Get HAPPY!

In addition to what I mentioned in my last post, there are several powerful yet simple, easy, and effective things you can begin doing to reduce the stress and sorrow in your life--and help you maintain a positive outlook on life. If you’re feeling stressed by your life, depressed and discourage, and feel as if there is nothing good to focus on, then I have some tips that are clinically proven to change the way you think, feel, and perceive. Follow these tips, and I promise you will notice a drastic change in the way your productivity levels, energy levels, as well as the way you think, feel, and act! Not surprisingly, these tips which have been scientifically proven to raise happiness levels are also biblical truths that wisely advise us as to how to live our best, most fulfilling, joy-filled, and productive life! (Just as God intended it!) Next to each tip I’ve included the scriptural reference just in case you’d like to refer to it.

1. Practice gratitude.Make a gratitude list. Focusing on what you have to be grateful for drastically improves your mind frame. Write down at least 3 new things you have to be grateful for each morning, and review and meditate on it at night (See Psalm 92:2, Ephesians 5:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:18).

“Every morning tell Him, ‘Thank you for your kindness,’and every evening rejoice in all his faithfulness” (Psalm 92:2).

“Always give thanksto God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus” (Ephesians 5:20).

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

2. Pray or Meditate.Studies show prayer and meditation increase left prefrontal cortex growth and strengthening in the brain. The left prefrontal cortex just so happens to be the part of our brain most responsible for our happiness levels. Prayer and meditation also promotes a sense of peace and focus in the midst of a bustling world (See Philippians 4:6). Meditation is a powerful tool in calming the brain and promoting well-being, but even more so when the focus of the meditation is Love.

“Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything and with Thanksgiving make your requests known to God" (Philippians 4:6).

3. Do a random act of kindness. There's a part of the brain which is stimulated (it's known as the vagus nerve--often reffered to as "the nerve of compassion")  and promotes the release of endorphins when we do an act of kindness towards another individual, or even witness someone doing something kind for someone else. (The Bible is FULL of scriptures encouraging acts of kindness, generosity, love, and selflessness. It’s no wonder God instructs us to live this way: Not only does being kind and generous make us happier, but there is a law of reciprocity, or “sowing and reaping”—others may know it as “karma” –which occurs when we choose to give out of love and generosity. (Please don't be mistaken, being generous doesn't just mean giving all of your money away! You can be generous with the time that you give even if it means doing something as simple as lending someone a helping hand with loading groceries in their car or even striking up a conversation with someone at lunch who always sits alone--kindness does not have to relate to giving soley of your money--it comes in all shapes and forms). This means when you are kind to others, you are blessed for it. See Proverbs 22:9, Luke 6:38, Philippians 2:4, James 2:17, Matthew 25:35-40, 1 John 3:17, Luke 6:35)

“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor” (Proverbs 22:9).

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38).

“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great” (Luke 6:35).

4. Live in Love.Promote love and act out of love in your life, rather than hate or bitterness. Forgive. People who love and forgive have shown to be healthier, more positive, optimistic, and even have a lower blood pressure and a lower likelihood of becoming sick from a chronic illness. (Another thing God’s word is adamant about is LOVE. Love is the bottom line, the essential, and the main purpose and reason for our faith. See John 15:12, John 13:34-35, 1 John 4:8, 1 Peter 4:8, Colossians 3:14, Matthew 6:14, Ephesians 4:32).

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

‘Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8).

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of faults” (1 Peter 4:8).

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

5. Exercise. It releases endorphins and promotes a sense of productivity and healthy self-esteem. It just so happens to release a chemical in our bodies known as PEA (or Phenethylamine--the same chemical released after sex and in chocolate). Although the Bible doesn’t say that much about physical fitness, it does talk about taking care of our bodies because they are a temple (see 1 Corinthians 3:17) Now more than ever physical exercise has become necessary to staying healthy because of the fast-paced, yet sedentary lifestyle we live.

6. Journal. Journaling about 1 positive thing you've experienced in the past 24 hours allows you to relive it (This comes back to focus—see Philippians 4:8).

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Phil. 4:8).

It's All About Perspective!

Your emotions are extremely important because they let you know when your thinking is off-balance. In fact, we may think of negative emotions as a bad thing, when in reality they are actually quite useful. When you’re experiencing negative emotions it is an indicator that your thoughts are off-balance, and that it’s time to do something about it.

Think of your emotions as a “Thought Control” Meter that allows you to recognize when your thinking is off-balance.

 

Think of emotions as a thought-control meter: Every time you are feeling badly, it is simply a result of negative thoughts, every time you are feeling good, it is because you are dwelling on the things that are going well in your life. Granted, sometimes it is much easier to think and feel positively when things in our lives actually are going well, as opposed to when they are not (I’ll get to that in a moment). However, circumstances only account for a portion of our happiness. In fact, in Shawn Achor’s Best-selling book, The Happiness Advantage he reveals that research shows that only a small portion of our happiness is based on external circumstances. In fact, research continues to show that it is not so much about what happens to us, but rather our perspective of what happens to us. Achor explains, "What we are finding is that it is not necessarily the reality that shapes us, but [it is] the lens through which our brain views the world that shapes our reality [which then determines our happiness and productivity levels]... 90% of your long term happiness is predicted not by your external world, but by the way your brain processes your external world." In other words, it is your perception which determines your happiness. Jesus once said that, "Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness" (Luke 11:34). Not only was he saying that we need to guard what we allow into our minds, but he was also talking about guarding the way we percieve the world around us. What are eyes used for? For seeing! It is the way in which we see things that determines whether we are filled with "light" and positivity, or "darkness," sorrow, anger, and sadness.

There is a strong correlation between the quality of your thoughts and how you feel.

The great Greek philosopher, Epictetus confirmed this truth long ago by saying, "We are disturbed not by what happens to us, but our thoughts about what happens."

In Katie Byron’s Loving What Is, she also affirms that, “Whenever we experience a stressful feeling—anything from mild discomfort to intense sorrow, rage, or despair—we can be certain that there is a specific thought causing our reaction, whether or not we are conscious of it. The way to end our stress is to investigate the thinking that lies behind it.

It is not so much of what happens to us that determines our happiness, but our thoughts about what happens to us.

Your emotions are a result of your focus, and they are also an indicator when something in your mind (your thoughts) becomes off balance. Emotions are important because they let us know when are thoughts aren’t right. If your focus in on this world and all the tragedies and misfortunes that occur, then of course you're going to feel badly! If your focus is on all the insurmountable amount of work that you have to do and how it will take forever to get it done, then you're going to feel stressed! If your focus in on comparing yourself to others and all that you are lacking, then of course you're going to struggle with feelings of inadequacy. Are you beginning to see the correlation with the quality of your thoughts and how you feel? It all comes down to thoughts. If you guard what thoughts you allow to take root in your mind you'll be protecting your emotions which then translate into actions. As Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so he becomes.” In other words, you become what you think about! It is a simple yet profoundly important truth.

As a man thinks, so he becomes.

So once you’ve acknowledged that it is your off-balance thinking which is the root cause of your negative emotions, you can take action to start changing the way you feel by changing the focus of your thoughts. I know it can sometimes be difficult to think positively in a world where turmoil and chaos can seem most prevalent, where bills can pile high and the responsibilities everyday life can seem endless-- but the truth is it’s ALL about focus! As the old proverbs says: “We may not be able to change the winds of adversity, we can however, change the direction of our sails.”

You become what you think about!

One of my favorite quotes says, "If you look to the world you'll get depressed, if you look within you’ll get distressed, but if you look to God, you'll find rest" (Corrie Ten Boom).  When it comes to finding TRUE peace of mind and heart I've found that it is ultimately only God who can give us peace in the midst of a chaotic world or life. God’s word tells us:  “Let us run with patience the particular race (of life) that God has set before us. Keeping your eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor …” (Hebrews 12:1–2 TLB). The key is to keep our eyes on Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Focusing on His word and His promises can greatly help you get centered on what matters and achieve peace and joy in all circumstances.