If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by worry, you know how difficult it is to feel happy at the same time. Worry and happiness are by nature complete opposites; they cannot co-exist. When you worry, you’re focusing more on the negative side of a situation, and therefore attracting it into your life! When you’re happy, you’re not focusing on the negative side but rather affirming all that’s good in your life, and therefore attracting it!
The problem that many people face is figuring out how to minimize worry and spend more time feeling happy. Below you’ll find five easy ways to transform worry into a genuine state of happiness:
1) Find something to laugh about.
Laughter automatically relaxes you and makes you feel less anxious. Turn on the television and watch a funny sitcom for half an hour, or pop a comedy film into the DVD player and have yourself a good belly laugh. If you’re not at home or the television isn’t available, simply play a funny movie in your mind! Think about a memory from the past that made you laugh and relive it again. Or buy some good joke books and keep them handy for the next time you need some lighthearted fun.
2) Dance.
It’s hard to feel uptight and anxious when you’re boogeying to the beat of some great music! If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even try out some new dance moves and allow yourself to get silly. Grab a hairbrush and sing into the handle. Put a lampshade on your head. Don’t worry about what other people think; if it makes you feel good you’re on the right track!
3) Clean house.
There are two ways that cleaning can ease worry and anxiety: First, the physical activity itself can provide an excellent outlet for tension. As you scrub, mop, vacuum, dust and neaten your surroundings, you purge the tension from your mind and body and focus your full attention on the tasks at hand, which helps you disconnect from worrisome thoughts. Secondly, when you’re finished cleaning you can sit back and enjoy a much calmer, cleaner and harmonious environment, which automatically helps you feel more relaxed and happy.
4) Make an investment in cheer.
Gazing at something cheerful and uplifting can ease anxiety and worry too! Buy a bouquet of flowers for your home or workspace, or purchase some soothing artwork to hang on the walls. Even a wall calendar with soothing or cheerful pictures can provide a positive focus and help ease worry.
5) Stimulate your senses.
Besides looking at cheerful or soothing surroundings, you may want to stimulate your other senses too. Try baking something delicious and allowing the scents of vanilla, cinnamon, or nutmeg to fill your home with warmth and comfort. Put on your favorite comfy clothes and curl up with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate. Enjoy a warm, scented bubble bath or buy a set of soft flannel sheets for your bed.
Ultimately it doesn’t matter what you do to ease worry, as long as you’re doing something that comforts or uplifts you and helps you to focus on happier thoughts. When you do this, you automatically blot out worry and shift immediately into a happier state of mind.