This post is brought to you by Atlas Communications.
Whatever the season, whichever the holiday, there will always be those around you who just seem so, well, happy.
And why shouldn’t they be?
From Valentine’s Day to New Year’s Eve, most holidays include gifts, time off work, and food. Lots of food.
The problem is, gifts mean financial crunch, time off work equates to work piling up, and extra food (together with skipping out on your regular gym routine) can be a recipe for disaster. Combined, this can leave you feeling down in the dumps at a time when you’re supposed to making happy memories with loved ones.
So how can you keep your spirits up? Some would say with “spirits” themselves, but we’ve come up with 7 more creative ways to be happy whenever holidays roll around:
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Spend Less
So much – in fact, TOO much – stress in life comes from worrying about money. We spend money to be happy, but if spending is causing stress instead, it may be time to cut costs. When it comes to giving gifts, time and thoughtfulness always count for more anyway. Fortunately, they won’t leave a nasty credit card bill after the fact.
Eat More…Fruit
Studies have shown that eating more fruits and vegetables has been associated with lowering levels of depression. Also, if you’re filling up on healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, you’ll have less room for chocolates and other sugary foods that can lead to blood sugar spikes and mood swings.
Drink Less
One benefit you’ll experience when you avoid drinking is a notable increase in productivity. Instead of pouring a glass of wine, go for a walk or tackle a project you’ve been putting off for a while. Being productive will increase feelings of satisfaction and overall happiness.
Exercise
Obvious? Yes. But also easier said than done. Especially if you’re fighting a holiday hangover (food or otherwise). To increase your odds of exercising, involve a friend in your exercise plans to stay accountable. It’s a lot easier to hit snooze and forget about a morning jog when you don’t have a friend outside waiting.
Socialize
Smartphones may have made our generation less social, but that doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy socializing. Whether you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert, spending time with friends has an undeniable impact on happiness levels. So use your holiday time to visit with friends instead of scrolling through your phone during a solo Netflix marathon. You’ll be glad you did.
Try Something New
Not only will you be happy you learned a new skill, you may also make new friends along the way. You really have no excuse – Toronto has everything from Paint Nite to Axe Throwing as potential activities to choose from.
Make Time For a Hobby
Slow down, workaholic – holiday time is supposed to be down time. Set aside feelings of anxiety over work projects, and get back to an old neglected hobby you enjoy. Pick up that guitar you haven’t played in ages, or dust off the book you’ve been meaning to read. Taking this time off to relax and rejuvenate will help you to focus and be more productive once the holiday is over.
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