Top 3 x Ways to Boost Your Happy

by | Mar 2, 2022 | Health & Wellness, Life

What makes YOU Happy?

Perhaps it is the purchase of the shiny new car or the dream house upgrade?
Or maybe it is dropping a dress size or getting a promotion at work?
Sure, all of these things “could” make us feel  happier, but you might be surprised to know that they are not the main instigators of a good mood.

What is it that makes people REALLY happy?

A little while ago I asked a lovely group of people about lifting their mood, specifically the things that always made them feel in a happy place. People of all ages from all over the world jumped in with their go to favourite suggestions.
The response was amazing, and from the 200 or so replies some common themes began to emerge.
There were clearly 3 top answers that kept showing up again and again, there were:

1) Friends and Family
Spending time with friends and family, in particular the laughter and hugs.
Connection seemed to be really important on a lot of levels to us all.
Being able to be ourselves with people that we know and trust, feeling accepted and a part of something was really important for happiness. We have learned this more than ever after having to endure lockdowns and see people we love far less or through a screen.

2) Animals
From cat cuddles to horse rides animals were ranked highly.
Perhaps it is no surprise then that according to the Mental Health Foundation the benefits of having pets are vast, including helping with depression, loneliness and general wellbeing.
Their website talks about a study that surveyed cat owners, a whopping 87% felt that owning a cat had a positive effect on their wellbeing.

If you don’t have a feline friend at hand, did you know that you can now visit a cat cafe?
Certainly in the UK at the moment, these cat cafes are springing up all over the place.
I have been and loved it! Get your cat cuddles and “cat-paw chino” coffee fix at the same time, winner!
I also visited a cat shelter last summer and became a volunteer cat cuddler for the afternoon, this too was amazing. Purrfect in fact (you can tell I am a cat person right?)

But seriously, if you want to connect more with animals it really is worth doing a Google search for opportunities in your local area, you can also borrow a dog to take for a walk in some areas.


3) The Great Outdoors
People said that being out doors had a massive effect on their mood, especially being out in the sunshine or beside the ocean. I must admit, some of my happiest times have been when I have been outdoors (maybe more to do with the ice cream on a sunny day!). It is perhaps not so surprising that a 2016 report suggested that nature-based activities can help people to feel a reduction in anxiety levels, depression and stress.

Last year I joined in with a local group on a weekly walk, I met some wonderful new people, discovered an area I did not know and had a lovely natter in the sunshine.
Keeping an eye out for local initiatives is an excellent way of joining in and meeting new people, often these are listed in community facebook groups or if there isn’t one local to you perhaps you could start one.
So that’s the top 3 that people suggested, but other suggestions that were also popular included:

Listening to music– people often had one uplifting “ power song” that instantly seemed to shift their mood.

Self-care– bubble baths, massages and relaxation

Dancing– literally shanking things up and getting active

Learning a new skill– the sense of achievement and self confidence boost that goes with expanding your mind and skills

Making someone else happy– doing something kind and seeing the smile on someone else’s face also made people feel in a better mood.

Hobbies– engaging in a hobby, mainly crafting also seemed to make people fell happier and more uplifted.

From cat cuddles to gardening and the great out doors, a list of super awesome ways to life your mood and bring in more happy. My own personal addition to the list would be the art of breathing and letting go, learning simple techniques that can quickly bring calm and peace into your body and mind.

Why not choose something from this list of suggestions and bring it into your life this week to see if it helps your Happy?

If you have anything to add I would love to hear from you in the comments.

Love Emma x

Guest Blog by Emma Eilbeck my lovely sister, experienced counsellor and co-creator of
The Happiness Map, Month of Magic and The Twelve Lessons Program.
Emma is also the co-host of Kate Spencer’s Life With Soul Podcast.

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