INTERNATIONAL Day of Happiness is TODAY – and a top GP has revealed his tips to boost your mood.
Dr Mark Rowe is on a mission to put smiles on faces this spring.
The physician and author is emphasising the transformative power of gratitude in fostering happiness and emotional resilience.
‘Gratitude Deficiency Syndrome’, where people struggle to appreciate the positives in life is currently on a rise, according to Dr Rowe.
He explained: “Science shows that gratitude has profound effects on mental and physical health, from reducing stress to improving sleep and boosting overall happiness.
“By consciously acknowledging the good in our lives, we shift our focus from scarcity to abundance, enhancing our overall well-being.
“By practicing gratitude, we can create a ripple effect of positivity—not just within ourselves, but in our communities and beyond.
“The constant exposure to social media and external pressures can make people feel like they are never enough or that their lives are lacking, creating FOMO.
“This mindset can have a serious impact on emotional well-being, fueling a cycle of negativity and stress.”
Here are Dr MARK ROWE’S super easy practical tips for cultivating gratitude.
GRATITUDE JOURNALING
Many people use journaling as a form of self-care, whether it’s writing down anything that’s getting you down or using it for gratitude.
Dr Rowe recommends taking a few minutes each day to write down three things you are grateful for.
In turn, this helps to train the mind to focus on the positives.
It is a great way to remind yourself about the good things in your life and it can also be positive for your mental health.
When journaling, you are allowing yourself to have a place for self-expression, reflection, and personal insight, allowing you to explore yourself and get to know yourself better.
EXPRESS APPRECIATION
This not only makes you feel better, but can improve someone else’s mood too.
Dr Rowe recommends making it a habit to tell others that you appreciate them.
This can be done in person, through a text message or a handwritten note.
And in turn, it may make you feel happier knowing that they feel appreciated.
It can make the person feel valued, important and drive them to be the best version of themselves.
MINDFULNESS AND REFLECTION
Mindfulness is regarded as many as one of the best things you can do.
According to HelpGuide.org, it can help relieve stress, treat heart disease, lower blood pressure, reduce chronic pain, improve sleep, and alleviate gastrointestinal difficulties.
And reflecting on your achievements throughout the day is also great to help acknowledge the progress and positive steps you have taken.
It is also great for exploring parts of you, and learning what you can fix going forward.
Dr Rowe recommends spending time in nature, practicing deep breathing and meditating to stay present and recognise the beauty in everyday moments.
ACTS OF KINDNESS
Helping people with acts of kindness can not only spread positivity but also boost your own happiness.
There are many examples of things you can do, from little things to something with a little more thought.
For the other person, it can feel great for someone to help you out with something – especially if you’re busy or stressed, as you can help alleviate some of the tasks they need to get done.
And for you, you can feel happy knowing that you made someone’s day easier.
Or, pick some flowers for someone you care about to brighten their day, hold the door open for someone, or let someone go ahead of you in the queue.
LIMIT SOCIAL MEDIA CONSUMPTION
Social media can be a huge reason why we feel down sometimes, comparing our lives or looks to those we see online.
It can bring up feelings of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), jealousy or self-doubt.
But content is curated so you are only seeing the best, though this can be hard to forget when endlessly scrolling.
Dr Rowe advises people to cut down on their exposure to curated, idealised images online.
This can help you to focus more on your own life and what you have, rather than comparisons.
