Say No to Morning Sickness

Though morning sickness doesn't always come hand in hand with pregnancy, approximately half of all women who are pregnant will experience morning sickness. The term “morning sickness” is actually a misnomer. Feelings of nausea, heartburn and even vomiting can strike at any time during the day.

What causes morning sickness? There are many theories. Some believe that the changing hormone levels in a woman's body result in nausea and a general sense of malaise. There are other researchers that have suggested that morning sickness is a protective mechanism that prevents the mother from ingesting potential harmful items such as teratogens or abortifacients.

For most women morning sickness disappears shortly after the first trimester, or at about 13 weeks.

Coping With Morning Sickness
If you have morning sickness, fortunately there are many things you can do to cope. Here are some time tested remedies that help relieve some of the symptoms of morning sickness:
• Eat several small meals per day instead of three large ones.
• Have some crackers and soda or water by the bed and try eating a few before you rise in the morning. An empty stomach often results in more nausea.
• Drink lots of fluids. Some women find carbonated water flavored with lemon to be quite soothing.
• Try some ginger or ginger ale, which is well known for alleviating nausea.
• Eat foods that are high in protein and carbohydrates.
• Avoid fatty or spicy foods, which are more likely to cause nausea.
• Get plenty of rest and take prenatal vitamins. If your vitamins make you nauseous, try taking them with meals.
• Avoid strong odors or smells that can induce nausea.
• Avoid lying down immediately after eating.

Hyperemisis
When Morning Sickness Gets Serious

Occasionally morning sickness can turn into a serious condition that poses a risk to you and your baby.

Some women have a combined lack of appetite and experience excessive vomiting. This can result in malnourishment and dehydration, and may require a brief hospital stay.

Doctors will sometimes diagnose a woman with a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) or severe morning sickness. This form of severe morning sickness usually only affects less than 1 percent of pregnant women. It is characterized by persistent and extreme nausea and vomiting, where the affected individual might vomit as much as 10-30 times per day.

A woman with HG may also lose 10 to 20 percent of her body weight and experience electrolyte imbalances due to the extreme vomiting. Dehydration and liver damage can occur.

For most women hyperemesis gravidarum becomes less severe as the pregnancy progresses, much like typical morning sickness. Treatment usually involves intravenous fluid hydration.

Some women with the condition will also receive anti-emetic drugs to help with nausea and stop the vomiting.

Morning sickness is a common ailment of pregnancy that often gets better over time. Occasionally a woman might experience some mild morning sickness for the duration of their pregnancy. Fortunately there are a number of things you can do to help alleviate the symptoms of morning sickness.

If you are concerned that you might have a more severe form of morning sickness or are vomiting several times per day for an extended period of time, be sure to consult with your health care provider for advice.


Source: www.womenshealthcaretopics.com

The 20 Healthiest Foods for Unhealthy Budget

Food prices are climbing, and some might be looking to fast foods and packaged foods for their cheap bites. But low cost doesn’t have to mean low quality. In fact, some of the most inexpensive things you can buy are the best things for you. At the grocery store, getting the most nutrition for the least amount of money means hanging out on the peripheries—near the fruits and veggies, the meat and dairy, and the bulk grains—while avoiding the expensive packaged interior. By doing so, not only will your kitchen be stocked with excellent foods, your wallet won’t be empty.

1. Oats
High in fiber and complex carbohydrates, oats have also been shown to lower cholesterol. And they sure are cheap—a dollar will buy you more than a week’s worth of hearty breakfasts.
Serving suggestions: Sprinkle with nuts and fruit in the morning, make oatmeal cookies for dessert.

2. Eggs
You can get about a half dozen of eggs for a dollar, making them one of the cheapest and most versatile sources of protein. They are also a good source of the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which may ward off age-related eye problems.
Serving suggestions: Huevos rancheros for breakfast, egg salad sandwiches for lunch, and frittatas for dinner.

3. Kale
This dark, leafy green is loaded with vitamin C, carotenoids, and calcium. Like most greens, it is usually a dollar a bunch.
Serving suggestions: Chop up some kale and add to your favorite stir-fry; try German-Style Kale or traditional Irish Colcannon.

4. Potatoes
Because we often see potatoes at their unhealthiest—as fries or chips—we don’t think of them as nutritious, but they definitely are. Eaten with the skin on, potatoes contain almost half a day’s worth of Vitamin C, and are a good source of potassium. If you opt for sweet potatoes or yams, you’ll also get a good wallop of beta carotene. Plus, they’re dirt cheap and have almost endless culinary possibilities.
Serving suggestions: In the a.m., try Easy Breakfast Potatoes; for lunch, make potato salad; for dinner, have them with sour cream and chives.

5. Apples
I’m fond of apples because they’re inexpensive, easy to find, come in portion-controlled packaging, and taste good. They are a good source of pectin—a fiber that may help reduce cholesterol—and they have the antioxidant Vitamin C, which keeps your blood vessels healthy.
Serving suggestions: Plain; as applesauce; or in baked goods like Pumpkin-Apple Breakfast Bread.

6. Nuts
Though nuts have a high fat content, they’re packed with the good-for-you fats—unsaturated and monounsaturated. They’re also good sources of essential fatty acids, Vitamin E, and protein. And because they’re so nutrient-dense, you only need to eat a little to get the nutritional benefits. Although some nuts, like pecans and macadamias, can be costly, peanuts, walnuts, and almonds, especially when bought in the shell, are low in cost.
Serving suggestions: Raw; roasted and salted; sprinkled in salads.

7. Bananas
At a local Trader Joe’s, I found bananas for about 19¢ apiece; a dollar gets you a banana a day for the workweek. High in potassium and fiber (9 grams for one), bananas are a no-brainer when it comes to eating your five a day quotient of fruits and veggies.
Serving suggestions: In smoothies, by themselves, in cereal and yogurt.

8. Garbanzo Beans
With beans, you’re getting your money’s worth and then some. Not only are they a great source of protein and fiber, but ’bonzos are also high in fiber, iron, folate, and manganese, and may help reduce cholesterol levels. And if you don’t like one type, try another—black, lima, lentils … the varieties are endless. Though they require soaking and cooking, the most inexpensive way to purchase these beans is in dried form; a precooked can will still only run you around a buck.
Serving suggestions: In salads, curries, and Orange Hummus.

9. Broccoli
Broccoli contains tons of nice nutrients—calcium, vitamins A and C, potassium, folate, and fiber. As if that isn’t enough, broccoli is also packed with phytonutrients, compounds that may help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Plus, it’s low in calories and cost.

10. Watermelon
Though you may not be able to buy an entire watermelon for a dollar, your per serving cost isn’t more than a few dimes. This summertime fruit is over 90 percent water, making it an easy way to hydrate, and gives a healthy does of Vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene, an antioxidant that may ward off cancer.
Serving suggestions: Freeze chunks for popsicles; eat straight from the rind; squeeze to make watermelon margaritas (may negate the hydrating effect!).

11. Wild Rice
It won’t cost you much more than white rice, but wild rice is much better for you. Low in fat and high in protein and fiber, this gluten-free rice is a great source of complex carbohydrates. It packs a powerful potassium punch and is loaded with B vitamins. Plus, it has a nutty, robust flavor.
Serving suggestions: Mix with nuts and veggies for a cold rice salad; blend with brown rice for a side dish.

12. Beets
Beets are my kind of vegetable—their natural sugars make them sweet to the palate while their rich flavor and color make them nutritious for the body. They’re powerhouses of folate, iron, and antioxidants.
Serving suggestions: Shred into salads, slice with goat cheese. If you buy your beets with the greens on, you can braise them in olive oil like you would other greens.

13. Butternut Squash
This beautiful gourd swings both ways: sometimes savory, sometimes sweet. However you prepare the butternut, it will not only add color and texture, but also five grams of fiber per half cup and chunks and chunks of Vitamin A and C. When in season, butternut squash and related gourds are usually less than a dollar a pound.
Serving suggestions: Try Pear and Squash Bruschetta; cook and dot with butter and salt.

14. Whole Grain Pasta
In the days of Atkins, pasta was wrongly convicted, for there is nothing harmful about a complex carbohydrate source that is high in protein and B vitamins. Plus, it’s one of the cheapest staples you can buy.
Serving suggestions: Mix clams and white wine with linguine; top orzo with tomatoes and garlic; eat cold Farfalle Salad on a picnic.

15. Sardines
As a kid, I used to hate it when my dad would order sardines on our communal pizzas, but since then I’ve acquired a taste for them. Because not everyone has, you can still get a can of sardines for relatively cheap. And the little fish come with big benefits: calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and B vitamins. And, because they’re low on the food chain, they don’t accumulate mercury.
Serving suggestions: Mash them with parsley, lemon juice, and olive oil for a spread; eat them plain on crackers; enjoy as a pizza topping (adults only).

16. Spinach
Spinach is perhaps one of the best green leafies out there—it has lots of Vitamin C, iron, and trace minerals. Plus, you can usually find it year round for less than a dollar.
Serving suggestions: Sautéed with eggs, as a salad, or a Spinach Frittata.

17. Tofu
Not just for vegetarians anymore, tofu is an inexpensive protein source that can be used in both savory and sweet recipes. It’s high in B vitamins and iron, but low in fat and sodium, making it a healthful addition to many dishes.
Serving suggestions: Use silken varieties in Tofu Cheesecake; add to smoothies for a protein boost; cube and marinate for barbecue kebobs.

18. Lowfat Milk
Yes, the price of a gallon of milk is rising, but per serving, it’s still under a dollar; single serving milk products, like yogurt, are usually less than a dollar, too. Plus, you’ll get a lot of benefit for a small investment. Milk is rich in protein, vitamins A and D, potassium, and niacin, and is one of the easiest ways to get bone-strengthening calcium.
Serving suggestions: In smoothies, hot chocolate, or coffee; milk products like low fat cottage cheese and yogurt.

19. Pumpkin Seeds
When it’s time to carve your pumpkin this October, don’t shovel those seeds into the trash—they’re a goldmine of magnesium, protein, and trace minerals. Plus, they come free with the purchase of a pumpkin.
Serving suggestions: Salt, roast, and eat plain; toss in salads.

20. Coffee
The old cup-o-joe has been thrown on the stands for many a corporeal crime—heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis—but exonerated on all counts. In fact, coffee, which is derived from a bean, contains beneficial antioxidants that protect against free radicals and may actually help thwart heart disease and cancer. While it’s not going to fill you up like the other items on this list, it might make you a lot perkier. When made at home, coffee runs less than 50 cents a cup.

Healthy Article by Brie Cadman
Source link: www.divinecaroline.com

Can We Be Happy Without Money?

As a child, I learned what it was like to live on a budget. You know, using coupons, taking vacations rarely, hardly seeing your parents because they were working 9 am to 5pm for someone, other than themselves. If you have ever been in a situation similar to the one I have described then you know that money can, will, and does help. However, there is a fine line when it comes to money and happiness.

When you have known what it like to live a life with a limited or strict supply of money you know how much stress it can add to your life and those you love. When your child’s birthday is coming up, and you want to give them the experience of having a “bowling birthday party” (for example) but you know that it was way out of the families budget how do you feel? It is not to say that you are a bad parent because you cannot provide, but you must be able to explain this to your child accordingly. Make sure you still plan something fun, yet thrifty so they have a memorable birthday. On the other hand, wouldn’t it be nice to not have to worry about finances at that moment? The stress that spending money we don’t necessarily have places on our bodies is enough to have worry over.

There is a difference between having money to spend wisely, and having money to spend on items to compensate for other areas that may be lacking in your life. If you are the type of shopper who likes to go to the department store with only one item in mind, yet leave with 20 items you did not plan for, then this is the opposite of why we need to be financially sound. Buying unnecessary items that you did not plan for does not bring happiness. I will repeat this because this is the most important sentence of this blog post; buying unnecessary items that you did not plan for does not bring happiness. 9 times out of 10 we will leave with 20 items instead of 1 simply because we do not have the money. Yes, it is true that more affluent persons will not spend their money as a person who is limited. There is a certain sense of knowing we should not spend or cannot spend that makes someone who is struggling financially spend even more. We do not want to feel or appear as if we cannot have something we want. A person who is living comfortably rich does not have this same need to feel adequate to others. A person who is living a completely rich lifestyle (being physically healthy, mentally sound, financially stable, eating properly, and reducing stress when applicable) has an even easier time of handling spending habits.

On the other hand it is easier to live a life where money is substantial for situations like the following: being able to buy your child the book they want from the bookstore without thinking twice, why? because reading will only help a child grow, and because there can never be too many books on the shelf as long as they are all being read!, being able to go for a massage when the pressure is really “on” in your life, why? because without managing stress by unwinding however suitable for you, you will eventually crash and not be able to work as you would like to, being able to send yourself back to school or being able to put your child through college with ease is something every parent should feel they have the ability to do. These are just a few of the reasons why we do need money. As long as we are putting our financial energy into places that have a deeper value than material items then we know we are not compensating for something that is lacking from our lives. We are taking stress out of our lives by earning a comfortable salary. Although salary may not be enough, there are many places to invest the salary we do earn. Places like real estate, affiliate programs, internet marketing, and much more are places that can help us earn a stable income and lead a completely rich lifestyle.

Article by Sara Dawn
Health Coordinator @ NYW
Nutrition Specialist

Source link: nurtureyourwealth.com

Managing Stress for People with Heart Failure

Think about the times in your life when you've felt stress: maybe while giving a presentation at work, worrying about your children, racing to meet a deadline or arguing with your spouse. Remember how your heart was pounding and you were breathing harder?

People with heart failure need to avoid that kind of physical response to stress. Emotional stress and anxiety make the heart work harder, which can make symptoms worse. That's why patients and their caregivers should work together to keep stress under control.


Naturally, you may feel anxious about your diagnosis and what might happen to you or your family. And everyone has certain stress-causing "triggers" — things such as rush-hour traffic, a demanding boss, finances or family conflict. You may not be able to control all of these challenges, but there are many ways to cope with them better.
• Talk with family, friends, clergy or other trusted advisers about your concerns and stresses and ask for their support.
• Take 15 to 20 minutes a day to sit quietly, breathe deeply and think of a peaceful scene.
• Learn to accept things you can't change. You don't have to solve all of life's problems.
• Count to 10 before answering or responding when you feel angry.
• Don't use smoking, drinking, overeating, drugs or caffeine to cope with stress. These habit make your condition worse.
• Look for the good in situations instead of the bad.
• Get regular physical activity. Do something you enjoy, like walking, swimming, jogging, golfing, walking a pet, tai chi or cycling. Check with your doctor to determine what activity level is right for you.
• Think ahead about what may upset you and try to avoid it. For example, spend less time with people who bother you. If you're still working or volunteering, cut back on your hours and adjust your schedule to avoid driving in rush-hour traffic.
• Plan productive solutions to problems. For example, talk with your neighbor if the dog next door bothers you. Set clear limits on how much you'll do for family members.
• Learn to say no. Don't promise too much. Give yourself enough time to get things done.
• Join a support group – maybe for people with heart disease, for women, for men, for retired persons, or some other group with which you identify.
• Seek out a mental health professional or counselor if you can't cope on your own. Helping people is their specialty. Ask your doctor, family or friends for recommendations. If they can't help, ask your spiritual leader or a hospital social worker for some names.

Source link: www.americanheart.org

11 Easy Ways to Manage Anger

The first step in being able to learn effective anger management techniques is to recognize the situations that make you angry and your body's warning signs of anger.


List things that can trigger your anger
Make a list of the things that often set off your anger (for example, running late for work and getting stuck in a traffic jam, your teenager leaving not helping out around the house or a co-worker blaming you for something you didn't do). If you know ahead of time what makes you angry, you may be able to avoid these things or do something different when they happen.

Pay attention to the warning signs of anger in your body
Notice the things that happen to your body that tell you when you are getting angry (for example, a pounding heart, flushed face, sweating, tense jaw, tightness in your chest or gritting your teeth).The earlier you can recognize these warning signs of anger, the more successful you will probably be at calming yourself down before your anger gets out of control.


Find anger management techniques that work for you
There are a number of different ways of managing anger and some strategies will suit you better than others. Here's some simple ways to put an end to the vicious cycle of stress that anger can bring:

Control your thinking
When you're angry, your thinking can get exaggerated and irrational. Try replacing these kinds of thoughts with more useful, rational ones and you should find that this has an affect on the way you feel. For example, instead of telling yourself "I can't stand it, it's awful and everything's ruined," tell yourself "It's frustrating, and it's understandable that I'm upset about it, but it's not the end of the world and getting angry is not going to fix it." Psychologists call this type of thinking "self talk."
Develop a list of things to say to yourself before, during and after situations in which you may get angry. It is more helpful if these things focus on how you are managing the situation rather than what other people should be doing.
Before:
"I'll be able to handle this. It could be rough, but I have a plan."
"If I feel myself getting angry, I'll know what to do."
During:
"Stay calm, relax, and breathe easy."
"Stay calm, I'm okay, s/he's not attacking me personally."
"I can look and act calm."
After:
"I managed that well. I can do this. I'm getting better at this."
"I felt angry, but I didn't lose my cool."

Take time out
If you feel your anger getting out of control, take time out from a situation or an argument. Try stepping outside the room, or going for a walk. Before you go, remember to make a time to talk about the situation later when everyone involved has calmed down. During time out, plan how you are going to stay calm when your conversation resumes.

Use distraction
A familiar strategy for managing anger is to distract your mind from the situation that is making you angry. Try counting to ten, playing soothing music, talking to a good friend, or focusing on a simple task like polishing the car, doing the dishes, folding laundry or walking the dog.

Use relaxation techniques
Relaxation strategies can reduce the feelings of tension and stress in your body. Practice strategies such as taking long deep breaths and focusing on your breathing, or progressively working around your body and relaxing your muscles as you go.

Learn assertiveness skills
Assertiveness skills can be learnt through self-help books or by attending courses. These skills ensure that anger is channelled and expressed in clear and respectful ways. Being assertive means being clear with others about what your needs and wants are, feeling okay about asking for them, but respecting the other person's needs and concerns as well and being prepared to negotiate.
Avoid using words like "never" or "always" (for example, "You're always late!"), as these statements are usually inaccurate, make you feel as though your anger is justified, and don't leave much possibility for the problem to be solved.

Try to acknowledge what is making you angry
Acknowledge that a particular issue has made you angry by admitting it to yourself and others. Telling someone that you felt angry when they did or said something is more helpful than just acting out the anger.
Make sure you think about who you express your anger to, and take care that you aren't just dumping your anger on the people closest to you, or on people who are less powerful than you. For example, don't yell at your partner, children, or dog when you are really angry with your boss.
Sometimes it can help to write things down. What is happening in your life? How do you feel about the things that are happening? Writing about these topics can sometimes help give you some distance and perspective and help you understand your feelings. Work out some options for changing your situation.

Rehearsing anger management techniques
Use your imagination to practice anger management strategies. Imagine yourself in a situation that usually sets off your anger. Imagine how you could behave in that situation without getting angry. Think about a situation where you did get angry. Replay the situation in your mind and imagine resolving the situation without anger.
Try rehearsing some anger management strategies with a friend. Ask them to help you act out a situation where you get angry, so that you can practice other ways to think and behave. Practice saying things in an assertive way.

Article by Michael_Atma

Choose A Happier Life

Choosing things comes pretty naturally to us humans. I can choose chocolate ice cream over strawberry any day, and choose blues over browns without hesitation.

But can we really just simply choose a happier life? If you mean a life that’s simpler, less stressful, and more meaningful, then yes, I believe that we can make those choices.

Life is usually what we make it. And while there are things that none of us can control -- rainy weather, sky high gas prices, cranky bosses, nosy mother-in-laws -- there are many things that you are in charge of. These are the things that help you lead a happier life.


Choose Consciously Make an effort to decide that YOU choose how to spend your time, money, energy, and spirit. As long as you accept the consequences, and make the choice with your eyes open, you’ll feel more in control. Consciously choosing your TV time, or surfing time, is a lot different than just realizing you spent 4 hours clicking channels.

Set Priorities If the annoyances of life are living your life for you, you’re never going to win the foot-race of life. You’ll simply run out of time, devoting it to things that you chose in the moment, instead of what you really wanted the most. Don’t put what you want right now above what you really want in the long run.

Nurture It: Protect It What you focus on in your life will flourish. If you focus on problems, lack, hatred, guilt, and self doubt, that’s what you’ll find growing in your garden of life. Instead plant seeds of change, conviction, courage, and choice. No, it’s not just about thinking positive thoughts -- but it’s a heck of a good place to start!

Be Consistent Anything that you do consistently, day after day, week after week, adds up. Good results or bad results are the product of repeating the same behavior over and over. If you consistently save, you’ll have money in the bank; if you consistently over-spend, you’ll be in debt. Choose what you want, and take one small step, consistently day after day, and see what happens.

Stop Reading, Start Doing We live in an amazing world of information. Most people have access to more choices and information than they’ve ever had. Even our children are faced with decisions based on their broader ability to receive information. But. information without action is useless. Put the information you already have to work in your life.

Stop Analyzing, Start Living A lot of psycho-babble teaches us that we need to know the “why” about our behavior before we can address it. And the “why” can sometimes help correct a problem, or give you motivation for action. But most of what we all do on a daily basis is not the product of some deep dark psychological reason. It’s habit. Change your habits, and you’ll change your life. Change your attitude and you’ll change your life. Change your environment and you’ll change your life.

Ask For What You Want It’s time to stop expecting other people to read your mind. Think about how frustrating it is for you when someone expects you to know what they are thinking. It’s just a set up for failure. Be willing to ask concisely, pleasantly, and honestly for what you want and need in your life.

Article by Kathy Gates

Timeless Ways to Live a Happier Life

How we achieve happiness can be different for each one of us. Our passions, expectations, life experiences, and even our personalities all contribute to the level of happiness we experience in our lives. Some find happiness in their careers while others prefer the bliss found in their marriages or other intimate relationship.
No matter how you define happiness for yourself, there are certain universal and time-proven strategies to bring, and sustain, more happiness into your life. The following 14 ways to live a happy life can be adapted and even customized to fit your needs. Over time, these strategies will become positive and life-changing habits that will begin to bring more happiness, joy and peace into your life.


1. Notice What’s Right
Some of us see the glass as being half-full, while others see the glass as half-empty. The next time you are caught in traffic, begin thinking how nice it is to have a few moments to reflect on the day, focus on a problem you have been trying to solve, or brainstorm on your next big idea. The next time you get in the slow line at the grocery store, take the opportunity to pick up a tabloid magazine and do some “guilty pleasure” reading. Take all that life throws out you and reframe it with what’s right about the situation. At the end of the day, you will more content, at peace and happy. Take the time to begin to notice what’s right and see the world change in front of your eyes.

2. Be Grateful
How many times do you say the words “thank you,” in a day? How many times do you hear these same words? If you are doing the first thing, saying the “thank yous,” the latter will naturally happen. Learn to be grateful and you will be open to receive an abundance of joy and happiness.

3. Remember the Kid You Were
Do you remember how to play? I’m not referring to playing a round of golf or a set of tennis. I’m talking about playing like you did when you were a child – a game of tag; leap frog, or street baseball when the bat is a broken broom handle and the bases are the parked cars. One way to find or maintain your happiness is to remember the kid you were and play!

4. Be Kind
There is no question that by merely watching acts of kindness creates a significant elevation in our moods and increases the desire for us to perform good deeds as well. Kindness is indeed contagious and when we make a commitment to be kind to ourselves and to others we can experience new heights of joy, happiness and enthusiasm for our lives.

5. Spend Time with Your Friends
Although an abundant social and romantic life does not itself guarantee joy, it does have a huge impact on our happiness. Learn to spend time with your friends and make the friendships a priority in your life.

6. Savor Every Moment
To be in the moment is to live in the moment. Too often we are thinking ahead or looking ahead to the next event or circumstance in our lives, not appreciating the “here and now.” When we savor every moment, we are savoring the happiness in our lives.

7. Rest
There are times when we need the time to unwind, decompress, or to put it simply, just “to chill.” Life comes at all of us hard and fast. Time, as do the days on the calendar, keeps going forward at its own natural pace, which is not always the pace we would choose. Fatigue, stress and exhaustion may begin to settle in on us faster than we may think, or notice. The best remedy for this is indeed rest.

8. Move!
The expression a “runner’s high” does not infer an addiction, but a feeling or a state of mind – a state of euphoria. There is no question exercise, or any physical exertion, elevates your mood and enhances a more positive attitude as well as fosters better personal self-esteem and confidence. Indeed, one way to increase your happiness is to move!

9. Put on a Happy Face
Sometimes we have to fake it until we make it. I’m not suggesting that we not be honest, real or authentic, but I’m suggesting, sometimes, we just need to put on a happy face and keep moving forward. Researchers claim that smiling and looking like we are happy will indeed make us happier. Studies further show that if we act like we are happy then we can experience greater joy and happiness in our lives.

10. Pursue Your Goals
The absence of goals in our lives, or more specifically avoiding to pursue our goals, makes us feel like we are stuck and ineffective. The pursuit of goals in our personal lives, in our relationships, or with our careers, is the difference between having a mediocre life or a life full of passion and enthusiasm. pursue your goals and watch your happiness soar.

11. Finding Your Calling
Some find meaning in religion or spirituality while others find purpose in their work or relationships. Finding your calling may be much more than accomplishing one simple strategy for increasing your happiness, but having a sense of purpose – of feeling like you are here for a reason – can perhaps bring the greatest joy of all

12. Get into the Flow
Flow is the form of joy, excitement and happiness that occurs when we are so absorbed in an activity we love that we can loose ourselves and time seems to stand still. What creates flow is unique to each one of us. To find and sustain true happiness in our lives, we must get off the sidelines and get into the flow.

13. Play to Your Strengths
One way to achieve flow is by understanding and identifying our strengths and core values, and then begin to use these every day. Once we aware of our strengths and we begin to play to your strengths we can better incorporate them in all aspects of our lives.

14. Don’t Overdo It
Know when to say when. What gives you joy and happiness the first time may not work the second time. Too much of a good thing may begin not to feel as good if the “thing” becomes more of a routine, or an expectation. Set healthy and reasonable boundaries for yourself and don’t overdo it.

Article by Alex Blackwell