*** This is a re-post from September 26, 2009 ***
I really like Earl Henslin's term "Joy Bosters." It clearly sums up what I want to offer in this post. I will be telling you about a few of my favorites both from "This is your Brain on Joy" as well as from other sources. Whenever you feel that joy might be lacking and/or you want to encourage more, refer to this post for a quick joy pick me up!
- MUSIC
The Spirituality and Practice website offers a whole list of Joy inducing music which might help get you started. Searching on the key words happy and joy in You Tube will also net you numerous offerings.
- SCENT
- EXCERCISE AND NUTRITION
Eat Joyfully! Consult the following sources as reccommended in "This is your Brain on Joy:" Dr. Daniel Amen's books, "The mood cure" by Julia Ross and Nina Planck's "Real Food." All can guide you to foods that contribute to good brain health. When you eat this way, you can't help but feel more joyful and you will be on your way to being healthier too!
- HUMOR
— Diane Johnson quoted in Zen Soup by Laurence G. Boldt
Dr. Henslin says, "people who maintain a sense of humor out live those who don't" and recommends laughing at yourself once a day. Humor can be practiced and learned.
- BEHOLDING BEAUTY
Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.—Anne Frank
"If little Anne Frank, hiding from the Nazis, could find pockets of beauty in her limited world, then surely we can upsize our ability to look for and absorb the beauty around us that brings an inner smile."
Visit a museum, leaf through coffee table books with beautiful photos of your liking, send yourself flowers, visit a garden, go window shopping, look at the stars ( here is the amazing Hubble telescope gallery) etc. etc. Beauty is everywhere. Be conscious and on the look out for it and you will have more joy in your life!
Since I am moving into my new house next week this tidbit, also from "This is your Brain on Joy," is particularly encouraging to me: "Rearranging or decorating is a pleasureable mental and physical excercise that packs a punch in increasing your daily joy quotient."
- LEARN SOMETHING NEW
Next post: A Merry Christmas!
My 13 bliss virtues: joy, order, creativity, passion, whimsy, serenity, inquiry, community, romance, gratitude, moxie, humility, surprise
My 13 bliss virtues: joy, order, creativity, passion, whimsy, serenity, inquiry, community, romance, gratitude, moxie, humility, surprise