3 Easy Ways to Tap into Your Joyful Heart
Are you ready to tap into your joyful heart?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine says that your heart holds the emotion of Joy. It also holds the emotion of sadness. It isn't unusual for us to get caught in the sadness and allow it to hide the joy which is our birth right.
Yep, Joy is your birthright. You were made to live in Joy, to enjoy.
The problem is that our lives become filled with the mundane things of life. We're so busy juggling tasks and responsibilities that we don't make time to do what brings us happiness. We don't take the time to en-Joy what is around us.
Did you know that not having joy in your daily life has been known to lead to unhappiness?
In fact, a lack of joy in your daily life can have long term negative consequences to your health.
Consider the symbolism of a hurting heart. A physically hurting heart can lead to cardio-vascular problems including heart attacks, high blood pressure, heart murmurs and more.
One of the best ways to prevent physical heart problems is to have a life filled with joy. There is medical research to back this up.
Several well-known studies have found that positive emotions, including joy, have a profound positive effect on your health. One such study entitled "Positive Emotion and Health: Going Beyond the Negative," was published in the July 2005 issue of Health Psychology. This research study found:
Having joy and optimism provided a 51% reduction in the rates of heart disease among men who were followed for 10 years during the study.
Although women weren't studied, you can be sure positive emotions such as joy and hope would reduce our incidence of heart disease as well. Those emotions also protected the individuals from high blood pressure, diabetes, and upper respiratory infections.
Pretty cool, don't you think?
No medication needed. Simply add joy, delight, and hope and move about your life.
Let's talk about three easy ways to notice where Joy is hiding in your life.
How to do it!
I'd like you to choose one of the three methods below and DO IT today. They're simple. You just need to be aware.
- Take time to appreciate and delve in activities that delight you.You know that energy lag in the middle of the day? The one where you get coffee or something sweet? Yes, that one.
Try this instead. (You can easily do this at work.) Bring to mind something you enjoy. It could even be something you haven't done in a while. Close your eyes and imagine yourself doing it. If it's hiking, immerse yourself in your last hike. Feel the ground beneath your feet. Feel those feelings of joy, delight and contentment.
If you enjoy making things, imagine yourself in every step of putting together something.
Whenever you feel your energy beginning to dwindle during the day, take a break and focus on something that brings you pleasure.
Be sure and schedule a time for you to physically do what you're imagining.
- Give yourself permission to have little "joy breaks" throughout your day. Focus on family, friends, a favorite memory. These will instantly lift your mood, as well as reduce stress and recharge your energy.
- Simple things like savoring a cup of your favorite tea (I'm a tea person) or coffee, or reconnecting with an old friend have the ability to bring you joy.
- Take time each day to focus on those simple activities that make you feel happier. You will benefit greatly and so will your heart.
Count your blessings. When things get tough and you feel overwhelmed, take 60 seconds and list as many blessings as you can think of. Focusing on the people, things and activities in your life which are going in a positive direction. Allow your heart to fill with appreciation.
- Feeling and expressing gratitude are very powerful. When you take time to reflect on better times in the past, what's going well now, you can instantly lift your mood. This gives you the strength to keep working towards your goals.
- Consider keeping a "blessings journal." When life gets so difficult you can't think of one thing to be thankful for, pull out your blessings journal and read it. This will help lift you up and encourage you during the difficult times.
- Change things up and do something new. The same ol' routine can make life dull and unexciting. Why not try something completely different to rediscover your joy?
- Your imagination is the only limit. You can explore a new route to and from work, do that one thing you've always said, "I need to…" Try a new recipe. Change your daily routine where possible.
- Consider learning a new skill or hobby. If you don't have a hobby in mind, try something you wanted to do as a child or before life got so busy. Did you dream of traveling to a faraway country in the past? Go online and explore places you'd like to visit. Consider taking classes to learn that country's language and then plan a trip.
They key is to make time for laughter and fun throughout your day.
You will you rediscover your joy, strengthen your health, and increase your own happiness. You'll also discover an increase in energy and you'll be happier.
Your positive outlook will have a positive effect upon others around you. Your increased joy might lead to increasing their level of joy, too… and we know the world certainly needs more of that!
To heal those wounds which limit your joy, get the 5-Step Soul Healing Prayer.
