6 Easy Life Tips to Free Flowing Happiness >>>>>  :-)

With deep appreciation to Natalie

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Tip 1.  Expressing Gratitude

"From Oprah to Wayne Dyer to Eckhart Tolle, many of the world's top experts on human happiness have raved about the amazing life-changing power of gratitude

But why?

Multiple peer-reviewed studies have shown that frequently expressing gratitude increases happiness and fulfillment, reduces stress and depression, and even relieves the symptoms of illness. 

One specific study by Dr. Robert A. Emmons found that people who wrote down just 5 things they were  grateful for each week were 25% happier than those who didn't.

Action Steps: Keep a gratitude journal and write down at least one thing you're grateful for at the start of each day.

Tip 2. Exercising Regularly

Everyone knows exercise is a cornerstone of health and fitness - but did you know that even just a few minutes of daily exercise can dramatically boost your ability to be happier?

In his book The Happiness Advantage, Shawn Anchor points out an experiment that used medication, exercise, and a combination of the two to help three groups of people suffering  from depression.

Six months later, 38 percent of the group that had used medication had slipped back into depression, just like 31 percent of the group that had used a combination of medication and exercise. Yet in the exercise group, the relapse rate was a rock-bottom 9 percent!

Not depressed? Exercise is also a great way to stimulate your brain's 'happy juices' - including endorphins and the protein known as BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor).

Action Steps: If you're strapped for time, check out High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), which gives you all the benefits of a traditional long workout in just minutes a day.

Tip 3. Getting Enough Sleep

Multiple studies show that your quality of sleep directly affects your quality of life. 

A lack of sleep wreaks havoc on your brain in many ways, including your amygdala's ability to control mood swings, brain tissue deterioration, and the buildup of adenosine, a fatigue-inducing chemical.

A study by the BPS Research Digest even shows that a lack of sleep makes you more sensitive to negative emotions like fear and anger while shutting you off to positive emotions.

Action Steps: Allow yourself to have at least 7 hours of quality sleep each night.

Tip 4.  Focusing On Relationships

Whether you're an introvert or an extrovert, research shows that everyone derives positive emotions from connecting with people they care about.

Harvard happiness expert Daniel Gilbert has a beautiful way of framing relationships:

"We are happy when we have family, we are happy when we have friends and almost all the other things we think make us happy are actually just ways of getting more family and friends."

And remember - 'not staying in touch with my loved ones' is one of the biggest regrets of the elderly.

Action Steps: Get off Facebook for a while and ask an old friend or family member out for a meal or coffee - and remember to stay in touch!

Tip 5.  Meditation

If you're reading this, you've probably heard of the countless benefits of being in flow - but did you know that this ancient practice also creates physical happiness-boosting changes in your brain?

Meditation has been shown to correspond with positive changes in the amygdala, in the preservation of grey matter, and in reducing the activity level of the brain's Default Mode Network; which is responsible for triggering your stress-inducing "monkey mind.”

The result? A calmer, more positive and happier you, not just when you're meditating, but throughout your day.

Action Steps: Start meditating for at least 5 minutes a day, either in the morning before you start your day, or in the evening before bed - preferably both! The more time you spend with meditation, the more likely you will be able to achieve happiness fully.

Tip 6.  Increasing Your Serotonin Production

Serotonin is the chemical that relays signals from one area of your brain to the other. A lack of serotonin is associated with a variety of mental and emotional disorders, including depression and anxiety. 

On the flip side, when you boost the production of this chemical in your brain, your mood and behavior improve noticeably.

Action Steps: Here are some natural ways to boost your serotonin:

~ Take nutrients including vitamin B6, B12, and the amino acid 5-HTP

~ Add more high-protein grains to your diet, like quinoa and amaranth

~ Get under the sun and soak up some vitamin D

~ Get a massage (yes, really!)

But that’s not the only way to reduce stress and optimize your brain power to its full potential!  Meditation is by far the most effective tool for diving deep within - 

And wiping out the hidden energetic blocks cheating you of becoming the wealthiest, happiest, healthiest, most successful version of yourself."

*Note Bene:

Changing your light bulb will change your life