Catch the Happiness Bug!

When we think of the word “contagious,” we may think of negative things such as the Flu, common colds, or other viruses and bugs that could possibly harm us. Studies have shown, however, that there are incidences where contagiousness is not necessarily a bad thing. Through research conducted by Harvard University and the University of California, San Diego, they found that happiness can be spread through social networks. Specifically, they found that if an individual is happy, their friend’s happiness could increase by 25%. Furthermore, they found that this happiness can be spread to friends of friends as well, making a more positive social network. When reading this study, I particularly gathered two big meanings from it. The first one is to surround yourself with happiness. If happiness is contagious, make sure to be around those that bring your mood up instead of inversely bring it down. Reflect on family and friends that you interact with that make you happy and appreciate the time you have with them that contributes to your overall mood. The second one is that you have the ability to brighten someone’s day. Contagiousness can go both ways, meaning that you too can boost someone’s mood. Allow yourself to recognize the emotions of your friends and family, and continue to give them support and kindness so that happiness can be spread throughout.

Dancing for Happiness: The Fitness Marshall

If you love dancing your heart out to catchy music, you should definitely check out The Fitness Marshall! Caleb Marshall has been making upbeat dance workout videos (that are really more like a dance party than exercise!) for years. We know dancing releases endorphins (the happy hormones!) and helps people get their bodies moving. And along with the physical and mental benefits, Caleb’s peppy, fun, energy-filled attitude makes the dances so enjoyable! He and two other fellow dancers walk you through each step and mirror the movements. The channel has light, moderate, and heavy sweat playlists to match your dance goals. He also has 30 and 60-minute “sweat sessions” for those who want a longer workout routine rather than a fun 5-minute groove! Whether you want to dance for 5 or 50 minutes, this channel has a routine for everyone! Ready to dance to the beat? Check out this easy, low-impact cardio workout to the song “Love Shack” by the B-52’s! Want something heavier? Try this workout to Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance”! Remember, happiness and fitness are a journey, and dancing with The Fitness Marshall makes that journey a joyful ride!

Joy and Balance Through Yoga

Life can feel really chaotic and stressful at times. You might feel like you are always running around, doing work, and do not have time to breathe. If you need a way to decompress and become present, try yoga! Along with its physical benefits, yoga is a holistic journey that nurtures both body and soul, leaving lasting happiness. 

  1. Harmony: Yoga is a great way to connect your mind and body through purposeful breathing, mindfulness, and movement. This reduces stress and anxiety while boosting relaxation and mood. 
  2. Happy Hormones: Doing yoga releases endorphins, which boost your mood.
  3. Being Present: Mindfulness in yoga is super important! Doing yoga can help you center yourself and become more present. Savor the moment.
  4. Gratitude: Yoga encourages gratitude towards your body and mind’s abilities to keep you healthy and grounded.  
  5. Self-care: Yoga is a total act of self-care! It is all about trusting and getting in tune with your mind and body. 

Incorporating yoga into your daily/weekly routine is a great way to center yourself physically and mentally. You do not have to become a yoga enthusiast to benefit significantly from the practice. It is about embracing the journey and progress. So, when you are feeling extra stressed, take a second, breathe, strike a yoga pose, and let your body unwind.

10 Feel-Good Songs to Instantly Boost Your Mood

Music has a remarkable power to uplift our spirits and bring joy into our lives. Whether you are feeling down or simply looking to listen to some fun tunes, the right song can be an instant mood lifter! So, rather than just reiterating the numerous mental benefits of music, I thought I would curate a playlist full of upbeat, happy songs to listen to! 

  1. “Walking on Sunshine” – Katrina and the Waves
  2. “Happy” – Pharrell Williams
  3. “Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey
  4. “Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
  5. “Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles
  6. “Shut Up and Dance” – Walk the Moon
  7. “Dancing Queen” – ABBA
  8. “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” – Justin Timberlake
  9. “Shake It Off” – Taylor Swift
  10. “Good Vibrations” – The Beach Boys

So, the next time you are feeling low or need a pick-me-up, turn to these feel-good songs and let the power of music work its magic. Create your personalized happiness playlist and let the positive vibes flow through your day!

The Pawsitive Power of Pets

Owning a pet is a unique experience that can significantly improve our well-being. Pets enrich our lives with love. Their unconditional affection and amusing antics brighten our days and remind us to cherish every moment spent with them. But along with the happiness they bring, pets can also help us humans with our health. This specific study by Karen Allen and others, along with other studies, shows that spending time with pets reduces stress, anxiety, and even lowers blood pressure. Even if you do not have the time or resources to take care of an animal, there are numerous benefits to just watching animal videos! A study conducted by the University of Leeds showed how animal videos can lower your anxiety, heart rate, and blood pressure. You can find these videos on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram. These endearing antics, whether it is a cat getting scared by a cucumber or a dog gleefully frolicking in leaves, showcase the playful and joyful nature of our beloved pets.

Reflect On Those You Trust!


Trust has been linked to positive moods and happiness and many studies have explored this idea. Trust, the ability to have faith and ease to tell someone something or do something, is important in our lives. It is important to communicate with those you trust so that you can share your thoughts, emotions, feelings and whatever else you may be thinking of that you don’t want to keep only inside your head. Reflect on those that you can trust. This could be your therapist, your friends, your family, anybody! Take this one step further and reflect on how these people have been there for you and have helped you through times that you may have needed someone to lean on. Note how your overall mood is when you think about these individuals and maybe even think about telling them how much they are appreciated. Trust is a great tool in our lives and is one that can benefit our happiness levels throughout.

Snack with Fruit!

We have discussed before that diet has some implications on our mental wellbeing. In a study conducted last year in the UK, researchers tested this idea further by seeing whether snacking on fruit as opposed to savory non-nutritional food items like chips, would have any correlations with mental health. They found that those that snacked on fruit had higher levels of mental wellbeing and lower levels of depression. In contrast, those that snacked more on the savory non-nutritional food items reported higher frequencies of mental lapses which was associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as generally lower mental wellbeing scores. Although diet and mental health research is not as prevalent, these findings do imply some sort of connection. With this being said, try to snack on healthier items like fruit instead of chips or sweets to see if your mood and mental wellbeing is improved by it!

Yoga Happiness!

If you are feeling stressed or anxious, or even have trouble with your sleeping behaviors, yoga may be a great activity to start engaging in! Research conducted by Harvard explains that with consistent yoga practice, and the mindfulness that accompanies it, people tend to exhibit positive outcomes such as better sleep, better body awareness, weight loss, improved levels of compassion and gratitude which all feed into improved happiness levels. Focusing on the positive sleep outcomes from yoga, Harvard’s research also explains that due to yoga’s ability to reduce stress, anxiety, and arousal, these aspects can help minimize poor sleeping activity and allow you to feel more calm and relaxed when it is time to go to bed. With this being said, if you are trying to find a nice, short, daily activity that can benefit your overall emotions and happiness, try out yoga. It doesn’t need to be at a class either! There are many great videos online that take you through a guided yoga session for you to do in the comfort of your own home! Namaste!

Reading in the Sun is Fun!

With the nice summer air, cloudless skies, and the sun’s beaming light coming down, it is important to get outside and enjoy these beautiful  summer months. One activity that is simple and can get your mind engaged as well as get you outside on a nice summer day is reading outside! For one, the sun’s natural light is less straining for your eyes, giving you a less uncomfortable and more relaxed experience when reading the pages of your book of choice. Reading outside also heightens your senses, allowing you to be more in tune with your surroundings and more in tune with the nice ambience of the outdoors. Furthermore, studies have shown that reading outside in the sun lowers your stress levels by minimizing the stress hormone cortisol. So, with implications of reading outside keeping you more concentrated, more in tune with the book and your surroundings, as well as more relaxed, try to get out in the nice summer weather and enjoy an exciting book to take a break and find some happiness!

Switch Up Your Hair!

Cutting or coloring your hair can make you feel like a new person! If you feel like you’re in a slump or want to change up your style, changing your hair can be a great way to gain confidence. You can try a new color, or even light highlights if you don’t want to change your hairdo too much. Try some new layers, lengths, or bang styles. There is so much to explore! The internet has made looking up hairstyle inspiration so simple. And, if you want an at-home project, you can dye your hair yourself (though I recommend doing a lot of research before doing this!). Though this is the harder way, many times it’s cheaper and makes you feel even more accomplished since you did it yourself!
Lastly, even if you don’t want to switch up your hairdo, getting a fresh haircut or styling your hair a different way can still make you feel good!

SCHEDULE
AN APPOINTMENT

Please fill in the information below and we will email you with an appointment date/time.

(We are open 9am-8pm M-F and 9am-5/7pm Saturdays; please feel free to call 919-572-0000 directly during those hours to schedule as well.)

Schedule Appointment or Request a Call Back