We are all meant to be happy. It’s not only an innate desire we have, it’s a fundamental need, but sometimes we get off track. Life throws us curve balls regularly. Some people seem to have it rougher than others. Or could it be that some people just handle those curve balls in a more resilient way?
Probably both are true. If you’re stuck in sadness, depression, anxiety or anger, yes, it’s a challenge to suddenly shift how you respond to life. And we acknowledge that sometimes you may need clinical help to get the jumpstart you need. Whether you opt for professional assistance or not, please read on. (Note: This article is no way meant to offer a prescription for getting out of deep depression.)
Summer is the season for joy... for renewing it within ourselves... for unveiling it, sustaining it, rebirthing it and growing it. And if we've got joy, we can safely say we have happiness.
So, how can we be happy most of the time this season, if not, all year ‘round? It may sometimes take a bit of initial effort but soon a momentum in the positive direction takes hold and you’re off and running. Let's take advantage of the vitality-filled season of Summer to increase our happiness and joy:
Begin to appreciate every little thing. Acknowledge your appreciation of the butterfly, the crow cawing, the unexpected breeze that flows across your face, the gleeful child on the swingset, the delicious salsa you’re having, the cool bedsheets you’re laying on, the kind hello from the gas station attendant. Make this a practice. It is foundational to your happiness. In a short amount of time, you’ll notice yourself smiling more. Appreciation will become second nature to you and joy will definitely increase in your life. And it is this joy and happiness that are the foundation to your wellness. They are literally the key to your vitality and health.
Wear and bring colors into the home. According to traditional Chinese medicine, Summer’s element is Fire and the the color of the season is red. Accent your home and wardrobe with pops of red if you can. Let the color red be a reminder of joy to you. Mentally acknowledge this emotion when your eyes light on the color red.
Since Summer is the period of luxurious flora growth, bring colorful flowers into your home. Plant exuberant flowers near your front door so you can see them as you enter your home. If you’re not a gardener, buy a hanging basket of planted flowers and hang near your door to remind you of vitality, growth, and ever-changing expansion. Eat the sweet juicy fruits of Summer and appreciate their lusciousness. Make it a point to experience in some direct way the exuberant holidays of Summer.
Expand your vocabulary, especially the adjectives you use. Embellish your speech with the most positive, exciting verbiage you can muster and watch your life get happier. Remember that the words we speak actually create therefore be very mindful of your choice of language.
It is a known fact that emotion follows physiology. If you feel down, notice your posture and demeanor. You’re probably slouching and your face is either stoic or frowning. Maybe your eyebrows are knitted and your body is tense. You’ve got to make yourself get up, pull your shoulders back, stand tall, chin up in the air. Make yourself smile. Loosen up your body. Shake it out. This may be an effort but it takes less than 30 seconds. The improvement in your posture and demeanor, in most cases, will leave you feeling brighter, already slightly more optimistic. Now keep the momentum going. Spread open your arms. Stretch. Maybe even dance. Turn on the music inside your home full blast and enjoy. Awaken the cells of your body so they can dance, too!
What's your favorite thing to do to have fun? DO IT NOW! If you can’t exactly do it now, at least, take one step right now towards experiencing it in the very near future. Make that phone call. Get your outfit ready. Invite your friend.
When you're doing anything fun this Summer (or any time), really take it in. With a smile on your face, drill down to its essence and drink it in, every drop, slowly. Slow down in order to get really present to the joy and fun of doing it.
Revel in the abundant sunlight of summer. The sun can be very healing, invigorating and detoxifying. Make an intention as you bask in the sun or just walk in it that its rays cleanse your body of toxic emotion and substance.
Bask in not only the weather warmth of the season but the social warmth of friendships and get-togethers. Enriching relationships are key to happiness. This is a studied and known fact. (Read our blog, “Enhance Your Wei Chi to Increase Your Well-Being,” here.) Find ways to appreciate every single person in your life. Take one little step towards increasing the people in your life. Maybe your neighbor across the street could benefit from a friendly gesture from you as well.
Keep excitement in your life. Change it up. Be mindful and aware of getting out of old confining patterns. Break out. Do everything differently. Step out of the box and out of the way you've always done it.
If you’re feeling down, go within yourself to reach for the next highest emotion. For example, if you’re feeling anxiety, the next higher emotion might be hope–hope that things will turn out alright. Reach for that hope and notice that you immediately begin to feel better. This can help get you there–to happiness. Take it one step at a time.
This article was originally published on May 14, 2016 and was updated on May 24, 2021 for freshness and comprehensiveness.