Tag Archives: mental health

Sep9

Super Casual OOTD Bloopers

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Super Casual OOTD Bloopers

Hello everyone and welcome to the blooper reel to my Super Casual OOTD! Thankfully, Johnny and I took these pictures before leaving for our niece’s second birthday party and not after. Not five minutes into the gathering, I spilled juice on my shirt. This is absolutely TMI but I had to walk around the party looking like I was lactating for two hours lol SMH. Despite this faux pas, a wonderful time was had by all and hopefully my boob stain wasn’t too noticeable! And, of course, the pics we are about to see are nothing short of a faux pas too. Check it out:

A sultry gaze just for you

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A hot new look called “Demonic Possession”

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Wait for it…..

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ACHOOO!

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Dude, where’s my car?

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I LOOK GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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As summer draws to a close, I realize that I did not achieve a stereotypical “bikini body” this year. Or any year, as a matter of fact lol. This is okay because a true bikini body is just a body in a bikini. However, I have to admit that when I wore the crop top above, I was a bit self conscious. My tummy is far from perfectly flat and I am perfectly aware of it. I guess I was just a little more aware of it that particular day. But you know what I did? I wore the crop top anyways! Because at the end of the day, who cares? I still felt good in the top and that was all that mattered to me.

While I contemplated my belly, I thought about how different my body is as a thirty year old woman as opposed to when I was twenty. Was my stomach flatter back in the day? Absolutely. But bodies change and gaining some extra pounds comes with aging. I also considered my activity throughout the week. I have an incredibly strenuous work schedule and I try to go for a walk or hike at least four days a week. I asked myself if after all of that, did I really want to work out once I’m home from work and the resounding answer was a HARD NO!

During my whirlwind body thoughts, I came to the conclusion that I am happy with how I look and that is a beautiful place to be. Yes, I did initially feel self conscious in the top. But, I thought about it carefully and weighed my options. With that, I decided that there is nothing more for me to do than wear whatever I want, when I want. It was a liberating feeling and when I was done having my think session, I felt much better than I did before. And, when next summer rolls around, my bikini body will be ready. All I need to do is add a bikini. 🙂

Feeling self conscious happens to the best of us, but you have the Lil Red Guarantee that you look amazing just the way you are! ❤

What is something you feel self conscious about? What do you do to feel better about it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug18

Decision Making 101

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Decision Making 101

Howdy!! I don’t know about all of you, but I have a very difficult time making decisions. I stress, ruminate, and let anxiety build up until I just keep doing the same thing without making any changes. It’s understandable – any kind of change can be scary and I find a lot of comfort in the same old, same old. This past week, however, I had to make some really big work related decisions and it sucked lol. I am pleased to report that I made it through on the other side. I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t still feeling some residual stress about it, but I know that I will feel much better in time. These are some of the things that helped me as I made choices and maybe they will help you too:

Deep Breaths:

If you’re like me and simply the thought of major changes puts you into a tailspin, then first and foremost, you need to chill. Sound decisions can’t be made when you are in distress so try and relax. Take deep breaths, sip a cup of tea, or have a hot shower. Whatever you need to do to put you in a calmer state of mind. Then, you can revisit the decision that needs made when you are feeling less frazzled.

Pros & Cons:

The most common way to make choices is to weigh the pros and cons and there is a reason for it – it is always effective. Grab a pen and paper, pull up a notepad on your phone, or type on the computer and start thinking about the good and bad that could come with each option. It will be so helpful to see your thoughts right in front of you rather than let them swirl around your head. Your initial pros and cons might be subject to change so don’t make a split decision immediately. Give it a day or two, revisit it, and see if anything or nothing needs reevaluated.

Think About You:

There is a high chance that whatever you are struggling to decide might effect other people. This can throw a huge monkey wrench in the process because, of course, we don’t want choices to negatively impact others. This is where I have the most difficult time and often just resort to doing the same thing. However, you need to think about yourself. Sometimes, what’s best for you isn’t best for the people that it might effect and that’s okay. Yes, you read that right: It’s okay. Doing for you isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary if you want to keep moving forward in a positive trajectory.

Go With Your Gut:

Maybe you have weighed your pros and cons and are still nowhere closer to a decision. If that is the case, think about your gut, heart, and mind. This is what it ultimately boiled down to as I made my work related choice. I knew exactly what I wanted and I had a hard time working up the nerve to just do it. Listen to yourself and what your body is telling you. The answers you need are all there so don’t swamp yourself down with the “what ifs” or you might end up getting stuck. I admit that I was stuck for over a month until I was able to do what I needed to do for me. All it did was cause me more stress as the situation festered in my head and that could have been easily avoided. Changes take time, though, and if you need extra time that is totally fine but it might make making the choice even harder if you drag it out.

I feel good about the decision I made because I know it will be good for me, even if it doesn’t feel that way right now. I also feel like I have a better grasp on making choices for the next time a situation arises – hopefully!

How do you make decisions? What is something you struggle with? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar26

Spring Flowers

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Spring Flowers

Howdy!! One of my favorite times of the year is right now. Winter is almost over, the promise of spring is so close, and it feels like anything is possible. The thing I look forward to the most is seeing spring flowers begin to pop up because it just makes me happy. After the grey, snowy days of winter, there is nothing better than seeing beautiful blooms and spring flowers are some of my favorites too. Daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths brighten my day and I always try to take a moment to appreciate them. This past week, I was thrilled to see yellow daffodils in my parents’ yard – even though it was snowing!

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Last week was a bit of a doozy for yours truly. I, unfortunately, had to stop going to therapy because mine and Johnny’s insurance is garbage. As you can imagine, this was really disappointing for me. It felt like I had literally just found a therapist I was comfortable with and then it got taken away. However, there wasn’t anything I could do after paying over seven hundred dollars in under one month. And, on top of that, my beloved Little Red Love Machine started making some crazayyyy noises so it was an expensive repair on top of the medical expenses. Talk about stressful!

As I left my mom and dad’s house feeling not my best, I noticed the daffodils in the yard and couldn’t believe I didn’t see them on my way in. I guess I had my blinders on! Instead of getting in my car and going straight home, I took some time standing as the snow fell to take it in. Even though the flowers were getting snowed on, they were still adding gorgeous color to the world. It was a nice metaphor for what I was going through in that immediate moment. Despite feeling sad, I can still do my best to continue to shine and that made the situation a bit more bearable. ❤

Spring Flowers are short lived and I am glad that I took those extra moments to let that fleeting beauty sink in. I needed some daffodils that day and I left chez parents feeling better than I did before.

What is your favorite flower? What is your favorite time of the year? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar25

*Trying* To Take It Easy

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*Trying* To Take It Easy

Hello!! The irony has not been lost on me that the past two times that I had any time off from work were spent being sick. I spent my week long holiday break this winter with RSV and had another week off due to a nasty virus at the beginning of the month. It was a huge bummer to be sick over the holidays, but I’d be a liar if I said it wasn’t awesome having some time off this second time around! As someone who has been self employed for almost a decade, it is incredibly difficult for me to justify time off – even if it is for fun things like vacations. However, after enjoying being sick more than I probably should have, I realized that I really do need to make an effort to *try* to take it easier. So, I have been doing the following:

Sleeping In:

I have always been adamant about waking up as soon as my alarm goes off because I need my jam packed days to run like clockwork. This proved to be very hard after a whole week of getting up sans alarm, though. After my sick spell, I have given myself permission to hit the snooze or even sleep for another extra hour. And guess what? My days still are going without a hitch and I feel much more well rested too. This isn’t an every day thing, but I have been taking advantage of getting some extra shut eye on the days where I have a bit more wiggle room. I have noticed a huge difference in my energy levels and will absolutely continue with this!

Face Masks:

One of my sick day rituals was using face masks so I could feel some semblance of pampered while I was a gross, sweaty mess lol. This is another thing that I have been sticking with and I have enjoyed a weekly face mask since the beginning of March. I tend to do this as soon as I get home one day during the week and even though it’s only a twenty minute process, I see its merits. Rather than diving into the next thing I have to do (computer work, cooking dinner, cleaning), I am able to take those twenty minutes to recharge and continue going about my day. This is a win/win because I love doing skin care and I feel like it gives me a second wind until bedtime. It’s amazing what taking twenty minutes for you out of your day can do!

Making Plans:

I can’t tell you the amount of weekends I have spent doing literally nothing because I am too tired. Then, I would go about the work week feeling disappointed that Johnny and I didn’t do anything fun at all. While we still have our lazy weekends, we have both been making an effort to do more and have a good time during our time off. Within this past month alone, we have reincorporated date nights and I have tried my best to make plans (and keep them) with my friends. For a long while, I was going through the motions of the work week without much to look forward to once the weekend rolls around. Now, Johnny and I have been adding at least one fun outing to our weekend and it has been fantastic. On Mondays, I feel happy with the hang outs we’ve had and am eager to see what we’ll do the following weekend.

I have been on the grindset mindset for so long and, although these seem like small changes, they are huge to me. I plan on continuing with all of these improvements and adding new ways to make things easier for myself when I feel like I need it. I already notice a difference!

How do you take time for yourself? What are some improvements that you have made recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec28

Hobbies That Are Guaranteed To Beat Stress

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Hobbies That Are Guaranteed To Beat Stress

Stress is a normal part of life, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be doing things to help to let it go. We need to have healthy methods for coping with anxiety and stress. One of the best ways to do this is to have a hobby. Whether you are crafting with friends or you are choosing to go to the movies, you need a hobby that’s going to make you feel happy. Let’s take a look at the hobbies that are guaranteed to beat your stress for a healthier lifestyle:

Start a collection:

One of the hobbies, as old as time itself, is collecting. When most people think of a collection, they envision someone collecting expensive antiques. But it doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, you could start a very simple collection, especially if you love to travel. You could pick up a key ring at every city you visit and eventually build up a whole world’s worth of key rings on a pegboard. It doesn’t matter what you choose to collect but pick something that you’re passionate and excited about.

Do more with music:

Whether you’re playing an instrument or just listening to more music, it is one of the best hobbies that is going to guarantee that your stress will be beaten. You can pop on some noise canceling headphones and let your favorite songs play through them or you could decide to start some lessons so that you can learn how to play an instrument. There is plenty of music in the world that’s just waiting for you to pay attention to it!

Work on puzzles:

An amazing way to unwind is to start puzzling. Even if you haven’t put together a puzzle in years, you’ll find that working through the challenge of one can be incredibly relaxing. Playing by yourself is a good way to enjoy some solo downtime, but you can grab a friend to do the puzzle with you and still have just as much fun. The best part is, there are so many beautiful puzzles out there and when you’re done, you can either frame them for your house or box them back up again to enjoy another time.

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^^^ Pexels Image

Start baking:

Whether you like to bake cakes or biscuits, it doesn’t really matter. Baking is an amazing way for you to beat your stress. You’ll be able to have easy access to delicious treats, but you’ll be able to watch the pile of ingredients become something beautiful. You can decide to sell them and make a business out of it, or you can just continue to bake at home for your own fun.

Work with your hands:

Sometimes, putting your hands to work can make a massive difference. Whether you are rebuilding a car or you are crafting, you’ll find that your mental health improves when you can put your mind and concentration into something amazing. Building something from the ground up is a huge achievement and it helps to promote patience at the same time!

Learn a new language:

It doesn’t matter whether you only know one language right now, you can still Learn a new language. Everybody has the capacity to learn something new. So start with the basic vocabulary and take your time to understand the history and the culture behind each language you choose to learn.

Not only is having a hobby great fun, but it is a wonderful stress reliever. Try any of the above and shake that stress away!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Dec6

Why You Should Embrace Your Inner Child

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Why You Should Embrace Your Inner Child

Adulthood was once considered the time to ‘put away childish things’ as a famous poet once wrote. But why? There are so many benefits to embracing your inner child that we should all be making more time to get back into the kid headspace more often. Let’s discuss:

Laughter is the Best Medicine (and It’s Free!):

Remember when you used to laugh so hard that milk would shoot out of your nose? Okay, maybe don’t aim for the nose-milk part, but laughter really is good for you, and science says so, so there (see I’m getting childish already). It relieves stress, boosts your mood, and even burns calories. So go ahead, watch that cartoon, giggle at silly jokes, and let your laugh be as loud and unapologetic as a child’s.

Playtime Isn’t Just for Kids:

Play isn’t just for the under-10s; it’s a crucial part of being a happy, well-rounded adult too. Yes, really! Okay, so what does this play look like? This could mean anything from board games and sports to arts and crafts, or maybe even building up an army of your favorite collectible toys and letting them battle it out whenever you need to de-stress. Speaking of stress, ever tried adult coloring books? They’re like therapy, but with more crayons and less awkward silences.

Curiosity Didn’t Kill the Cat; It Made Life More Interesting:

Kids are curious about everything, and somehow, as adults, we lose that. Well, now it’s time to reignite your curiosity. Ask questions, explore, and try new things. It keeps life interesting and your brain engaged. Remember, it’s never too late to learn how to play the guitar or speak another language. Unless it’s Klingon. Maybe draw the line at Klingon. This will keep you feeling young, but more importantly, it will keep your brain healthy as you get older, too.

Emotions: Feel Them All:

Kids feel their emotions deeply and aren’t afraid to show them. As adults, we often bottle things up, and this is not, for the most part, a good thing. It’s okay to be vulnerable, to feel sad, happy, or even throw a good old-fashioned tantrum (preferably not in the middle of a supermarket, though).

Imagination: More Valuable Than You Think:

Our imagination seems to shrink as we age, but it’s one of our most powerful tools. Use it! Dream big, think creatively in your job, or just daydream about being a pirate. Imagination adds color to the mundane grayness of adult life.

Say Yes to Adventure:

Remember when a simple trip to the park felt like an adventure? Bring that feeling back. Be spontaneous, say yes to new experiences, and see where life takes you. It’s about making memories, not just to-do lists.

Your hair might be grey and your knees might ache like never before, but that doesn’t mean you can’t embrace the child within every day!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov5

Sleeping Good, Feeling Great

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Sleeping Good, Feeling Great

Hello!! I have had a few appointments with my new therapist and it has been most helpful! She is seriously the best and is so much fun to talk to – it’s almost like I’m venting to a friend and I really like that. I have noticed a significant difference in my mood already just by being able to vocalize some of the things that have been weighing on my mind. Another big change that I made other than therapy is finding someone new to handle my medication management and that has been a HUGE success!

It’s incredibly important to get professional help for your well-being when you’re struggling mentally. There are some great services out there, like this website, that you can look into when it comes to improving your mental health and well-being in general.

Prior to the new person I have been going to for med management, I was just seeing a general practitioner. He was fine, but our appointments literally only lasted like two minutes and it was expensive as all get out. So, I decided to make an appointment with a nurse practitioner who works in the same office as my therapist. My only regret? That I didn’t do it sooner because she is awesome and prescribed me a new medication that has seriously changed my life.

This past summer, I was diagnosed with PTSD. I have always suffered from night terrors, but it was getting to be SO extreme. There was a point when I was only having a handful of night terrors per week and it turned into an every single night affair. For months, I was waking up every night screaming and it was horrible for both me and Johnny. It was so hard to fall back asleep after I jarred us awake from screaming bloody murder and we were going through life exhausted.

I had no idea that there was a medication that could help with my night terrors, so I never brought it up. You could have knocked me over with a feather when my nurse practitioner told me that there was something that she could prescribe! Since taking this new medication, I have not had one single night terror. None. Nada. Zip. Zero. I don’t think I realized how sleep deprived I was until I was actually getting a good night’s sleep for the first time in months.

Now that I am sleeping better, I feel energized, my mood has improved, and my work days don’t feel anywhere near as daunting. Normally, I would be too fatigued by the time the weekend rolled around to do anything. Now, Johnny and I have had outings with friends, family, and ourselves every weekend. It’s fun! I feel more like myself than I have in months and I am so thankful that I am finally sleeping through the night. The power of being well rested is a real thing!

If you feel like you are struggling, I can’t encourage you enough to seek help. It might feel scary, but you are going to feel so much better and I am proof of that. I know you can do it! ❤

What is something that helps you sleep well? Do you dream a lot when you sleep? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov4

Happy Gotcha Day, Bunnies!

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Happy Gotcha Day, Bunnies!

Hello everyone!!! November first was Melvin and Penelope’s Gotcha Day and I guess I’m a horrible bunny mom because I didn’t realize it until the second lol. I have been thinking about their Gotcha Day for months and naturally it slipped my mind the day of SMH. In my defense, it has felt like Johnny and I have had Mel and P for forever ever since we brought them home over a year ago. They are the best little bunnies that we could ever ask for and it is such a joy to be bunny parents:

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^^^ Lol at this picture of Penelope!

Mel and P have grown so much since we have brought them home. Not in size, but in spirit haha. For the first several months of having them, they were pretty skittish and it took a decent amount of time for them to get fully acclimated to their new setting and owners. These first months were a testament to patience being a virtue as we slowly but surely increased our interactions with them. A year ago, they barely wanted to be pet. Now, they love to be picked up and cuddled while Johnny and I hang out in the evenings. It’s great!

The best part about this year of pet parenthood has been watching Mel and Pen’s personalities finally come out. Penelope is not as shy as we originally thought and is such a cuddle bug. Our clothes are proof of this because she sheds like crazy. The way to her heart has always been with her favorite treats and she will literally melt over an apple lol. Melvin, on the other hand, is all about adventure. He loves to explore and is currently zooming around our bunny proofed zone as I type this. Mel is such an adolescent and doesn’t like to be held for too long so he can get back to playing. Thankfully, he is never too old for lots of pets from his old mom and pop. 🙂

Johnny and I took our fur babies home during a very dark place in my life and they made every day better. It was a comfort to have these two little gremlins to wake up to and return home to, knowing that they depended on me for their care. No matter how bad I was feeling, just being around them always helped to lift my spirits. Even though they can’t clean their own litter box (I wish!), they take care of me too. My mental health has improved one hundred fold because of them and they truly came into our lives at just the right time. I love them so much! ❤

Happy (late) Gotcha Day to my sweet Melvin and Penelope. The most wonderful bunnies in all the land! Johnny and I love you both!!!

Do you celebrate your pet’s Gotcha Day? How has your pet helped you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct30

Reduce Your Stress In 5 Steps

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Reduce Your Stress In 5 Steps

In life, we all deal with stress for various reasons. However, we do not need to live life feeling stressed. We should live life feeling happy and calm. If you feel that you are overly stressed and do not know how to reduce it and regain your quality of life and happiness, follow these steps:

Consult a chiropractor:

Many people assume that a chiropractor can only help with back pain and neck aches. But they are capable of so much more. If you are feeling stressed out, they are a great person to talk to. You will be shocked at how much assistance they can provide. Reducing stress and improving your daily well-being can be achieved by making minor adjustments to your joints and muscles. If you are interested in visiting a chiropractor, simply enter a search for “Chiropractor Near Me“. Seek a practice that has excellent reviews and customer testimonials.

Strive for a harmonious work-life balance.

It is essential that you achieve a healthy work-life balance; otherwise, you can risk experiencing a lot of stress for no reason. For example, you are doing nothing but working if you are not taking enough breaks during the workday and taking your holidays. Taking pauses can help your mind clear and concentrate, keeping you composed and preventing unneeded tension.

Make every effort to enhance your work-life balance if you believe that your job is giving you a lot of stress. You will discover the mental and physical benefits of an exercise class after work, as well as the mental benefits of a ten minute break. And, be sure to pamper yourself during your downtime too. Whether that be taking a long soak in the tub or even booking an appointment for acupuncture to soothe stress. To begin finding a practitioner near you, simply enter a search for “acupuncture clinic London” (or your local area) and explore the different services available.

Breathe deeply and meditate:

Some people do not realize the amazing effects and benefits of managing stress through meditation and deep breathing techniques. People can stay calm and in the present moment by engaging in these mindful practices. All it takes to control your cortisol levels and ensure that you do not experience needless stress during the day is a few minutes of deep breathing or meditation each morning.

For some people, vape devices may offer them a complementary means to supplement their deep breathing practices. When they choose vape liquid with soothing flavors or aromas, they may find it easier to relax and focus on their breathing exercises. While meditation and deep breathing alone are powerful practices, when combined with tools that enhance relaxation, it can create an even more enjoyable and tailored experience. It’s important that you are mindful of both the quality and composition of the vape liquid to make sure that it aligns with your overall health and well-being goals.

Cut down on screen time:

Cutting back on your screen time will be very beneficial for stress management and relief. The extent to which screen time can negatively impact your stress levels and mental health will astound you. You will undoubtedly feel more at ease and content when you go to bed and throughout the evening if you cut down on your screen time each night.

Get more rest:

When it comes to lowering your stress levels, one of the best things you can do is to get more sleep. Your body and mind may feel extremely stressed and exhausted if you are not getting enough sleep. Setting a daily goal of 7 to 9 hours is crucial. That is okay if you can not get this much sleep or if you need less. On the other hand, you will worsen your health and experience more stress if you do not prioritize getting enough sleep. You will undoubtedly feel more at ease and be able to sleep for a longer period of time if you go to bed earlier and put down your phone a few hours before.

These simple steps can be incorporated in your life immediately to help start reducing your stress!

Featured Image By: Leah Kelley

Oct16

How To Bring A Little Joy Into Your Life

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How To Bring A Little Joy Into Your Life

Many times in a person’s life they can find themselves feeling stuck in a rut, deflated, or that there is nothing positive happening. If you feel like this, then it could be for many reasons. One of which could simply be that you are not giving yourself the time you deserve to enjoy the possibilities that life is presenting you. So, whether it is cutting out negative habits, creating new and healthy ones, or simply allowing yourself time to relax, here are several ways in which you can bring a little joy into your life:

Limit your time on social media:

Social media is still a relatively new thing as far as human existence goes. Although it has brought about many new and exciting possibilities, it also has some fairly negative attributes associated with it. Many people can find themselves consuming social media for hours, and letting the days slip by without doing the important things that make them happy. When consuming a large amount of social media it can be hard to detach from what you are consuming, and many people find themselves constantly comparing their lives to those they see online. Both of these situations can impact your mental health in a negative way, and suck the joy out of your life. To combat this, you should consider limiting your time on social media, and instead give that free time to yourself. Even if you do nothing and simply relax, this is better than an all evening social media session.

Find something fun to do outside:

It is no secret that many people, whether they realize it or not, gain huge benefits and satisfaction by spending time outside. If you can couple that with doing a fun activity or having new experiences, then you will significantly increase the joy you experience in life. Whether you live by the sea or a lake and want to learn the basics about paddle boarding, or perhaps if you live near the woods and want to explore your local areas and find out about all the wildlife, consider getting yourself outside and doing something fun to live more fully.

Make time for your loved ones:

Humans are meant to be social creatures. Although it’s perfectly fine to spend time alone, often you will experience a larger amount of joy when spending time with loved ones. This could be anything from taking a vacation together, to simply eating regular meals together. As long as you are enjoying each other’s company is all that matters!

Treat yourself:

If you want to truly boost your happiness in life, you need to learn how to be your own best friend. Do you need to take a break? Take it. Do you want to have that treat? Have it. Do you want to do something different? Do it. Self-love is one of the best ways in which a person can bring a little extra joy into their life.

There are many other ways in which you can bring joy into your life, but why not consider these first?

Featured Image By: Pexels