Got Happiness?

From a nice hot shower to a jump into the ocean, water is nature's natural healer!

...And it’s no surprise, considering that the body itself is mostly water—just like the earth.

When you take the plunge, nerves carry impulses felt at the skin deeper into the body, where they work wonders: stimulating the immune system, influencing the production of stress hormones, invigorating the circulation and digestion, encouraging blood flow, and lessening pain sensitivity.

The transformational power of water is based on temperature and tempo. Heat soothes and relaxes the body, while cold stimulates and invigorates. Something as simple as a hot compress on the back of the neck can do the trick when you’re tense, and a cold face washing can snap you into it when you’re out of it. The motion of water against your skin triggers touch responses, and has a messaging effect (like jet bubbles in a hot tub, or the gentle pushing and pulling of waves).

Yet another enlightening point to consider: When you’re submerged in a bath, a pool, or the ocean, your body is relieved from the constant pull of gravity.

Take a load off!



Read more about hydrotherapy here: http://www.holistic-online.com/hydrotherapy.htm

While some of us may not equate cleaning with happiness, studies show that a tidy environment helps reduce stress, improve concentration, and encourage well-being. For one thing, you’ll know where your keys are.

4 tips for clearing the clutter:

• Go through piles of paperwork and recycle anything outdated.
• Do laundry whenever you have a full load.
• Dust and vacuum.
• Give away clothes you don’t wear, books you don’t read, and things you don’t need.


For more great cleaning ideas, check out http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Your-Room

Breathing is automatic, and easily taken for granted. While thinking about this-that-and-the-other, immersed in the world, you generally breathe into your chest…without filling the lungs to capacity. This shallow breathing gives you enough oxygen to stay alive, but deep abdominal breathing helps you thrive.

Beyond refreshing your mood, deeper breathing will also give you more energy, help the body eliminate waste, increase metabolism, improve circulation and muscle/joint health, regulate blood sugar levels, and contribute to a better night’s sleep!

Pay attention to breathing deeply into your stomach
• Whenever you feel anxious, afraid, nervous, sad, or angry.
• When you wake up in the morning and before you go to sleep.
• While stretching, exercising, eating, and walking.
• Before and after exams or quizzes.
• Anytime other time you remember.

Check out some breathing exercises at: http://cas.umkc.edu/casww/brethexr.htm

Running low? A twenty minute power nap can work wonders in your day! According to the National Sleep Foundation, it’s a great way to boost mood, alertness, and performance.

Napping isn’t just for preschoolers. With the demands of a heavy workload and a hectic schedule, your body and brain can take a beating. Consider the following:

• Planned napping (also called preparatory napping) involves taking a nap before you actually get sleepy. You may use this technique when you know that you will be up later than your normal bed time or as a mechanism to ward off getting tired earlier.

• Habitual napping is practiced when you generally take a nap at the same time each day. For example, if you notice that you always get tired in the afternoon, a short nap becomes a rejuvenating and relaxing routine.

• Emergency napping occurs when you are suddenly exhausted and cannot continue with the activity you were originally engaged in. This type of nap can be used to combat drowsy driving.

The modern world is go-go-go, a pace that is neither realistic nor healthy to maintain at all times. Napping is natural. Instead of picking up a cup of coffee (which further stresses the body), put your head down for a bit.


Find out more at http://stress.about.com/od/lowstresslifestyle/a/powernap.htm