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Stand by the stove: daily habits that will make you happier
Learning to enjoy the little things is easy if you live by certain rules.
Scientists are still trying to explain the state of euphoria in terms of medicine. The most common theory is that happiness is associated with a surge in hormones such as endorphins (which are produced by the nervous system to reduce physical pain), serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin (the “attachment hormone”). The latter is produced during childbirth, during breastfeeding, and also during intimacy.
Of course, it is impossible to be happy 24 hours a day, but living in harmony is real. This can be learned from the Danes, who are considered the happiest nation in the world. The writer Helen Russell, in her book “Hugge, or Cozy Happiness in Danish”, highlighted the main things that make any person’s life better. The rules are simple: you need to trust others more, not be greedy, remember the usual joys, enjoy yourself, be proud of any success and value your family.
You can argue endlessly. Tatiana Ovsienko, in a simple song, deduced a simple formula for female happiness: if he was cute next to her. And the crow from the cartoon about the brownie Kuzyu believed that “happiness is when everyone is at home.” Some psychologists are sure that this concept is associated with freedom of choice. And yet, everyone agrees on one opinion: it is impossible to enjoy life without doing anything. If you want to be happy, develop certain habits.
Clean up your home more often
Get rid of old and unnecessary things ruthlessly. Trash and dust not only clog up the space, but also cause depression. In a clean and comfortable apartment, you think differently. Remember the cult Hollywood movie “Overboard”, a woman was able to become happy after she cleaned her house. By the way, it is useful to clean your phone of unnecessary contacts and messages at least once a month.
In the USSR, women spent all their free time at the stove. There was always soup for lunch, and the refrigerator was full of various pickles and preserves. For the holidays, they baked homemade cakes. Today even salads are bought in culinary shops. Cooking is also a special ritual that brings joy. Agree, what a romantic dinner with pizza from a supermarket can be.
An evening outfit must be in the wardrobe. On this occasion, there is a wonderful quote from Remarque’s novel “Life on loan”: “In moments of hard emotional distress, dresses can become either good friends or sworn enemies; without their help, a woman feels completely lost, but when they help her, like friendly hands, it is much easier for a woman in a difficult moment. There is not an ounce of vulgarity in all this, we just must not forget how important little things are in life. “
Good always comes back. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on charity. You can visit a sick neighbor, fulfill the wish of a child from an orphanage by buying a Lego set, make a birdhouse, feed a homeless dog. There are many options. The main thing is for other people to feel the warmth of your heart.
Even if you were born an owl, try to become an early bird. Only in the morning can you enjoy the silence, correctly plan your working day, and experience the pleasure of breakfast. Doctors are confident that early awakening improves overall well-being (pressure decreases, oxygen levels in the brain increase).
You can’t be happy if you don’t like your own appearance. It is very important to believe in your attractiveness. For this, it is not necessary to undergo plastic surgery. It is much more important to gain confidence in your irresistibility. In this case, do not forget about leaving. Hairstyle, manicure, make-up, a smile and clothing that flatter the figure – and you will see a completely different person in the mirror.
Helen Russell, living in Denmark, noticed that it is tradition that allows Danes to feel that their life from year to year follows the path of familiar comfort. There are also many holidays in Russia with cute ceremonies and rituals. For Easter, everyone dyes eggs and bakes cakes, for New Year they prepare Olivier salads and herring under a fur coat. On Victory Day, everyone watches a military parade and remembers the front-line soldiers. By the way, scientists from the University of Minnesota recently conducted research and confirmed that such rituals bring joy to life.
Meet more often with loved ones
Happy people are always hospitable, the doors of their homes are open to friends and relatives. Kitchen gatherings until late at night give positive emotions. Moreover, in restaurants you still feel stiffness and tension. You can only truly relax at home. It is very important to appreciate family dinners or just soulful conversations with mom over a cup of tea. Live communication is much better than virtual communication. And it is also very useful sometimes to fall into childhood and fool around: arrange a pillow fight, fly a kite, run barefoot on the grass.
Go in for sports and self-education
Many gyms were closed last year due to the pandemic. Quarantine made me start running. This is a great habit that you don’t have to get rid of. Scientists are confident that running can not only lose a couple of extra pounds, but also cope with depression. Morning jogging in the forest, as well as a contrast shower, are especially useful. In addition to sports, do not forget about hobbies. Get rid of the endless route: work – home – work. Attend lectures, exhibitions, learn foreign languages, read books.