self improvement

Top 14 Physical and Psychological Benefits of Meditation

March 30, 2014March 30, 2014by happsters22 Comments

Hi Happsters!

Sorry I’ve been MIA lately! I hope you’ve been as happy as ever!

Today I wanted to share some fascinating meditation facts with you. If you’ve never tried before, I highly suggest giving it a shot. I used the free app “Headspace“, which was created for beginners, and I can’t say enough good things about it. I love it because it starts you out with meditating 10 minutes a day for 10 days. They talk you through the whole thing and make it very easy to get started.

I’ve found that meditation helped me significantly reduce my stress levels. Meditation actually “activates the ‘rest and digest’ part of our nervous system, helping with stress management. Our heart rate slows, our respiration slows and our blood pressure drops. This is often called the ‘relaxation response.'” (Source)

I’ve compiled some of the physical benefits, as well as the psychological benefits of meditation below:

(Source) Photo by Jack Bates Photography

(Source) Photo by Jack Bates Photography

Do you meditate? If not, are you up for giving it a go?

P.S. Get daily inspiration at http://www.instagram.com/happsters.

Happiness, Happiness Tips

Let’s Not Try to Figure Out Everything at Once

October 26, 2013October 28, 2015by happsters18 Comments

Lately I feel like I’ve been rushing from one thing to the next. I have a tendency to try to multi-task and get everything done as fast as I can. That’s why I love the quote:

“Let’s not try to figure out everything at once.”

Here’s my mantra for today. Hopefully it will remind you to be more present as well.

Today I will:

Go with the flow
Breathe deeply
Live in the moment
Focus on the task at hand
Take my time
Notice the little things
Accept what is
Relax♥

Do you multi-task a lot or are you good at focusing on one thing at a time? Let me know in the comments!

Appreciation, Happiness, Happiness Tips

5 Ways to Give Off Positive Energy

October 24, 2013October 24, 2013by happsters20 Comments

Have you ever walked into a room and felt negativity in the air? Feeling another person’s energy is actually very common. If you give off positive energy, other people will feel better around you. In contrast, if you give off negative energy others are likely to feel tense and likely want to leave. Positive beliefs, thoughts and feelings turn into positive energy that you put into the universe. YOU control your energy. Whether it be positive or negative, your energy affects everyone you come in contact with. Continue reading “5 Ways to Give Off Positive Energy” →

Happiness

Why a Road Trip Might be Exactly What You Need

October 20, 2013October 20, 2013by happsters14 Comments

When I first started dating my boyfriend, he insisted upon going on a road trip together. But road trips didn’t make much sense to me; “What’s the point of a road trip when you can get there faster on a plane?”, I asked. Finally, he convinced me to take a road trip with him to Big Sur, California. I didn’t see it then, but the road trip was exactly what I needed. Now I understand the power of road trips and their ability to boost happiness and strengthen relationships. Continue reading “Why a Road Trip Might be Exactly What You Need” →

Gratitude Sunday

September 22, 2013September 23, 2013by happsters18 Comments

Happy Gratitude Sunday, everyone! I hope you’ve all had a happy week. I saw this quote the other day and think it encompasses the reason that Gratitude is so important.

“Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy — because we will always want to have something else or something more.” — Brother David Steindl-Rast

Here are 3 things I’m grateful for today: Continue reading “Gratitude Sunday” →

Gratitude Sunday

September 1, 2013September 23, 2013by happsters11 Comments

It’s time again for Gratitude Sunday! A few weeks ago I introduced this tradition because I think gratitude is so important to our happiness.

There are so many benefits of practicing gratitude, but I wanted to specifically share this one with you today: In a series of experiments in the the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, listing off all the things you are thankful for were linked with a brighter outlook on life and a greater sense of positivity.

Here are 3 things I’m grateful for today:
Continue reading “Gratitude Sunday” →

Happiness Tips

Life is too short to…

July 29, 2013October 28, 2015by happsters20 Comments

1. Life is too short to…be afraid to fall in love.

2. Life is too short to…spend time worrying about what others think.

3. Life is too short to…not tell those close to you how much you appreciate them.

4. Life is too short to…not reach for your dreams.

5. Life is too short to…be stressed.

6. Life is to short to…take yourself seriously all the time.

SO…

7. Have a blast

8. Dance in the rain

9. Make time for your friends

10. Learn from your mistakes

11. Laugh at yourself

12. And believe that everything happens for a reason

Do you feel like you need to remind yourself of some of the items on this list often? Which ones? Let me know in the comments!

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Become an official Happster & get free happy notes here: http://tinyurl.com/imahappster

Happiness Tips

The Formula for Happiness & Success

July 23, 2013September 16, 2013by happsters20 Comments

The other day, Happster Danette introduced me to a TED Talk by Shawn Achor called “The Happy Secret to Better Work“. It is the best TED talk I’ve heard about happiness and I’m so excited to share it with you. I’ve included the video below and a recap below. Enjoy!
Continue reading “The Formula for Happiness & Success” →

Happiness, Happiness Tips

Happiness Tip: Stop Worrying about What Other People Think of You

July 6, 2013by happsters21 Comments

Do you sometimes feel like you’re still in high school worrying about what others may think of you? One of the first steps in freeing yourself from this trap is to learn to let go of the fear of judgment and know that you’ll only be happy if you live your life the way YOU want to live it. Choose your own goals, activities and actions and don’t get caught up in taking on other peoples’ likes and dislikes. Be comfortable with who you are and know that you are making the right decisions, regardless of what other people may believe.

While it’s important to be open to advice and the constructive opinions of your close family and friends, trying to please everyone will only burden you and ultimately not lead to anyone’s happiness.

Remember: What makes you unique is what makes you beautiful. Stay in the present, live your life without regrets, and do what makes you happy.

Have you ever gotten caught in the trap of worrying what other people think about you? How have you freed yourself from it? Let me know in the comments!

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Become an official Happster & get free happy notes here: http://tinyurl.com/imahappster

Happiness, Happiness Tips

Happiness Tip: Find Your Passion

June 9, 2013January 1, 2014by happsters19 Comments

I know, I know…Finding your passion is easier said than done. Some lucky people know what their passion is from an early age, but most have to work to figure it out. When you find your passion, you are not just happier yourself, but your passion becomes contagious and inspires others to find their own passion. One of my favorite quotes about passion is “When we focus on leading a passionate, meaningful life, we are also inadvertently creating a spectacular ripple effect of inspiration in the lives around us. When one person follows a dream, tries something new, or takes a daring leap, everyone nearby feels their passionate energy; and before too long, they are making their own daring leaps while simultaneously inspiring others.”

Not sure yet what your passion is? Here are some questions to ask yourself:

1. Are there certain activities that come easy to me?

2. Are there certain subjects that I gravitate towards when reading books, watching movies, etc.?

3. Do I enjoy certain activities enough to do them for extended periods of time?

4. What topics do I love to talk about and learn about?

5. What are my strengths?

Hopefully some of these questions will help guide you in finding your passion. Have you found something you’re passionate about or are you still looking? Let me know in the comments!

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