HOW TO GET THOSE FEEL GOOD VIBES NATURALLY

Happiness isn’t something you find, it’s something you create. You have to choose to be happy otherwise you’ll constantly be seeking for outside sources to bring you happiness, which will never last and always result in putting you back in your original, unhappy state. We are not saying that making this choice to shift your perspective is always easy though and sometimes, it just isn’t that simple.

With the long summer days beginning to seem like a distant memory and the rise of SAD (seasonal affective disorder- yes, this disorder is a real thing!) looming around the corner, we’ve hunted down the top natural happiness hacks to help you to make this shift and consciously boost your happiness levels this autumn/winter without having to spend a penny!

Attitude of gratitude

Yes you’ve heard it here before and you’ll no doubt hear it here again but gratitude is a game changer. When it comes to needing an instant mindset shift, simply listing (in your mind or on paper) 5 things you are grateful for in your life at that current moment, can transition you from a low vibe state of dissatisfaction, to a high vibe state of appreciation and abundance.

Do not underestimate it’s power. If you want an instant mood booster, get on the #attitudeofgratitude train. This quick activity instantly forces you to see how things you may take for granted or have overlooked play a role in your happiness.

Another effective way to help you focus on gratitude is to meditate. Meditation has proven to be one of the most valuable tools for reducing stress, which is a common cause of unhappiness. Even if just for 10 minutes, meditating can boost your serotonin levels (your “feel-good” hormone) and transition you from an unhappy state to a more positive, grateful one.

Feel good food

Unsurprisingly, nutrition and diet play a huge role in your happiness, with certain foods having the ability to naturally boost your serotonin levels. Fill your diet with foods that make you feel GOOD and we mean, real foods that really good, not sugar filled foods that might give you a high for a few minutes, then leave you feeling unsatisfied and craving more!

Real foods to include in your diet to keep those good vibes going are:

Foods rich in vitamin C – e.g. oranges, mangoes, strawberries. Vitamin C not only contains an immune-boosting power but it also has the power to decrease depressive symptoms in your body, ultimately boosting your mood too.

Pumpkin seeds and walnuts- these snack or meal toppers are loaded in omega-3’s and packed with mood boosting benefits. In fact, all nuts are great for this so for happiness sake, it’s time to get nutty!

Dark chocolate- not just because it tastes so damn good, but chocolate contains a chemical called tryptophan that causes the release of serotonin into the brain which makes us feel happy. Eating it also releases endorphins which are known to decrease levels of both stress and pain. So just incase you needed another excuse to indulge in a bit of chocolate regularly, your happiness is most definitely one.

Fruits and veggies – we all know that fruits and veggies are good for our physical health but research shows that they are also great for our mental health too. They recommend 7-8 servings a day so try to reach this and focus on variety throughout your week. Think vibrant colours such as pineapple, tomatoes, peppers and uplifting greens!

Move that bod

Again, another piece of advice that we like to shout about on here...moving your body and getting active is so fundamental to your overall health and is scientifically proven to increase levels of happiness. Exercise releases endorphins, and endorphins make you happy. Even just a 20 minute workout can improve your mood for up to 12 hours. So it doesn’t take a lot of moving to get a boost

Make sure you choose an exercise you enjoy though, if you hate a certain type of workout, why do it? There are so many ways to be active and get those endorphins pumping. Try out a range of styles to find what works for you. If you’re looking for some inspo with this, check out the different classes we have on offer to see what you enjoy most and makes you feel your happiest, high-vibing self!

Fill up on on positivity

Our surroundings whether consciously or subconsciously , have a huge influence on our emotional state. For you to choose to be happy and feel happier in life, it’s important to take an honest look at your daily environment and how this may be impacting you. Things to consider include your physical settings (e.g. whether the tidiness and layout of your workspaces and home areas make you feel good), the books you are reading, the music you listen to, the people you are following on social media, your habits and the daily routine you lead. Another huge area to evaluate is the people you surround yourself with. We are not saying you should cut negative people out of your life completely but if you find that there are certain people you seem to come away from seeing feeling a little drained and in a less happy state, then try to bear this in mind and limit your contact with them as much as possible.

Your happiness is not something to be put aside or overlooked, take responsibility in filling your life with positive influences wherever you can.

Banish the comparison

Last but not least, in order to feel happy, we need to avoid the comparison trap. If comparing yourself or where you are at in any aspect of your life puts you in a negative state, you need to drop it. You can’t feel good if you are constantly comparing yourself to others. This isn’t about becoming less ambitious or changing your goals, this is about shifting your focus purely onto your on own lane and start running at your own pace.

Next time you catch yourself doing it, remind yourself that you don't gain anything from it, you only loose and it can never be a fair comparison as we are all so unique and individual.

We can definitely help you to 'move that bod' as well as give you guidance and ideas on how to stock up on 'feel good food' ...so if you are in need of those good vibes why not give our classes a try... those extra endorphins are only a press of a button away [press here]