Health and Happiness
What if I told you that you definitely can increase your health and happiness? Would you do it? Especially if it was simple to do, had no negative side effects and didn’t cost you anything? Yes! There are simple things we can do to increase our happiness which, consequently, will have a positive impact on our health and wellness!
So, what can you do to increase your happiness?
1. Connect with Friends
Sure, you can text your friends and share with them on social media. However, did you know that actually meeting up with your friends (live and in person!) creates a powerful sense of belonging that can contribute to your joy and overall well-being? Humans are social animals, which means that the more time you spend with friends, the happier you’re going to be.
2. Meet New People
Connecting with friends and meeting new people (live and in person!) also has a huge impact on your well-being.
Studies have shown that when we are constantly meeting and interacting with new people, our beings are filled with hope, optimism, and a sense that the future is bright. If you find that you aren’t meeting new people on a regular basis, be sure to get yourself out there and try. For example, join up with a local club that engages in your favorite hobby, or volunteer to work with a charity. The sky’s the limit!
3. Get Physical
As we all know, participating in physical activity can release feel-good endorphins while also increasing blood flow. If you’re doing something physical each day, you’re giving yourself a fighting chance at achieving health, well-being, and balance. You can reap benefits from merely taking a leisurely walk each day.
4. Participate in Activities You Love
Have a favorite hobby? Do you like to read? How about a sport you love to play? Participating in activities we love will bring us a lot of happiness. Participating in activities we love helps to reboot the mind and body.
If you feel like you’re just struggling through the day, wouldn’t it be great to have something to look forward to?
5. Take a Break
In our modern world, we often feel as if we need to be pushing all the time. That simply isn’t the case. Take a break to re-energize your mind and body. Whether it’s through meditation, yoga, walking in nature, or taking a power nap, when you take the time to slow down, you will actually accumulate MORE energy.
6. Eat Well
It goes without saying that the fuel that you put in your body will have a huge impact on your mood and well-being. Taking time to eat nutritious meals and snacks gives your body exactly what it needs to thrive. Always pay attention to your blood sugar and focus on whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and quality protein.
7. Smile More
It seems silly but smiling actually contributes to the amount of joy that you feel each day. When you smile, you’re programming your brain to think positively, and this will attract more positive things into your life! Smile at a stranger, smile at your dog, smile at yourself in the mirror. It makes a huge difference in your world.
8. Limit Screen Time
Limiting screen time has a huge impact on your well-being. Does it feel like you’re always staring at a screen? The answer is probably yes because everyone is in the same boat.
The average person spends over two hours a day on social media, and that doesn’t even include the screen time at work! Not only is this bad for your eyes, but always being on a device is also bad for your heart and soul!
Do you remember the last time you went on vacation and had very little screen time? How did you feel? You most likely felt refreshed, energized, peaceful, and blissful.
Simple but Profound Effects
These things all seem simple enough, but they actually have a profound effect on increasing health and happiness. A 2012 study (How Do Simple Positive Activities Increase Well-Being?) states, “Happiness not only feels good, it is good. Happier people have more stable marriages, stronger immune systems, higher incomes, and more creative ideas than their less happy peers.” And adds, “…much of people’s happiness is under their control.”
If you want to add more joy and a higher level of health to your life, incorporate as many of these tips as you can. Even if the only thing that you change is taking a half-hour nature walk with a friend every day. It will still transform your life and increase health and happiness!
9. Find a new way to connect and engage!
Need help meeting new people and finding activities? Or do you like organizing events with your friends?
Our last tip is about using the Plan2Play for Work mobile app which brings people together who want to do similar activities with similar schedules, in similar locations.
Pick an activity, time, and location. The app does the rest! You can invite people you know, or the app will find people for you (or a combination).
Encourage people in your workplace to connect and engage more often.
Our employee engagement solution uses our app to foster employee connections. It connects people who want to participate in indoor and outdoor activities. Leadership can create team-building exercises, volunteer activities, and company social events. Plan2Play for Work promotes connections, inclusion, a sense of belonging, engagement, health, and wellness.
With the help of our unique employee engagement program, employees and employers can cultivate a higher level of engagement in their workplace.
Real-life activities promote connections and belonging. These two elements are essential for an engaging work environment, elevating employee discretionary effort and ultimately, a healthy company culture. Discover Plan2Play for Work and learn how to create a more inclusive, engaged, healthier and happier workplace.