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Watching the sun rise is actually an ancient method of healing.


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And there are numerous other benefits, like enjoying a beautiful show of color and light, and having quiet moments of stillness and reflection. Behind sex and exercise , people are happiest at the theater. That's the takeaway of a British study on activities that bring people the most glee. Time to scout out tickets for Shakespeare in the park or your favorite Broadway musical. In helping others, you also help yourself. That's because altruism is proven to boost happiness. So spend some time volunteering for a community, charity, or religious organization.

The more often you give back, the more self-satisfaction you'll receive. Volunteering will also help you live longer, according to some studies. A shot of endorphins to the brain will make you feel oh-so-good. And one of the best ways of getting this boost is with exercise. So pick your poison — running, soccer, ice skating, a long walk in the woods.

Get moving and get instant satisfaction. Sure, technology has its benefits, but it's also making us sick. Stress, depression, and vision impairment are just a few of the negative consequences of spending too much time on our phones, tablets, and computers. Luckily, there's a simple fix: After work, on weekends — whenever you can. By disconnecting from email, text messaging, and social media, you can actually increase your connectivity to the people around you.

And you'll feel a heck of a lot better while you're at it. Retail therapy isn't just a buzz phrase invented to help women feel better about over-spending on shoes. There's real science behind it.

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A study published in found that treating yourself to a shopping trip is an effective way to elevate your mood. It doesn't have to be a big-time shopping spree, either. Allowing yourself to indulge in even the smallest of purchases can have just as strong of a mood enhancing effect. People who participate in bold, new activities and collect unique experiences are more likely to retain more positive memories than negative ones. The more positive memories we keep, the lighter we become. So go ahead and sign up for those guitar lessons.

Book that trip to Antigua. Do it in the name of happiness. Sex makes us happy. And studies show that having more sex than our friends makes us even happier. So cue up the Marvin Gaye, and don't be bashful about letting your pals know just how often you're getting it. Spending time with man's best friend is a fool-proof happiness booster. Not only do dogs improve our happiness, they have also been found to alleviate loneliness and improve our overall health.

Dog owners have been known to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, too. By offering someone our forgiveness — no matter how grave the offense — we let go of the hurt and anger that person stirred in us, thereby creating more space for happier emotions. On our journey to collect joy from our everyday surroundings, we must also dispose of any residual negativity. Saying, "I forgive you," is a great start. Painting, sculpting, jewelry making, and music writing are all examples of activities we can engage in to work our creative muscle, thereby inviting into our lives more happiness.

Believe it or not, you can write your way to happiness. Penning your feelings helps your brain process and expunge the negatives ones, leaving you more joyful. You can elevate your mood simply by surrounding yourself with nature — even the potted kind. Plants will also improve indoor air quality. The more time you spend around leafy, green things, the better you're apt to feel.

Grateful people are more likely to be happy and optimistic. So don't save it all for Thanksgiving. Make a habit of showing gratitude for the circumstances and people around you. Taking deep, slow breaths on a regular basis can help you relax. Breathing deeply also prevents disease, slows the aging process, and increases happiness. The ancient practice of meditation is proven to make you happier, more focused, and more even-keeled.

Researchers say it can even make you nicer. Dancing on a regular basis can improve your mood and boost your overall mental health and well-being. It can also relieve back and neck pain, stress, and anxiety. So go on — shake your groove thing! Ornamenting our homes with art we love and objects of meaning can create a happiness-inducing space. But the extra clutter we accumulate over the years can be counterproductive, leaving us feeling disorganized and claustrophobic. It'll serve you well to clear out those unwanted belongings as they accumulate. A brisk walk is one of the best exercises for you.

And it only takes 20 minutes for your brain to start releasing endorphins and dopamine — those feel-good hormones that make you happy. People are happiest in nature. No shopping mall, amusement park, or museum can compete with the positive effect the rugged wilderness has on our mood.

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It doesn't need to be a world-class beach or awe-inspiring canyon, either. The neighborhood park is natural enough to do the trick. Participating in a team sport or activity , or even a group project at work, gives us a deepened sense of self-worth, purpose, and meaning. The reward is two-fold: Random acts of kindness make us feel good as well as the recipients of our good deed. Pay for the next order before you drive away from the Dunkin' Donuts drive-thru. Tape a scratch-off lottery ticket to the gas pump. Get creative and reap the rewards.

Getting 8 hours of quality shut-eye is linked to increased happiness. A good night's slumber also sharpens our focus during the day. If you want to boost your productivity, don't skimp on your sleep.

100 Small Things That Can Bring You Joy

Making a big, long to-do list might seem daunting. All those unfinished tasks staring you in the face. But research has found that we get a buzz of accomplishment and satisfaction each time we cross an item off the list — no matter how big or small the task. Good smells such as floral scents can actually make you happier.

So poke your nose down and smell the tulips blooming. Or, if it's the dead of winter, spend some time around a floral scented candle. Letting your mind escape into a fantasy realm for awhile can actually boost your happiness. So open up a good book and don't be afraid to let your imagination run away with it. Candlelight can have a calming effect and help reduce stress. It can also increase self-awareness.


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  4. Spending a few minutes in solitude with even a single flickering flame can be a soothing experience. Candles scented in lavender or ylang-ylang further enhance the stress-reducing effects of quiet time spent in candlelight. Museums are places where stories are told, traditions are challenged, minds expand, and beauty is everywhere to behold. And, according to many schools of thought, all those things are good for our well-being.

    RMG - Strenna "'So that my joy may be in you' (Jn ). Holiness for you, too!"

    They say laughter is the best medicine, and in many ways it's true. Studies show that a dose of hearty laughter can boost your immune system as well as your heart rate, giving you a natural high similar to the one you feel after a great workout. Singing, particularly in a choir, gives the body a shot of endorphins and dopamine — the same hormones that produce the "runner's high" people feel after pounding out a few miles on the pavement.

    But a singer's high comes with all sorts of added benefits — stress reduction, pain alleviation, and an overall feeling of contentment. Rid your world of clutter and breathe a sigh of relief. A tidy living space boosts happiness, promotes productivity, and enhances peace of mind. Focusing on specific actions or events can be even more powerful. You do, I do, we all do. Heck, every time I write a column here— and this is number , by the way —I wonder how people will react.

    When others simply say they believe in you, however, it becomes easier to believe in yourself. Have you ever gotten into lifting weights, or simply watched people do it? It is so important to celebrate achievements. Of course, heck, if you want to take things to the extreme, throw a party.

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    Everyone needs to be pushed at times, especially when we fall short. Even the most steadfast and confident among us sometimes need a friend to guide them to a better way of acting. Everyone likes to think that his or her opinions matter, and of course they do—sometimes.

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