To celebrate the release of my new book, Fall In Love With Life, I have invited a few friends to share their experiences and tips for falling in love with life. Today, I welcome Heather Ash, freelance writer and blogger at http://www.happinessmama.com/. Here are Heather’s top tips for more happiness:
Life is good. You are setting goals, working on projects, making things happen. But sometimes you feel overwhelmed, and you’re slogging through your days, dangerously close to burn out.
Not good.
You want to live your happiest life, making your dreams come true while making each day, this day, a day you are in love with.
Because we know life is not about yesterday or tomorrow or next year. It’s about Now.
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A long time ago I thought it would be fun to experience Hawaii, so I did. I lived there and did volunteer work for three blissful months of my life. It was a happy, simple, stress-free time–very different from my current life, which although happy, is far from simple: It’s very rich, full of family and children and tons of projects, big and little, that I’m trying to make happen. And yes, lots of stress, too.
Sometimes a fresh dose of bliss is in order to bring me back to a state of peace and calm.
Here are five aspects of my Hawaiian lifestyle and ways to apply them here and now, for less overwhelm–and a more fall-in-lovable life!
1. I was mindful of the beauty around me.
Pay attention and enjoy the little things.
If you’re like me, you are often deep in thought and don’t always pay attention to the here and now. Whatever you’re doing, open your eyes and your mind to the beauty that is around you. Look your children in the eyes when they’re telling you something, even if you’re busy. Notice the beautiful pink light when you walk outside at dusk. When you’re taking a walk, stop to look at the caterpillar in the grass. Pay attention. Enjoy!
2. I never watched TV or got on the internet. (!)
Unplug.
Make sure to spend time every day away from the computer and TV. Although screens can and do add value to our lives, we all know they can be major time suck and energy drain if we don’t set the right boundaries. One tip: approach the computer with a list, and stick to it.
3. I walked almost everywhere since I didn’t have a car.
Walk!
These days I walk every morning and afternoon, and sometimes more. It helps me relax, and I often get new creative ideas while walking. There is no question that being active makes a huge positive difference in your physical and mental health. If you can’t walk, find something active you enjoy, and do it! What can you do for five minutes today?
4. I spent tons of time actively enjoying nature.
Go outside, and enjoy.
My urban neighborhood is far from the awe-inspiring natural beauty of Hawaii. Still, I have trees and flowers and sky right outside my door, and parks, gardens, and nature preserves a short drive away. I love visiting my local botanical garden for some natural beauty-induced calm. Even a few minutes of sun and sky can help restore calm to your life.
5. I was part of a community.
Connect!
Even though I’m an introvert and need tons of alone-time to function optimally, I also need time with my friends and family having meaningful conversations, plus just plain fun! Yet, it can be hard to find time even to talk on the phone, much less coordinate schedules to actually get together. It may be difficult, but it is critical. Who can you call today? What can you put on the calendar?
Are you ready to fall in love with life? Give these tips a try for less stress and more happy!
Create the life you want, today.
You can do it!
Heather Ash is a freelance writer and blogger who loves being a mother, living life, and drinking coffee.
Find Heather her online at http://www.happinessmama.com/.
And connect with Heather here:
The guest blogging party is going to continue into September (and maybe October too!) – to join in, check out the deets and rules here.