FIND YOUR FAVOURITE HAPPINESS THERAPY – AND DO IT!!

 Occasionally there are phases when days and days go by and we aren’t happy.. we aren’t SAD.. but we’re just a little “cranky” and not enjoying things as much as we normally would.. SO.. What’s the matter with us? Are we going into a depression? (The number of people who diagnose themselves and others to be going through depression is SCARY!!) Why don’t we feel like meeting our friends? Why don’t we want to spend time with our families.. or read that book.. bake that cake we’ve been wanting to for so long??

The reason is simple.. because we’re lost! We aren’t spending enough time with ourselves and therefore we don’t know what makes us genuinely happy or sad anymore.. Another reason is because we don’t use specific words to qualify our feelings.. let’s try using words like energized.. motivated.. lonely.. instigated.. instead of the insipid and generic “good.. psyched.. blah.. etc..!!

The encouraging news is that it’s relatively simple to come out of the “crankiness”.. all we need to do is be consciously aware of the moments when we’re “top of the world happy” and remember WHAT WE 9or someone else) DID to make us feel that way! Replicate the task.. or the experience.. and.. zip zap zoom – there you are.. floating on cloud 9 once again!

Speaking for myself, I call it “happiness therapy” and it’s fluid.. there are a few that I practise.. and am happy to share them here..

·       Spending half an hour daily with MYSELF.. mobile phone switched OFF.. not on silent.. and have given instructions that I am not to be disturbed for any reason but a dire emergency.. Am either listening to music.. reading.. or just “being”.. it’s becoming my all-time favourite therapy!

·       Watching my all-time favourite movie “The Sound of Music”.. such an uplifting story.. and the songs are just beautiful.. 20 minutes is all it takes to put a big smile on my face!

·       Another super option is making a “to do” list! It just helps me to gather my thoughts.. understand what needs to be done.. plan it and do it! Absolutely LOVE crossing out the tasks as they get done one by one!

·       It could be as simple as playing 3 or 4 back-to-back games of “blood” Ludo (as we call it) with my best friend Sumit.. It’s great fun.. highly competitive.. we “growl” “snarl” “grumble” and are in the happiest of moods when we finish!

·       My ultimate one is tidying up and organizing cupboards! I Am strange and weird.. right? Have been told that umpteen times and am kind of immune to it now!! Will stand by my words and this is why..

I have realized and understood that when my “outer space” is in a mess.. my “inner space” is in a bigger mess! I cannot function in chaos and need order in my life! Those of you who know me well will testify to this and know that when I say I’m cleaning up my cupboard.. all is NOT well in my world!

Impossible to believe but true.. half the year is over already and the pandemic ensures that we still have plenty of challenges ahead.. but staying happy in the head and heart should be on topmost priority every single day!

Most importantly, remember that only YOU know which therapy works best for you.. and WHEN you need it! Spend some quiet time with yourself.. analyze and understand what YOUR special happiness therapy is.. and make sure you do it.. and overdo it.. as much as you can! Do feel free to share it with others too.. just keep spreading the happiness!!