How to Find More Joy in Your Daily Life

You get up tired and groggy, get yourself family and pets up and fed for the morning, then off to work you go. At work you are constantly assaulted with the wants and needs of others without a moment for pause or rest. Then after your busy day you rush home and are in a frenzy of cleaning and cooking only to find yourself non-stop until it is suddenly bed time. Something many people can agree on is how the daily grind can deplete not only your energy but also your Joy. So how can we find more Joy everyday? Just start adding one or more things from the list below and see how your Joy shifts.

• Gratitude: Start a gratitude journal either first thing in the morning, or right before you go to bed at night and write about anything big or small that you are grateful for. This can be however many you would like to do. Personally I like to write down 5 things I am grateful for.
• Being Thankful: This can run along the lines of gratitude. It however, can also be useful by allowing you to pause throughout your day at different points when maybe your energy is low and think of something you are Thankful for. Once when paying for parking and finding out it isn't going to give me back change for a $20 I said "If this is the worst thing that happens to me today then I am very lucky!"
• Do something nice for Someone else: Letting another car squeeze in front of yours, opening the door for someone, paying a co-worker a nice complement can go a long way for giving positive energy out to others which will attract positive energy to yourself in return!
• Finding laughter: From watching a half hour comedy show at the end of your day, to finding things to laugh about to yourself or with others can really lift your spirit and make you smile! Laughing is one of the most therapeutic things that is within our control. So turn your frown upside down and find something funny to laugh about! 
• Spend time with animals or in nature: playing with a pet or visiting a petting zoo can help you reconnect with nature and share unconditional love. Being outside in nature even if it is a short walk, sitting on your porch, or going for a hike or bike ride can really help you find Joy and Happiness.
• Give someone a big Hug: Sometimes giving someone a hug can also help bring Joy! Especially when that person may not think they want one (like my 16 year old son Trevor). Hugging someone can also give them a moment of connection that they didn't know they needed. Sharing this physical contact gives as much or more Joy as you will receive!

     I hope the tips I have shared above help you find little ways to incorporate more Joy into your life on a daily basis!  

Hugs and lots of Laughs,

Tina