"You have the freedom, ability, and authority to love your life. Just be you, then wait".
~Gangaji
Joy
Noun
The feeling of great pleasure and happiness
Verb
To rejoice
Creating space for the things we love is key to overall health, happiness and wellness.
Having, creating and acknowledging space are essential for our wellbeing. We often focus so much on completing our to do lists, that we often forget to just simply be.
Joy is a wonderful, childlike feeling that has profound effects on the body from boosting the immune system and fighting stress and pain to supporting longevity.
We feel joy in our bodies because through a release of dopamine and serotonin, two types of neurotransmitters in the brain.
It arises when we are truly present in the moment, doing the things that we truly love to do, just because we want to.
Creating Space for Joy
- Say no without guilt
- Unplug often
We are so connected to our phones and each-other through technology, that we often don't realise just how much we are conditioned to respond immediately to every alert of our phone. Take time in the morning before you look at your phone, so your brain can produce its own thoughts and not respond to stimulus. Set a couple of hours each day, completely tech or phone free.
- Schedule in space
- Be completely present
- Respect the gift of time
- De-clutter
- Create a stop doing list
- Savour the tiny joys
The small things are after all, in the end, the big things.
- Spend time in nature
Time outdoors and in nature can reduce brain activity in the prefrontal cortex, the part of our brain that we use when we’re worrying. Spending as little as 20 minutes outside every day can be a game changer when it comes to feeling more joy in life, especially if these nature experiences are a regular part of our routine. Take the dog for a walk, spread a blanket out in the garden and read a book, or embrace anything that makes you feel great and alive outside!
- Take care of your body and your mind
Taking care of our bodies is an important way to find and feel joy in our lives. Nourishing foods can optimise our energy levels, make our cells happy and promote that feel good factor as a direct result of the body getting all of the nutrients it needs to be the best, healthiest and happiest her!
- Set balanced boundaries
Your time is important and people don't get access to your time by default. Time from others and to others is a gift and not an entitlement. Take time for the people that you love and spend your time how you want to spend it, not how others want you to spend it.
- Know where work ends and home begins
This is especially important in todays climate, when so much is happening under one roof as a result of lockdown. Kids at home, partners at home, working from home.
A great tip is to set a time where work ends and home time becomes just that. Use a dedicated room for work and a space for passion and creativity to flow and tasks to be completed. close the door on it at the end of the day.
- Have fun, be silly and play.
- Embrace your passions: crafts, arts, books, writing sports and play.
