30 Ways in 30 Days to Cultivating happiness

By Angela Martin

Why donate to Lifeline North Coast and Why follow me?

Hey there my friends, Im raising funds and awareness for Lifeline North Coast - with every dollar you donate  - goes directly to saving lives in our local Coffs Coast community.  

Since covid last year, calls to the Lifeline Crisis Phone line 13 11 14 have nearly doubled and we rely on our crisis support volunteers to answer a call every 30 seconds.  

Our service exists so no person has to face their darkest moments alone.  We are part of a National Charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. 

For 30 days - I will promote 30 ways to genuinely increase your happiness and overall satisfaction with life - no matter what life throws at you.  

Starting this Saturday November 6th - come and join me!

During this challenge I will share with you easy steps,  that will focus on positive psychology.  Any little step even if you were to just follow one consistently will increase your feeling of happiness and overall satisfaction with life. 

So join me daily on my fundraising site blog on Facebook or linkedIn profile to check out what my daily dose of happiness is!


My Updates

Day Eleven - Go on an Adventure

Friday 19th Nov
The housework isn't going anywhere so why not break your tedious routine and so something that makes you feel alive? For me it's jumping on the back of my boyfriend's bike and going somewhere new  ~ I feel alive and love sharing this with him. Or if you prefer go for a swim in the ocean straight after work or go for a walk somewhere new. 

Grab some prawns and beers with a special someone and sit on a headland and watch the sunset midweek. 

Day Ten - Invest in “Your People”

Friday 19th Nov
Think of those friends that leave you feeling happy, relaxed, loved and cared for - start planning more time with them. 

And those friends that leave you drained and exhausted? Time to distance yourself - I call it the high maintenance versus the low maintenance effect! You'll notice your life and mood is balanced when choosing to only mix with good people.

Day Ten - Be Kind to a Stranger

Friday 19th Nov
It's easy to be kind to those you love but there is something quite beautiful when you offer an act of kindness to a complete stranger - you'll feel the magic in your heart when you do something with no expectation

Day Nine - laughter yoga

Friday 19th Nov

Meet the Fockers

Friday 19th Nov
One of my favourite comedies - clever, witty, naughty and it doesn't matter how many times I watch it - I still feel happy 😂

Day Eight - Watch your favourite movie

Friday 19th Nov
Instant mood booster is to put on a  favourite movie  - choose with the intention to laugh and select a film that you know is lighthearted and easy to get lost in the storyline - Ps I love you and the notebook are great films but will leave you crying exhausted and possibly sad!

Day Seven - Smile 😁

Friday 19th Nov
When you smile, your brain releases tiny molecules called neuropeptides to help fight off stress. Then other neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin and endorphins come into play too. ... Even forcing a smile can still bring you a boost in your mood and happiness level.

Day Six - Be The First

Wednesday 10th Nov
Stop waiting for something to change and be the first to action .  

Be the first person to smile at a stranger, the first person to start a life changing conversation,  to say sorry,  to say I love you,  or to give a genuine compliment.

If you want to really shift your energy and feel happier, this act is a game changer.   

Day Five - Stop complaining for a day

Tuesday 9th Nov
Today's challenge is to be conscious of the thoughts and the words you use.  Just for 24 hours...or if you are like me - challenge yourself daily to stop complaining - you'll be more aware of the words you speak that have a subconcious weight to them.  Its not about being perfect or pretending there are not things/people or events that bother us but trying to be more aware of how we react and what we focus on can make a huge difference.  I have been practicing this regularly for 2 years, I can absolutely guarantee that you will FEEL a dramatic shift in your thinking, your conversations and your happiness levels x 

Day Four - gentle guided meditation

Tuesday 9th Nov

Day Three - Connect with Nature - its better than Tinder.

Sunday 7th Nov

Connect with nature: Nature influences our emotions and relationships, and in turn, these affect our overall health and happiness. Being in nature generates positive emotions and according to psychologists, these positive emotions of joy, awe and wonder build up a range of micro-moments that over time contribute to a deep sense of happiness.

A simple way to reduce stress and improve your mood is to spend a few minutes outdoors each day. Take your shoes off and stand or sit barefoot in the grass, even if just in your lunch break or drinking your coffee in the backyard before work.  Clear your mind from your daily task list and busy week ahead, and let nature help you reflect on what truly matters.

Consistently over the last 10 years,  I wake up early before daylight and make it a daily ritual to watch the sunrise , sometimes capturing the beauty in my photographs, and giving thanks for the simple pleasures of being alive another day, watching the magic of the morning unfold and set the intention to make the most of today…if you are not a morning person, try catching the sunset.  There is no wrong or right way with this activity it is just another way to appreciate the feeling of a natural state of happiness from within. 

 

Day Two - Groove Baby - Shake your booty!

Friday 5th Nov
Emotionally, dancing is a great way to kick start your happy feels!  When you dance your body releases endorphins. This is a chemical that trigger’s positive energy and good vibes -  It helps improve our emotional state and reduce our perception of pain. So basically, dancing is great for your mood - its ok if you have two left feet or feel a bit silly - just put on your favourite music, move those hips that your mumma gave ya and just go for it!  Whether you are alone in the kitchen (I personally clean to loud music and dance with the mop - no shame at all just ask my kids!) If you are serious about feeling good today - give this a go - its free, its fun its easy!

My Song recommendation to start with is James Brown's "I FEEL GOOD!"  




Day One - Put on your Attitude of Gratitude!

Thursday 4th Nov
Happy Saturday!  Now to start our 30 days, we need to dress for happiness, beginning with actively appreciating and giving gratitude for what you already have in your life but also WHO you have in your life.  Yes its right in front of you!  Why is something that is so simple so effective?  When we show appreciation on a regular basis, it opens doors to better conversations, a more postive exchange and you gradually become more optimistic , less stressed and generally happier and healthier as a result!

Today we are going to start with giving thanks for those people in our life that have made an impact.  
DAY ONE ACTIVITY:  Tell someone or a few people today how much you appreciate them,  - thank them for showing their love, being your friend or acknowleding their support.  It can be face to face, on a text message or on the phone.  

It costs nothing, its so simple but ..so powerful - you'll get that warm and fuzzy feeling as well as making someone else feel valued - when it's a genuine appreciation you feel it in your heart and your body.

Please let me know if you have told someone today how much they mean to you and share in the comments, or message me privately.

Good luck and have fun with it!

Preparing for the happiness challenge

Tuesday 2nd Nov
So are you going to join me for this fun challenge?  Starting this Saturday the 6th November and running until Saturday 4th December.  Truly knowing yourself and what makes you happy requires a little bit of effort, all the examples and tips I share along the way are my   suggestions only - these activities are positive little love notes of self care that over the years have helped me personally through some very difficult times.

Before starting the challenge, take some time to examine yourself - your skils, your desires, your motivations, your health and your relationship with yourself and others. 

A few questions to help guide you are:

1.  What do I really think about myself? what do I honestly like about me?  What do I want to work on improving?  
2.  What are some of the activitities and people that make me feel happy (can be past or present examples) 
3. What do I value in life?
4.  What relaxes me?
5.  What actions or situations stress me out?
6. How do I want others to see me?
7.  Name three people I would tell my deepest secrets too or call instantly in a crisis.
8. If I could change one thing right now - what would it be? 

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Looking forward to the next 30 days with you. Good luck 😘

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You never cease to inspire and spread joy!

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