5 Secrets from a Life Coach for a Happy Life
By Jeannette Samanen PhD
Introductory comments by Royane Real
Author of Your Guide to Finding Friends, Making Friends and Keeping Friends
Have you ever thought to yourself about what sort of ideal life would make you really, truly happy?
Do you think that a happy life means a life of ease and pleasure where you can just laze around all day, with no responsibilities?
A lot of people think of happiness as something that will happen once we are rich and we don’t have to work anymore. That’s why so many of us think that winning a major lottery will make us happy.
We think that happiness means we won’t have any more problems.
We mistake a life of leisure for a life of happiness.
The problem is that a life of leisure will not give us a sense of meaning and purpose.
In fact, many people who win huge amounts of money in lotteries quickly become deeply unhappy and disillusioned. They quit their jobs and quickly realize they don’t know how to fill up their days. They suddenly realize they don’t know who they can count on, because many of their friends and acquaintances may only want them for their money.
They discover too late that money and pleasure are not the same as happiness.
So, what does bring true happiness to people?
Human beings deeply need to have connection and meaning in their lives.
And we need to feel that we are contributing something important to those around us and to the rest of the world.
And we need to get in touch with something deep within ourselves that shows us who we really are.
In this article on being happy, life coach Jeannette Samanen shows us the keys to happiness that have worked for her and for countless other people.
The above introductory comments are by Royane Real, author of the popular book Your Guide to Finding Friends, Making Friends and Keeping Friends available at http://www.lulu.com/real
Feature article:
5 Secrets from a Life Coach for a Happy Life
By Jeannette Samanen PhD
In my work as a life coach, I find that there are five basic ingredients that lead to sustained happiness. Cultivate these deceptively simple behaviors and you will live a happier life.
1. Give and Receive Love
Your relationships are what nourish you the most, whether with family, friends or pets. Be kind to those around you. Be willing to give and receive support, encouragement and hugs. Spend time with those you care about.
Research has shown that kindness to others provides more lasting satisfaction than having fun.
2. Do Meaningful Work
Meaningful work may be a job you care about, whether it's work you get paid for, or taking care of your family. Meaningful work might be volunteering at a local hospice or teaching Sunday school.
Meaningful work can also be a hobby or interest you pursue, such as singing in a choir, collecting rare coins or quilting.
Meaningful work gives purpose and joy to your life.
3. Nourish Your Body Properly
You need a healthy body to enjoy life. When you take the time to eat nutritious foods, you provide your body with what it needs to function properly.
You feel better when you eat with awareness. Stop eating when you are full. Listen to your body and choose the foods your body loves. These may be different than the foods you crave. Really notice how the foods you eat affect you and make your food choices accordingly.
Enjoy alcohol in moderation. Life is enhanced by a glass of wine with dinner or a couple of drinks with friends after work. If alcohol is creating problems in your life, it's time to modify your drinking behavior.
4. Exercise and Rest
Watch a young child or a pet and you will notice vigorous activity immediately followed by rest. They run around like crazy and then conk out. We are hard-wired to do this. Make sure you get enough of both.
Exercise provides your body with the activity it needs to remain healthy and strong. It also produces endorphins, hormones that create a natural high.
Ample rest is every bit as important as exercise. People who get adequate sleep do better on every measure of physical and psychological health.
Take brief relaxation breaks during the day. You will return to work refreshed and better able to handle whatever challenges you face.
5. Cultivate a Practice of Reflection
Provide yourself with regular opportunity to reflect on your life. Take a walk during your lunch hour or turn off the radio in your car on the way home. Keep a daily journal or spend time in church focusing on the past week and the one ahead. Set up a regular appointment with a life coach.
This is time to take stock of what works in your life and what you would like to see different and better. You will gain awareness that enables you to be more in control of your life.
Taking time for quiet reflection will also help you to calm and center yourself. This is a great way to manage the stress in your life.
In Summary
You can think of these elements as a beautiful flower with five petals. When you practice all of them, you will definitely make your good life better!
Drawing on skills and expertise developed over 30 years experience, Jeannette Samanen PhD provides effective life coaching, empowering you to achieve your goals. Learn more secrets to empower you to lead a happy life. Subscribe to her "Make Your Good Life Better" newsletter at => www.achieveyourgoals.com
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