Don’t we all dream of a life that is filled with laughter? That may be a reason for chasing big
bucks, which like the golden-fleece eludes the majority of us. Financial Wellness is extremely
important but there are other factors that make us happy and healthy and eventually wealthy.
I will introduce a few of these ‘hacks’ that are guaranteed to make you happy if you continue
practicing them. You definitely do not need to live in Finland to experience happiness even
though many people agree that is the “headquarters” of happiness.
- Wake-Up Ritual
a. Say to yourself that today will be a beautiful day or a great day
b. Ask God what He has in store for you. Use me Lord (if not a Christian what you
believe in will be useful as well.
c. Remind yourself of your purpose in life and get out of bed
d. Do Not grab your phone as the first thing for the day.
2. Pray
- Smile
a. Definitely floods your body with feel good hormones and insulates you from
stress
b. Smiling is infectious so the more you smile the better and you set off a smiling
/happiness domino effect
- Meditate
a. Extremely good for your brain and an easy way to start is to do deep-breathing
and just focus on your “breath” excluding all others. That is what some will prefer
to call mindfulness.
- Exercise
a. That wonder drug that trumps virtually all others. Like smiling it does pour out
feel good hormones. Strength training even goes an extra mile causing our
muscles to act as “pharmacies” that pour out life-changing signals every time they
contract.
- Be kind to yourself & to others.
a. We are often too harsh on ourselves. Give yourself a break. Self-care is the real
deal!!
b. Being harsh to others has no benefits.
- Spend some time doing nothing
a. We need to re-set from time to time. Spend about 10 minutes a day doing
absolutely nothing. There is happiness and innovation in “idling”. Do not abuse
idling though
- Spend time with loved ones
a. This is another powerful happiness “hack”. You have to make time and be
intentional about this; talk on phone, send messages, arrange to meet for a drink
or meal. Social Wellness ranks very high on the happiness index and it’s fairly
easy to plug into it.
b. While spending time together remember that your choice of food and drinks also
impacts on how happy or sad or anxious you may feel.
- Indulge in a hobby
a. Our bodies and brain love variety. Do you have a hobby? Get one
- Write in your gratitude diary
a. That is all it takes – keep doing it regularly.
This list is not exhaustive but definitely a good start. Share your happiness hacks with me via
email and together we can keep the world smiling and happy.
At the end of each day ask yourself if you did better than the previous day. That is all it takes.
Doing better than the previous day for 365 days, for 5 years, 10 years… How amazing that will
be!!!
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND
REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood
pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd/ Mobissel
(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)
*Dr. Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy, fitness
nutrition and corrective exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The
Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
Thought for the week – “There is no magic formula to being happy but making a conscious
effort to be happy goes a long way.” – Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Read also Self Care is Priceless
