We all know that saying, “sometimes it’s the little things in life that matter most.” Not surprisingly, there is truth to this, and it can be found in, well, the smallest of places.
Something to remember on your very own pursuit of happiness is to never underestimate the power of the little things in life. These are the things that are usually overlooked, taken for granted, or pushed aside just waiting for something bigger to happen. These are also the things that many of us pass over while looking for an “easy fix” to our problems. You know what the irony behind this is?
These little things in life can give us this “easy fix” to our problems!
Our health, our happiness, our sanity; these can all be improved and maintained through these little things that we so often push aside.
Along your pursuit of happiness, be sure to never underestimate the power of:
1. Taking walks
Not only are taking walks good for your health, automatically releasing those ‘feel-good’ chemicals in your brain, but there is a mindful and social aspect to it as well. If you’re walking by yourself, this could be a time to gather your thoughts, or think through something that you may not have had time to focus on in your busy life. If walking with others, it gives you time to bond with the people around you. Most importantly, it connects you to nature. We so often get lost in technology that we forget about this great world that exists around us, which takes us right to number two on the list.
2. Abandoning technology
I know this is not easy for any of us to do. Whether we hold our technology so dearly close for work purposes or social reasons, there is a time and place that we can abandon that technology, even for a short amount of time. We all have that friend who is constantly behind their phone, and they give off that disconnected-vibe to those around them. Yes, our generation is full of fabulous multi-taskers, but the truth of the matter is, your brain is splitting the attention between these two things, not fully committing to either one. Take the time to fully commit to something! Enjoy that walk outside, have coffee with a friend or family member, read a book with no distractions. Wherever you are when abandoning that technology, be all there.
3. Friends who have never left your side
Think of your one or two friends who would drop anything to help you, and have stuck it out with you through your worst of times, those are the people you never let go. Of course, we all get busy in our routines and everything we commit to in our schedules, but don’t let these friends go, and most certainly do not take them for granted. They will be the ones late-night shopping the night before your grandmother’s funeral, making midnight runs with you to the grocery store for medicine, and sitting in the background as you endure those awful, awkward Tinder dates, being sure you make it home safely. They are your cheerleaders, your life coaches, and you most certainly do not want to let them go.
4. Giving your time
Time is a tricky thing in today’s world. Being smothered by high costs of living, student loans, and other obligations in life, our schedules are usually pre-determined and frankly, just full. That’s not to say you cannot find time to give to others. This can be done through volunteering, helping a friend, visiting a family member, or anything that you may have been pushing aside for “when you find time.” It’s your time! You are in control of it, and you can do with it as you please. The selfless feeling you receive from giving your time to others is insurmountable. It’s part of human nature to work together as a community, we cannot let our new ways of life defeat this innate responsibility we uphold.
5. Eating Healthy
Everyone is always telling us to improve our diets, usually to obtain those impossible-to-obtain celebrity bodies that don’t actually exist (no, they do not, so stop starving yourself to get there). But there is more to eating healthy than losing weight. Healthy foods fuel your brain. I am sure you have been witness to people with constant health problems that are going unsolved, but then indulging in fast food every night, or replacing breakfast with a mocha-coffee and doughnut. This food takes more energy to digest than it is giving you! You have a full day ahead of you, you need your health, and you need your focus. Nothing will give you this except your body, so treat it well and it will do the rest for you.
There are so many more elements of life that you should never underestimate the power of, but these key ones will aid you in your pursuit of happiness. Try them out, do it at your own time and with your own flare. But don’t abandon the little things in life, for they really do comprise the big things.
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