Pri's guide: Finding your happiness!

I recently read an article on Happiness, the best way to achieve it and how to maintain it. That sentence alone makes me happy.

I get it. Millennials are changing how the world is being run, from start up companies, social media businesses, infinite access to information,  and much more. Hold up. Doesn't that also cause a lot of pressure to create an image? Don't you feel the burden of constantly having to provide examples? I believe that so much emphasys has been put on sharing happiness via social media, that no one knows the true meaning of happiness.

Psychologists have been using a term called FoMO for years now, but based on the evolution of human behavior, that term has been increasingly getting more popularity among teens.
Young kids, in middle school and high school are suffering the consequences of this new generation.

FoMO stands for Fear of Missing Out. This happens because so much is being shared on social media. Imagine if you were not invited, or your parents didn't allow you to go out, and you see all your friends sharing their "fun" on Snapchat, or Instagram live feeds... it causes a child to wonder whats wrong with them that they weren't invited or generate anger towards their parents. On top of it all, most of the kids are on their phones, posting for likes, shares and popularity.

Nowadays Suicide among teenagers has been rising at alarming rates, and a lot has to do with social media, not fitting in, and not being able to communicate properly. Hopefully, sharing some of my personal take and insight will arouse interest to search for your own happiness, apart from how the world tells you to be happy.

First of all, there is NO constant happiness, or else we wouldn't know the greatest lesson of life; failure.

Knowing that it's okay to feel down, it's okay to cry, it's okay to feel depressed. IT IS NORMAL!
Life is a roller coaster of emotions, up and down. Through your high's you create enough power to amp up the lows. Get acquainted with balance. A life that is balanced will allow you to discover what you love, and what you don't love. The things you are interested in trying and those that you don't enjoy.

DO NOT COMPARE.
The beauty of life is knowing that everyone is different, therefore, their challenges, their victories and their battles will be different. BE COMPASSIONATE. Compassion will allow you to push hate aside. Hate is a strong word & a strong feeling; if you live governed by hate, you live under a dictatorship that will guide you into a dark path. Don't be a sith, be a jedi.

Here are the 8 main habits that may allow you to achieve balance, and over all joy. Don't forget that no one can tell you how to be happy, no one can be happy for you. These habits are here to show you a path that might work for you.

1. Exercise
2. Diet and Nutrition
3. Religious and Spiritual
4. Recreation
5. Relaxation and Stress Management
6. Relationships
7. Contribution and Service
8. Time in Nature

1. Exercise:
Okay, it's been known for years now that exercising increases happiness. Let's tinker about this... It releases endorphins, which is the hormone of happiness! For those who do not enjoy exercising... it's because you haven't found yours yet. There are many different ways to get your body active, without realizing you are doing actual work. Think about hiking, horse back riding, skate boarding, skiing, running, biking, working on your car outdoors under a scolding sun. There are many ways to exercise, even if you go for daily walks.... the important thing to remember is that you need to form a habit. 

2. Diet and Nutrition:                                    

Bruschetta Salad

 Nowadays with so many researches coming out about eating, everyone tells you what to eat. Don't listen. I studied Nutrition to be able to base my diet on facts. Fact is, eat in balance. If you like eating junk, eat it once or twice in a week. If you balance each area of the food chain, you will be in your prime. I have so much Intel on food diets that I wouldn't be able to explain everything in this blog post, nor either do I want to get into this conversation. Just keep a healthy diet, eat loads of fruits and vegetables! Keep it simple.

3. Religious and Spiritual:
 No one is saying for you to start going to Church. If you do, great! If you don't, there are other ways to be Religious. I don't attend Church, I never did as a child, but that doesn't mean I'm not religious or spiritual. Every night I pray, I put my fears into a prayer, I ask for the things I want/need, and I talk to whomever listens. It does wonders. Pray to God, Pray to the Greek Gods, Pray to the Universe, Pray to whomever you want, but pray. It clears your mind of worries, and shares the burden with the Universe. We are all connected, one way or another, therefore, your thoughts will be shared with the higher consciousness that surrounds us all, and you will be more likely to achieve those goals;You attract what you wish for. 

Another advice I would highly recommend is to say thanks. I make a point to once a day (preferably in the morning), appreciate everything that has been given to me. Those who are grateful for what they have, are more in peace with their lives, searching less, and acquiring more because they surround their life with love and confidence. Confidence that will help you attract everything your heart desires. I start off my mornings by appreciating everything I have, and setting my intentions for the day. That way, any left over thoughts can be washed away and I will be more present  in my day.

 4.Recreation:
Get into activities you enjoy.
Love reading? Go to a book club! Entice your mind with different perspectives. Like to dive? Participate in Dive groups. Do you love to sing? Be part of a band. Get into habits that better shape YOU.  Drinking is not an activity, hangovers aren't fun, and you can't put it in your resume as
Special skill. Yes, it's totally fine to engage in social drinking, but that's not a healthy habit.
 Discover what makes you, YOU! For example: I used to love drinking when I was younger, you know what that got me? A DUI. I'm obsessed with DYI projects, you know what that got me? An AWESOME apartment decorated on a budget, candles I can light up at any moment and a possible business where I can make real money in. It's important to know that you are unique, you have experiences that no one has, and you have activities that you love, but have not yet discovered. Take the time to invest in yourself.

The Colors of Tennessee

5. Relaxation and Stress Management:
Actually, this goes hand in hand with the prayers. It helps me manage my stress.. talking to a higher purpose helps me manage and share my doubts, fears and stress. I also love to engage in Meditation, it helps clear my mind and deattach myself from everything that has happened to me during my day. Obviously this is just how I manage myself, there are many different ways to do so. You can go to a psychologist (I highly recommend. I have gone to one for a couple of years now, it's a healthy way to managing things you do not have a control over), you can do yoga, paint, listen to music, you can go shooting at your local shooting range, partake in a kick boxing class and let out your anger... there is no right way or wrong way. As long as you are not hurting yourself, or anyone else, you can find creative ways to relieve your mind of worries. Have some interesting ways? Write a comment and share it with me!

                       6.Relationships:

Eastwindss

Actually this subject alone has been studied to explain happiness. Meaningful relationships are the base for a healthy life. Friends, family, Love relationships ... all those can provide meaningful interactions to your life and make you feel wanted/needed. Quality time together, not an online presence of posting on each others social media. Having a girls night, full of masks, wine and movies. Taking the dog to the park with your friend! Going on weekend getaways with your boyfriend.. Learning a new language with a friend to have someone you can practice with. Getting into classes and creating relationships that add meaning to what you do and create. These relationships  grow into cherish-able memories, and develop value to your living. My favorite kind of relationship is the love one. Love endures all, if you have love, you have everything. I love, love!

7.Contribution and Service:
This is where your Thank-You's can go into as well.Volunteer work! Do you love to go to the beach? Participate on a beach clean up. This way you educate yourself not to throw trash, you learn about how many idiot people leave trash at the beach (gets into our oceans and kills marine life, like we aren't killing them enough with pollution) and on top of it all, you are doing it for a higher purpose.
HELP. Participate in a soup kitchen, Recycle your goods, Donate your clothes to those who don't have, Open the door for your elders.. there are endless ways of helping, from fundraisers, to actual work.

8.Time in Nature:                                              

Space Travel

Ding-Ding-Ding! We have gotten to my personal favorite! I absolutely love time spent outside. It helps cleanse your soul, moon baths, sun baths, whatever you would like to call it. It's great! Spending time observing life itself is mesmerizing to say the least. The Tao which is a Doctrine based on the Tao Te Ching written by Lao Tzu talks about learning to observe the world as is, Raw in all its beauty and splendor. What we can take of that, is that to say at least that Nature has a huge impact on how in peace we are with ourselves. If you aren't a fan of camping or outside activities,  remember that are plenty of awesome ideas ... watching movies under the stars, picnics, going to the pool. Get wild, GET IT! 😏


Guys, I just wanted to share my take on happiness and what I have gathered so far... I hope you guys enjoyed the post and understood the point I wanted to get across... Less social media more adventures!

- See ya!
PS: I have to add my reference to the original article.