the body.

Helping others reduces depression. Serving others can be done in many simple ways but If we do it for a living we can Really Become Happy.

Cooking, smiling, listening, writing a note, thanking someone, motivating them, etc. are all ways we can help others.

Have Minimal ThingsSteve: I have to Get the New iPhone!

Chuck: You’re Materialistic Dude. You Should Give That Money To Poor People.

Discussion Question:

How Could Chuck have better handled This Situation So He doesn’t offend his friend? How can We live a non-material Lifestyle and Lead a good Example, Speaking up for what is Right but not Being So radical that people tune Us Out?

What Things Do you hold onto for Emotional Security? What items create Your identity but cost you a fortune? How can You simplify your life and lower your overhead?

Always Be GratefulTechnique: Think of 12 Things You’re Grateful For to Get Into A Positive Mindset

Thank people for the things they do for you

Notice how many privileges we have in our lifestyle. Food, shelter, many options for work, many options for food.

Never ever complain. Keep your mind grateful and people will be energized by you.

Never ComplainSue: God I wish it was sunny out. I’m so sick of this rain.

Mike: Yeah and Rich keeps giving me more work like I’m not already busy as it is.

Discussion Questions: How does this conversation make you feel?

How could they have flipped their perspective? What would the conversation sound like then?

Think About What Could Go RightGeorge: I’m worried I will be bad at teaching yoga. I’m so nervous to audition.

Vivian: You will do great! Just focus on why you teach yoga and not on what people are thinking about you.

Discussion Questions: How did Vivian offer a good solution to George’s anxiety? What do you think negatively about and how can you shift your perspective to think more positively?

Focus On The Good In OthersKim: Did you notice how nervous she was? She’s really not good with people?

Brooke: Yeah but she’s also a really good person. There’s probably a good reason she has anxiety. Maybe she was bullied. Have you noticed how she’s always looking out for other people and thinking about how to help out?

Discussion Questions: How Do you feel when you talk negatively about others? How do you feel when

Do Your BestHow are you going to make the world a better place today?

Think about the legacy you’re leaving? What good things are you doing with your time?

Evaluate your skills and talents? What are you good at? What do you want to do? What do you need more training or education in?

What areas in your life can you improve upon? Taking care of your car? Paying attention to family members? Being considerate of friends on their birthdays?

Be HumbleBob: Hi, I’m Bob. Nice to Meet You. What do You do?

Cher: I’m a singer. I have three albums out. I’ve performed all over the world in three Tours. I’ve won awards and Stuff.

Bob: Cool! I AM an ENtrepreneur. I run a successful Billion-dollar Company with Hundreds of Employees. I’m able to Travel the world and I have a great Lifestyle.

Discussion Questions:How could They have told each other about their lives without Bragging? Do You think they are compensating for their insecurities?

Don’t React in AngerWe all get angry but the ability to wait and calm down will keep you from saying things you will regret.

Take a deep breath and try to be more loving. Love can overcome anger if we really try to speak kindly and make things better.

Spend Time In NatureIt helps us relax and helps our mind slow down. We can forget about things for a little while and feel what’s going on in our bodies. It can help us get in tune with how we are treating ourselves and others.

Camping and hiking or visiting the beach are great simple activities for a happy lifestyle.

Eat Simple Clean FoodsProcessed foods make it hard to maintain a happy demeanor because they can make us irritable. Eating junk food also kills your energy and creates health problems.

Eating a plant based organic diet with natural spices and herbs will keep you happy and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

Try to eliminate alcohol, processed sugar, gluten and fried foods. Eat organic meat and dairy if possible and get 7-9 servings of fresh fruits and veggies daily.

Get Moving EverydayJump, dive, stretch, swim, climb, hang, lift and twist. Get your body moving whether it’s at a dance class, a yoga class, on a bike, walking or doing acrobatics.

Do something to keep those endorphins releasing and your happy chemicals flowing! Find something you love and challenge yourself!

Take Time To RelaxYour mind needs a break. Don’t always try to plan and figure stuff out. Let your brain just drift and watch a movie or listen to music. Do something unplanned or just lay down. Sit in a hammock or lay by the fire. Drink some tea and stop moving.

Don’t Spend Too Much Time On Social MediaBe present. Read a book.

Call someone. Do things with people instead of just observing and creating a persona over the internet.

Don’t compare yourself to other people or worry about how people react on social media.

Get real and don’t worry about online popularity.

Accept People Don’t Try to Change ThemWe often confuse other people’s happiness with our own. The only person we can keep happy is ourselves. If you’re too caught up with other people’s lives, you’ll always find someone in a hard time that will keep your mood down. The best thing you can do for them is just stay happy.

Don’t fixate on what other people do that you don’t like. Give them freedom to live their life and learn what they need to learn. You also do things that other people might want to change but they let you do what you want.

Surround Yourself With Positive PeopleOur environment does affect us and the people we surround ourselves should be kind and inspiring. If someone is negative, you can create a boundary. If they are verbally abusive or use you, find the strength to realize you don’t need them in your life. Hang out with people that are doing good things for others and you will create more good things.

Choose Positive Activities and HobbiesYoga, Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Healthy Restaurants, Rock Climbing

Frisbee, Volunteering

Positive Events and Classes

Meeting for Tea, Bike Rides, Deep Conversations, Documentaries, Book CLubs

Know Good Things Are ComingBe optimistic.

Think about the future.

Create exciting goals you’re passionate about.

Trust that you can follow your dreams.

Inspire other people to pursue their dreams.

“Leap and the net will appear.”

Don’t Be Concerned With LooksWe are all beautiful we just have to realize it! Don’t spend too much time thinking about what you look like or commenting on what other people look like.

Real attraction comes from a positive personality and strong self worth. The rest is all contrived by the media.

Know you’re naturally perfect the way you are and own it!

Don’t Be Hard On YourselfSpeak positively about yourself and think positively about yourself.

If you don’t accomplish what you meant to it’s ok. Just do your best.

Congratulate yourself for your accomplishments.

Know that you a good person.

When Things Don’t Go As Planned Accept ItRoll with the flow and don’t worry about it.

Stay positive and know that there will always be unexpected changes.

Don’t take things personally when people don’t meet your expectations, they have things going on in their life and emotions you aren’t feeling.

Know that no matter what happens, you still have a choice to remain positive.

You can help keep others positive in the midst of hard times too.

Take Care of Your Family and Friends

Be there for each other. Anticipate their needs.

Be willing to ask for help when you need it.

Show people you care and be considerate of their feelings when they are stressed.

Listen to Positive MusicSing, dance and listen to positive music all the time.

Don’t take yourself too seriously.

This is a simple way to keep your mood up!

Keep Life Simple. All You Need is Love.