The Key To Happiness? Part Two - Giving, Relating, Exercising, Awareness & Trying.
This is for anyone that wants to make a positive change to their lives as we move forward into a new year filled with so much uncertainty.
Utilising Action For Happiness’ 10 Keys Programmes the new year begins or anytime you begin to read.Considering the places that you call home, work, social areas and, out in your local community
All explained through; Giving, Relating, Exercising, Awareness, Trying, Direction, Resilience, Emotions, Acceptance and Meaning.
This three Part Series breaks down the keys and, gives you some easy to follow examples of how to improve your life and happiness, based on practical, simple ideas with a significant amount of research undermining the foundation of this programmes creation.
In Part One we explored The Action For Happiness Programme. We focused at the background of the programme, considered the approach and established the meaning behind each of the 10 Keys and its importance. You can access it here.
In Part Two we will look at the first 5 keys in more detail, how they might work in practical situations, based on real life scenarios and challenges faced. We will focus on those with LTHC’s and Disabilities.*Utilising the Calendar resource from Action For Happiness we will look at simple but effective activities and strategies to employ and dip into some other organisations and support groups for alternative activities.
Giving
Giving comes in many different forms. Whether that’s present’s, or a smile, checking in with someone vulnerable or volunteering from home or out in your community. Sometimes the smallest gesture can mean the most.
Scenario;
‘I hate asking for help. It makes me feel useless and stupid if I can’t complete a task myself. ’
Think instead; If I ask for help it will help me solve my problem and the person I ask will not only be happy to help but also get a boost by helping you. Some people will go that extra mile and those who volunteer are supposed to live for longer!
Action For Happiness
The Active December Calendar For April 2021 is all about Giving and has a huge range of ideas. From eating less meat so you can be kind to the planet from the comfort of your own home, leaving a positive message for someone to find or sharing a happy moment with someone special are simple examples.
You could also try;
Select Health recognises 9 ways to show kindness through a blog post by Emily Crawford which reports that;
‘Practicing kindness may also have many health benefits such as lowering pain levels, relieving stress and anxiety, and increasing life expectancy. When we show kindness, we are healing others and ourselves at the same time.’
Crawford explores; Focusing on others, being a helping hand, listening, sending care packages, being positive, smiling at others, giving compliments, using our manners and perhaps most importantly, being kind to yourself!
Relating
It can be so hard to find common ground with people around you if you have a LTHC/Disability that others have no knowledge of and they don’t make an effort to relate and understand what you are feeling.
Scenario;
‘Since becoming ill feel like I’m being judged by everyone all of the time. People don’t understand me anymore and I lack social contact with others. I lost my job and most of my friends and contact with others on trips out, but many of these are to medical appointments and then I don’t have the energy to go out and meet people like I used to’.
Action For Happiness
This Friendly February 2021 Calendar has many different actions that fit our scenario really well, but the undermining one of Relating is that by cheering up others you will cheer yourself up at the same time! Ways to achieve this include organising a virtual tea break with someone or actively listening to someone without making any judgement.
You could also try;
Opening up to others and asking them to listen could be a powerful tool. Hard to do but could be through word of mouth, a card or simply a few notes that you jot down and share. Talking To People About Your Illness from NHS Reform looks closely at difficulties in talking about your condition with others, people you can talk to, dealing with your illness and responding to others.
Exercising
Exercise is a great way to boost our mental well-being. Regardless of any physical limitations or circumstances, everyone can become more active. It can increase self-esteem, confidence and supports your health conditions if approached in the correct way.
Scenario;
‘I’ve tried to exercise but it causes me more pain and it doesn’t work, so I give up and stop’ or ‘I’d love to exercise more but don’t know where to begin, as I’m worried I’ll do too much’.
Think carefully about your exercise. Speak to or take some advice from a qualified coach or instructor. Ensure that you start small and get bigger. Remember that any exercise will cause muscle soreness regardless of whether you have a LTHC/Disability. A good physiotherapist will be able to support you and help you recognise when your body is ready to take each step.
Action For Happiness
Utilising The Active April Calendar For April 2021 is a perfect place to begin. As simple as finding something you can do whilst the kettle boils, replacing screen time with a walk or taking some time to do simple yoga exercises are all accessible, adaptable and easy to implement.
You could also try;
The NHS Fitness Studio has produced a full range of exercise programmes led by 24 different instructors. Every exercise on the site adds up towards the recommended 150 minutes of activity per week. The sessions last between 10-45 minutes. There are things such as Wake up! workout, Vinyasa flow yoga, and Belly dancing for beginners to get you moving as well as your more traditional options and those that relate to specific medical conditions.
Awareness
Living in the moment is something often associated with Mindfulness, a ‘buzz' word if you like. Commonly linked with Mental Health. Focusing on the here and now and trying to focus in even just for a few moments can be helpful.
Scenario
‘So much going on I cannot process it all - fatigue and brain fog is descending, I have no idea what I’m doing. I feel stressed and exhausted. I just want it to stop!’
Action For Happiness
Head to The March Calendar for 2021 for some top tips where mindfulness comes into force. Tasks include stopping, breathing and noticing what is around you. Notice when you are tired and plan a break as soon as you can and appreciate the nature around you regardless of where you are.
You could also try;
Using Visualization to Reduce Anxiety Symptoms offers an alternative By Katharina Star. Although this post relates specifically to panic disorders the theory and practice are the same. Essentially it uses mental imagery to help create a more relaxed mind by removing yourself from a stressful situation and allowing yourself time to re-align and regain focus. It talks through some great ideas.
Trying
Learning is a really important part of our growth. For many with LTHC’s/Disabilities this may be health related, looking though Charity pages for updates and guides to support management of difficult and complex conditions.
Scenario;
‘I try and write about my health in a log air night to help monitor my symptoms but I struggle to remember things, I get frustrated and then find it’s useless or I don’t look back and work out what my key problems and triggers are’.
Try setting aside 5-10 minutes 3 times during the day and chart your symptoms and feelings as you go through the day. Your health condition or disability will determine which headings you need. But thing like, general health, mental health, sleep, a few positives about your day and a spot for analysis are ideal. Use this to inform yourself, others around you and your medical team. They can all help guide you using the information you collate.
Action For Happiness
The November 2021 Calendar encourages us to learn new things. This doesn’t mean you have to sign up to a complex course. It can be as small as trying out a new TV show, reading a different newspaper or trying out a new recipe.
You could also try;
Why is Learning Important by Melissa Malec, explores the Benefits of Being A Lifelong Learner. She looks at what learning is and the different ways that you can achieve this in simple terms. She then looks into how learning and education help hold together human life and civilisation as we know it. Her belief through extensive research is that what we learn and use makes our societies better for everyone around us.
That’s our five!
These may be simple ideas but they are worth exploring. Next week we will be going through the final five keys in a similar way. These are; Direction, Resilience, Emotions, Acceptance and meaning. Till then stay safe, stay well and make sure you have your vaccine/boosters!
*Please remember that these blogs are very real for us. We are on the same journey and it’s tough, slow and frustrating. Most of the Scenarios we face ourselves. Sometimes we find what we convey helpful but at other times we don’t. However, we include it because everyones journey is different and we like to have this passionate perseverance to help others as much as possible. To dispose of it all would be a waste and a dis-service to our readers.
Giving
Action For Happiness
Select Health
Relating
Action For Happiness
NHS Inform - Talking About Your Health Condition
Exercising
Action For Happiness
NHS - Fitness Studio
NHS - Fitness Studio - Wake Up Workout
NHS - Fitness Studio - Vinyasa Flow Yoga
NHS - Fitness Studio - Belly Dancing For Beginners
Awareness
Action For Happiness
Well Mind - Visualisation
Trying
Action For Happiness
Why Is Learning Important?