2023: The year of a better, more joyful YOU!
“We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.”
—Joseph Campbell
Spoiler alert: Life is hard. Particularly right now, life has been challenging, and so being joyful and mindful of our well-being can feel out of reach. Indeed, a recent study even found that happiness among Americans fell to a five-decade low. The good news is that by adding more joy to your day, you enhance and improve your overall well-being, so check out this list of joy-inducing habits!
01. Connect with Others
Social interaction is so important, regardless of whether you’re more introverted or extroverted. When you make personal connections with other people through friendships, work relationships, or even random people at the grocery store, your mood is boosted, and you feel more content.
02. Journal Joyfully
When is the last time you considered what brings you true joy? Thinking about the people, moments, foods, hobbies, smells, animals, etc. that make us happy and writing about them can inspire us to recreate those scenarios.
Physically putting a pen to paper encourages us to intentionally be creative and honest with what brings us feelings of happiness! But if journaling feels overwhelming, consider starting by writing down one thing a day that you’re grateful for.
03. Fueling Your Body
Focusing on nutritional and digestive health will do wonders for your brain. Yet in a world of fast food, processed food, time crunches, and pressure to get more done, eating well can feel daunting. We recommend trying batch cooking, having healthy snack options wrapped and ready to go, or even finding a meal delivery service in your area. Whatever the case, be realistic with yourself and create a strategy to help you feel good from the inside out!
04. Move It!
No, this doesn’t mean you have to go to the gym for hours or do something every day. However, finding your joyful movement can reduce stress, promote healthy habits, and improve body functions. Be open and creative with how you move.
This might mean kickboxing, running, hiking, yoga, and dancing, but it could also mean playing with children, gardening, walking the dog, or playing an instrument. Whatever your fancy, remember to take it slowly and adjust your schedule to find out what works for you!
05. Treat Yourself
You deserve to have a healthy relationship with yourself, and that means prioritizing doing things that take care of your mind, body, and soul. The benefits are plentiful, as self-care can help prevent burnout, increase your energy, reset your focus, and help you become more resilient. Treating yourself to your favorite food, going on a shopping trip, winding down in a bubble bath, or getting your hair done are some great places to start!
Like Joseph Campbell’s quote says, while life can throw a lot at us, we must choose to live in joy.
Changing our habits can be hard and uncomfortable, but during a busy life, it is more important than ever to notice the parts of life that create joy. By finding those moments, you take care of yourself in the process, so we hope that these tips can turn into a joyful new year focusing on a better you.