By Paige Leigh Reist | Posted : January 09, 2019
What if we told you that one of the secrets of fulfillment was being kind to yourself?
This week’s Wellness Roundup is all about happiness; specifically, how focusing on your own happiness actually transforms the world around you. Whether it’s treating yourself with more compassion, or finding motivation to stick to new healthy routines, these articles will help you make it through the week feeling great.
Debunk the Myths about Self-Compassion and Treat Yourself as Well as You Treat Others for Greater Happiness
Nikita Singh for Art of Living
Do you ever feel as though you’re doing everything you can to succeed, and you just can’t seem to get where you want to be? Does this impact your self-esteem and self-worth? In this article, Nikita Singh offers her insight on the nature of self-compassion, and the roots of why we are so hesitant to extend the same kindnesses we do to others to ourselves. She reminds us that it’s important to be gentle with and forgiving of our perceived failures, missteps, and faults:
“When we’re harsh on ourselves, it activates the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) and elevates the stress hormones like cortisol in our bloodstream, with long-term implications for our health and happiness. Self-compassion, on the other hand, triggers the mammalian caregiving system, and hormones of affiliation, such as oxytocin. Oxytocin is associated with a feeling of high well-being, which allows us to hold the truth without attacking ourselves.”
How to Stay Motivated When Making Health Changes
Katie Wells for Wellness Mama
Once that initial New Year’s gusto wears off, how do you stay motivated on your health and wellness journey? Katie Wells outlines her best tips for maintaining momentum, even when you feel like you want to give up:
- Have a clear vision of your goal and your “why”
- Set action steps toward your goal
- Create checkpoints
- Keep learning
- Buddy up for accountability
- Give yourself rewards
- Repeat until a habit
Click through for a more thorough exploration of each!
Why We Should Seek Happiness Even in Hard Times
Jill Suttie interviewing Jack Kornfield for Greater Good Magazine
Buddhist psychologist and author Jack Kornfield, in conversation with Jill Suttie, speaks on why it is so important to consistently, unfailingly strive to be compassionate, kind, and full of gratitude, even when it feels impossible.
“It’s a joy to spread well-being, but it’s also a moral force. When the Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh explained this, he said that when the crowded refugee boats met with storms and pirates, if everyone panicked, all would be lost. But if even one person in the boat remained centered and calm, it was enough to show the way for everyone to survive. We become that person on the boat of the world when we center ourselves with a peaceful heart, with a spirit of care and well-being. This affects all those around us.”
7 Mantras to Increase Your Happiness
Heidi Richards Mooney for Sivana East
As Heidi Richards Mooney knows, our words have power, and sometimes all we need for a boost of happiness and self-esteem is to remind ourselves with our words that we are worthy. These simple, easy-to-remember mantras will help keep you afloat: click through to read more!
- I Am Amazing
- I Am Grateful
- I Love Myself at All Times
This week, we encourage you to prioritize your happiness! It’s not only wonderful for your own wellness, but and the wellness of the people around you. Make the world a happier place!
Have a suggestion for our Weekly Wellness Roundup? Send your article to blog@us.artofliving.org.
Paige Leigh Reist is a writer, editor, blogger, and creative writing instructor.
