Tag: Be Happy
How To Incorporate Yoga Into Your Daily Life.
Yoga can change your life. It has been around for thousands of years, but only now have we discovered the benefits of practising yoga on a regular basis. We often use the excuse that we are ‘too busy’ to find the time for yoga in our daily lives but yoga is so much more than just asana (practising yoga positions and postures).
One of the common misconceptions about yoga is that in order to ‘do’ yoga, you have to go to an hour and a half long class at a studio. But that’s far from the truth. There are so many ways you can incorporate yoga into your daily life, whether it be living in the moment, focusing on your breath or stretching on your lunch break at work, make time for yoga and you will soon see the amazing benefits that everyone has been talking about.
Here are a few ways you can make yoga a part of your life every day:
Practice Mindfulness
If there is one main thing yoga teaches you, it is to live in the present moment. Every moment you spend on the mat, you are learning to be more patient, compassionate, dedicated and kind. To take those lessons you learn and incorporate them into your daily life, you need to learn to be mindful. It isn’t as difficult as it sounds, honest. Learn to step back and appreciate the smallest moments of your life, become aware of how your mind works, be concious of all of your actions in different situations and work towards being the best version of yourself.
Breathe
Most of us don’t pay attention to our breathing pattern. Having a shallow breath can cause anxiety and stress and trigger other physical sensations in the body and many of us are unconsciously breathing this way. Find time in the day to try a few full, deep and mindful breaths. Start by breathing in through your nose, making sure you breathe from your diaphragm, not your chest. Count to four, hold for seven and breathe out slowly for eight. Being in tune with your breath is essential for yoga practice. Pranayama is a type of yogic breath awareness and regulation exercise designed to help control one’s vital energy. Notice how calm and centred you feel after just a few mindful breaths.
Go Outside
Spending more time outside will allow you to connect with everything around you. The word ‘yoga’ means union. Nature will teach you everything you need to know about learning to let go and appreciate what is around you. In modern life, it can be difficult to disconnect and truly be. If you feel you have lost the deep connection between you and the earth, step outside, breathe and observe everything around you. You can do some yoga outside if you find the perfect spot, or you can do yoga inside and have the curtains open so the sun can shine in.
Practice Five-Minute Meditation Every Day
The word ‘meditation’ can often fill people with dread, they will say that they ‘can’t meditate.’ It’s hard to still the mind and it takes a lot of practice. Start by spending five minutes each day in silence. You don’t have sit in any unusual pose, you don’t even have to close your eyes. Just focus on your breath and try to silence your mind for five minutes each day, preferably in the morning. Once you feel comfortable doing five minutes each day, slowly increase it and let all of your troubles melt around you.
Stretch It Out
The great thing about stretching is you can do it anywhere! Don’t think that the yoga mat is the only place you can practice. Try stretching on your lunch break at work, do a few twists in your office chair. Start the morning off by doing a quick full body stretch before you get in the shower. By doing a simple back arch, you can stretch tired muscles and eliminate physical and mental fatigue.
Spend Money On Experiences Not Things.
Credit: High On Life/Youtube.
Love Is Composed Of A Single Soul Inhabiting Two Bodies.
Self-Love On Valentine’s Day.
The idea behind Valentine’s Day, a day to celebrate love, is actually really nice. Yet it seems like in modern day society it has just turned into a day for couples to throw their love in everybody’s faces all over social media, for brands and companies to sell specialised gifts, and for people who are single to feel especially bad about themselves. It really shouldn’t be that way, because couples who love each other should tell each other all the time and Valentine’s Day shouldn’t even be such a big deal. But it is hard not to feel lonely when all you have thrust upon you is other people professing their love for one another and talking about romantic getaways, and it doesn’t help when you’re binge-watching TV and all the adverts are about buying something special for the Valentine that you do not have.
This year I am just hanging out with my friends and ordering a pizza (coincidentally the most romantic thing I’ve ever done on Valentine’s Day was attempt to make a pizza in the shape of a heart which ended up looking more like a blob, because I truly associate pizza and love). Because if Valentine’s Day is all about showing your love for someone, why can’t that someone be your friends or family or (most importantly) yourself?
If you’re super in love with your friends and hang out with them all the time and they’re basically like your significant other then why not spend Valentine’s Day with them? You can still literally ‘Netflix and chill’ the night away, order your favourite food, drink wine and talk about how much you love each other. If you’re really dedicated to the Friend-Valentine’s idea you could even get each other cards and little gifts, or buy a bunch of heart shaped chocolates and devour them together. You can even go out to a restaurant and have dinner, or plan another fun date activity – you can have just as much fun and maybe even more doing these things in a friendship group!
A day to express all kinds of love is also a wonderful time to show yourself some love. Instead of wishing that you had somebody to buy you something special, why not think of what you’d want to receive from someone else and buy it for yourself? It might not be exactly the same but having something that you want is always going to make you happy. You can make your favourite food, buy a yummy dessert, watch your favourite film and have a pamper day and treat yourself to all your favourite things. This is also the time to throw some compliments at yourself and remind yourself that you’re a fabulous person and that not having a significant other does not define your self-worth and won’t seem like such a big deal once this day is over. Remind yourself of all the things that are actually amazing about your life and that you are grateful for, because having a significant other isn’t the only thing that’s going to fulfil your life. Love comes in lots of forms, so not having a partner does not mean you are unloved – your friends, family and yourself all love you loads and that’s just as important!
If you know it’s going to make you feel bad, maybe avoid all social media for that day – I know it’s hard to resists the temptation and switch it off, but it’s good to avoid anything that will make you feel negative about yourself. Instead make sure you use up all that social media stalking on a different day.
Words by Ally Mclaren
Life Is Short, Live Bold! Be Heard, Be You, Dream Big, Take Risks, Don’t Wait.
Don’t Aim For Success If You Want It; Just Do What You Love And Believe In And It Will Come Naturally.
Motivational Video – Self-Talk.
Credit: George Doumanian/Youtube.
Positivity Playlists.
We all know that music can make a mood. This is why there are breakup playlists for when you need to cry and let all your emotional anguish out, by singing along to words that seem to apply perfectly to your situation and capture your utter heartbreak in a way you thought no one understood.
This is why sleep playlists are composed of peaceful melodies to calm and soothe. This is why I listen to old school R&B whilst getting ready for the club (there is no better time to feel sassy), and this is why there should be positivity playlists. In the same way that some songs remind you of sadness, there are a million more that can make you deliriously happy. Whether it is the lyrics, the beat, or just the way you can dance to it – the right song can put you in an amazing mood.
As I am walking to work at 8.30 on a Saturday morning, dreading the busy day ahead and becoming increasingly jealous of people who are nursing hangovers and watching TV in their pyjamas, the only thing that can cheer me up are the songs I listen to on the way there.
It’s only a short 15 minute walk, but that means I can plan around 3 songs to listen to that I know will start my day off just right. It is fair to say that I am the opposite of a morning person, and so a really upbeat song can provide me with energy that I didn’t have before. Then as the end of the day drags on, I can actually look forward to the walk home and celebrate with those joyous songs that I am free for Saturday night (this is usually when the R&B kicks in).
Travelling to work is just an example of when these positive songs are needed; you cannot work out to sad music in the gym, you need something that makes you feel happy and alive and energetic. Being on a road trip or a long car ride is the perfect time to liven up the trip with some of your favourite songs, and will create long-lasting memories associated with the music.
Listening to happy songs when you are with others will make everybody’s energy positive and will bring people closer together – even better when everybody knows the words and harmoniously sings along. If you need your music to take an inspirational turn, such as before an interview or a date, listening to songs about empowerment and confidence will make you feel like you can do anything, even after the last line of lyrics has finished (this is of course when I turn to Beyoncé ).
Music is an easy way to achieve daily happiness, without any effort put in you can be feeling extremely positive in just a matter of minutes. So grab your iPod, or go on your Spotify, and create a playlist of all the songs that make you feel good. So next time you’re tired and irritable, you have to hit the gym, or somebody has eaten the last of the Doritos that you were saving for yourself (how dare they), just immerse yourself in some funky positive vibes and forget about your troubles.
Words by Ally Mclaren
We Must Take Care Of Our Families Wherever We Find Them.
Strength And Growth Come Only Through Continuous Effort And Struggle.
The Keeper Of Dreams.
Credit: Your World Within/Youtube.
40 Things To Be Grateful For.
How often do you pause to appreciate what you have in life?
We spend so much time racing through life that we don’t always appreciate the small and beautiful things that make us happy. There are many simple pleasures that we take for granted. Being thankful for what we already have can significantly increase wellbeing and life satisfaction.
It’s easy to feel bad when you are going through a tough time in life but no matter how bad your situation may seem, there is always something to be grateful for. People who regularly express gratitude, experience more positive emotions, sleep better, have more empathy and have higher self-esteem.
Take note of the rare moments throughout the day that you smile, whether it’s the first cup of tea when you get home from work, a hot bath or a chance to read your favourite book over and over again, love all of the little moments in life that make you happy.
Here are 40 things to be grateful for:
1. Life – Life is a gift. Having the chance to experience being alive is not something we should take for granted.
2. Health – Having the ability to live life with good health is not an option we all have.
3. Family – No matter what, having a family that love and care for you is a blessing.
4. Love – Life would not be the same without love.
5. Friends – Life is better with a few close friends by your side.
6. Freedom – Being able to life your life peacefully is not something many people ever experience.
7. Choices – Today you have so many choices, be grateful for the amount of luxuries you have in your life.
8. Animals – Animals add to the diversity of life and bring us so much joy.
9. Education – It is a fundamental human right to have access to an education but unfortunately, not everybody in the world has this right. Be thankful that you are educated and know how to communicate, read and write.
10. Food – Having enough food to eat is a blessing in itself, having a variety of food to choose from makes you very fortunate.
11. Breathing – Be thankful and pay attention to your breath, go outside, breathe in the fresh air.
12. Books – There is nothing better than finding a book you love, it’s amazing how words on paper can bring so much to joy to so many people.
13. Time – None of us know how long we have on this planet to live our lives but wake up each morning and be thankful for another day, another chance to make your dreams come true. Time may not be infinite but you can certainly experience an infinity in your lifetime.
14. Laughter – Have you ever laughed so much that your stomach hurts? It’s a great feeling to laugh. Sometimes we take life too seriously and forget to have fun, laugh, play and love, like we did when we were children.
16. Clean Water – It’s extremely unfair that every single person in the world doesn’t have this right. We turn on the tap and have an endless flow of clean water that we can drink and bathe in. Never take clean water for granted, it is essential to our lives.
17. Sunshine – When the sun shines in the sky, the day takes on a whole new level of positivity. Be thankful for the sun that keeps us warm and brightens up the darkest of days.
18. Art – Life would be nothing without it. As human beings, we have the freedom to express our true emotions through different mediums of art, music and performance.
19. Technology – Love it or hate it, the technology that we have created makes our lives much easier. We have a whole world accessible to use through a handheld device, how amazing is that?
20. Holidays – Having the chance to go on holiday and travel to different places is a privilege that we don’t all have. Some people save up for years before they can afford a break away from their ordinary lives.
21. Singing – Even if you can’t sing in tune, sing in the shower, hum your favourite song and enjoy yourself.
22. Rainbows – One of life’s most beautiful and natural phenomenons, the rainbow represents hope.
24. Electricity – It hasn’t always been around but electricity is a crucial part of our modern lives.
25. Hugs – A natural anti-depressant, hugging someone is the perfect thing to do when you feel sad about the world. Be grateful for every single person in your life that you can hug.
26. Trees – They make life possible.
27. Jobs – They give us purpose, without jobs there would be no value to the world. It might not be a dream job that you are currently in, but you are earning money to live life each day.
28. Home – Having a home is a blessing. Knowing that you always have somewhere you can be safe and warm is something you should not take for granted.
29. Music – It has the power to change your mood, uplift you, move you, excite you. Appreciate the artists who make the music you love listening to. Life just wouldn’t be the same without your own personal soundtrack.
30. Senses – If you are fortunate enough to have all five senses, observe how amazing it is to see the colours of life, hear the voices of your loved ones, feel the breeze of the wind, taste sweet and savoury foods and smell beautiful flowers.
31. Snow – There is something beautiful about snow, the way it falls, how each individual snowflake has its own pattern, how untouched snow looks like an image from a postcard.
32. Clothes – Having clothes is a privilege, having a choice of clothes is a luxury many don’t have. Next time you think about the new designer jeans you have to have, think about where your clothes came from, how fortunate you are to have that choice in your life.
33. Transport – You can go anywhere in the world by travelling on an airplane, boat, bus or train. How amazing is that?
34. Nature – Thank Mother Nature for this beautiful world that we live in.
35. Films – To visually see stories unfold before our very eyes is amazing, there are so many films to watch and there is always another film being made to entertain us.
36. Children – They see the world through new eyes, explore every new opportunity with optimism and wonder. Children are fascinating to watch, we really should pay attention to them more and copy their ability to see the world in a positive way.
37. Dreams – Be grateful for the dreams you have achieved and the ones you haven’t. Having ambition to make something of your life is inspiring. Make the most of every day and dream big, you never know what will happen.
38. Stars – Look up at the night sky and admire the stars. It’s a breathtaking view of an endless universe, you are just a speck of dust in the galaxy. It really puts everything into perspective.
39. Words – To be able to communicate and express yourself with words is incredible. Be thankful that you are educated, that you are able to talk and connect with the world.
40. Memories – It’s a beautiful thing that we are able to playback moments of our lives in our mind. We can smell something familiar or hear a song and be transported back to a different time.
January Editor’s Note: The First Issue Of Zest For Life!
Dear followers,
I am so incredibly excited to finally be releasing the first issue of Zest For Life. I want to thank all of our followers for their kind words and dedication, you can now download the winter issue straight to your laptop, tablet and phone. Click on the front cover above and enjoy a sixty page positive lifestyle magazine with articles on Travel, Lifestyle, Health & Wellbeing. Read your spring horoscopes for 2016, be inspired by Zest For Life’s favourite quotations and try out two of our favourite breakfast recipes.
If there is one thing I have learnt from this experience it’s this – never give up on something that you want to do. There were so many moments that I wanted to give up on this project but my passion for creating something positive for everyone to enjoy pushed me to finish it. I want to thank everyone who has supported Zest For Life and I really hope that you enjoy reading the first issue and pass it on to your family and friends.
Live For Today
Editor
December 2015: Editor’s Note.
Dear followers,
The days might be long and dark but the positive energy of Christmas is growing stronger as we get closer to the 25th. There is something about Christmas that sparks a light inside of us. It’s a time to celebrate family, love and kindness. The commercialism of Christmas often overwhelms us, we get caught up in Christmas rush, stressing about buying the best presents, organising who will visit who on what day and worrying if we have enough food to feed the family.
The true meaning of Christmas is different for every individual, but to me, Christmas is a time to indulge, relax, be around the people I love and reflect on the year that has passed. Christmas is a special time of year, a time to live in the moment and count your blessings. Gifts are a great way to show your appreciation but Christmas is not a competition to see how many gadgets you can fit inside a stocking or a chance to share pictures on social media of your big pile of presents, Christmas is so much more than that.
Why not create some space in your life this Christmas for gratitude? It’s easy to get caught up in the expectations of what Christmas should be, however, it can be a lonely and emotional time for many people. Think about your elderly neighbour eating their Christmas dinner alone or the millions of homeless people who won’t experience the joy of Christmas this year. When we think of those less fortunate than ourselves, we start to appreciate everything we already have, which is a crucial part of the journey to happiness.
The new year is round the corner and the long list of resolutions will soon be created. Instead of making the same resolution that you make every year – to lose weight, quit smoking or join a gym, why not add a simple, yet achievable one to the list, ‘be more grateful.’ Focus on everything good in your life and be happy. Take life one day at a time and truly love every moment.
Thank you for following us and supporting our message to inspire others with our positive message.
Zest For Life wishes you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Live For Today
Editor
In Order To Carry A Positive Action We Must Develop Here A Positive View.
New Life.
Credit: Be Inspired/Youtube
My Life Is My Message.
Blind Man Creates Beautiful Art.
Credit: HLN/Youtube
Be Extraordinary.
Credit: RedFrost Motivation/Youtube
Zest For Life 