Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Ways to Make Yourself Happier

The idea is to try to do as many of them as you can in an hour.

1. Boost your energy by getting up and moving around. Taking a brisk ten-minute walk is best, because when you are moving faster, your metabolism speeds up and the activity is good for your focus and mood and helps you retain information.

** If you have Chronic Fatigue you may not be able to take a brisk ten-minute walk. Try stretching daily and slowly try walking pacing yourself. I realize some of us cannot walk at all.

Try visualization. Our minds are powerful, give it a try.


2. Reach out to friends. Arrange a lunch date or send an email to someone you haven't seen for a while. Socializing boosts moods and having close bonds with others is one of the keys to happiness.

3. Get an old task out of the way. If you've been procrastinating about a chore, tackle it now. Like making that doctor or dental appointment, or arranging to get broken equipment fixed. You'll feel a sense of relief and a burst of energy.

4. Create a calmer environment. Just clearing some space around you, or getting things in order will give you a sense of serenity.

5. Plan some future fun. Decide to get to that new movie, or order a book you've been wanting to read, or plan an activity with friends or family. Having fun on a regular basis is necessary to happiness, and anticipation is a part of that.

6. Do a good deed. Something as simple as holding a door for someone or offering praise can help, because the adage "do good, feel good" really works.

7. Act happy. Smile! Just going through the motion of happiness lifts your spirits and makes you more approachable.

So, why not give it a try – and get happy! I understand those people that are chronically ill cannot do all seven things.....but we can do some of these things that do not take a lot of effort.

I hope and pray that this post has helped someone today. Praying for a fatigue and pain free day.

Fibro Viv

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like the intention behind your article about what one might do to help one's self be happy. However, people with CFIDS often find that if they try to do vigorous exercise that requires standing, they crash because of orthostatic intolerance. Dr. Nancy Kline, a leading CFIDS researcher, stated at a conference in Salt Lake City three years ago that people with CFIDS should walk for 5 minutes and then rest for 5 minutes, then walk for 5 minutes, then rest for 5 minutes, etc., because that did not cause them to crash.

Dr. Lucinda Bateman also recommends that people with CFIDS who have orthostatic intolerance do well with water exercises or recumbant exercises.

Best wishes,

Donna Mirabile
donna underscore mirabile at yahoo dot com.

Fibro Viv said...

Donna,

Thank you for reminding me about our fatigue and how some of us cannot exercise. Personally, I stretch daily and walk very little. I try walking around my living room a few minutes and then rest. That is the extent of my walking aside from having to go to the doctors office and not finding a parking space close to the door.

That was a great catch! Again thank you for reminding me of that. Sometimes I get carried away and do not think clearly...Fibro Fog..LOL

Have a blessed day.

Fibro Viv said...

Dear Donna,

I am sorry for not replying to your comment sooner. I had not noticed a comment was posted. I am happy to see someone reply to my postings. I will change my settings to let people comment without me moderating them. Thanks for helping me catch that one too!

Fibro Viv

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the tips. I am very fatigue but find that if I at least stretch it helps my pain. I do not want a blood clot and if we do not maintain circulation, we can cause more medical problems.

Thanks again,

Ginger

Fibro Viv said...

This is so true, we have to make an effort to move, at least stretch. I do have chronic fatigue and understand how difficult it is, I want my life back, that is why I push myself to at least stretch.

Viv