Good Vibes – Project Positive Energy

The pursuit of happiness is part of our identity as human beings. Happiness leads to longer life, greater health, and increased levels of resilience.

Why are some people happy and others not? People may be healthy and wealthy but still feel disconnected or unhappy. Can we learn to be happy? There is no single path to happiness because everyone views the world differently, and each person’s road to contentment is unique.

There are five things you can do each day to keep your happiness healthy.

Fore more information about this check out our Wellbeing page: https://ddcengineeringsolutions.co.uk/wellbeing/

The team at DDC compiled a list of things that you can do if you are chasing good vibes. These helped our team to discover happiness through simple activities:

• Start a happiness journal – write down two or three things that have brought you joy. Express how you felt at that moment and if you can include some pictures
• Find happiness at work – there is great joy to be had in working hard to achieve something, or putting the effort to earn a reward
• Value who you are – look in the mirror and smile at yourself. Appreciate different things you like about yourself
• Hug more – giving someone a hug will reduce your stress levels, reduce your cortisol levels and increase the production of oxytocin, a happy hormone. All of this will make you feel happier and also boost your immune system
• Communicate more – it is not about how many words you use but about creating genuine engagement. Making someone feel acknowledged, heard and respected is the greatest gift of happiness
• Exercise – Shape up for health and happiness. Taking up exercise doesn’t mean you have to sign up to a gym or run a 5 km race. Even walking the dog or a brisk walk is a good start. As little of 30 minute of exercise has been shown to enhance happiness and self-confidence
• Sleep well – plan sleep into your weekly routine to boost your health and sense of wellbeing
• Stop procrastinating – procrastination is an enemy of happiness because it will never allow you to plan ahead with confidence, relax, no guilt
• Surround yourself with positive people – when you surround yourself with people who fill your cup rather than drain it, you are more likely to feel positive and happy
• Be more curious – try new experiences that will bring enthusiasm and excitement. Do something creative
• Give – the most valuable gift of all is your personal time, time spent in the service of others, listening and paying attention
• Meditate – finding your way to a place of calm inside your mind is to find a place where transformation can occur and peace can be found.
• Nurture your friendships – friends are a vital ingredient for happiness
• Spend time with animals – research shoes that if we play with an animal for few minutes it signals our brain to produce calming chemicals and decrease the level of cortisol, the stress hormone.
• Music Magic – create a playlist with your favourite happy songs. Music moves people. It can uplift and energise as easily as it can trigger romance or sadness.
• Appreciate Nature – spending time in nature is one of the most powerful anti-depressants available to us. It is free for all and provides an easy route to a happier life
• Nourish yourself- nourishing your body with the right foods and eating more mindfully can beat sugar cravings and set you on a path to wellbeing
• Practice self-compassion – be your best friend
• Positive affirmations – using affirmations daily is a powerful but simple way to bring happiness to your life
• Digital detox – a digital detox is a period of time during which you live without using digital devices such as your PC or phone. It is an opportunity to reduce stress and to focus on social interaction in the physical world rather than through technology