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Add a Little Happy to Your Life

Everyone is so busy these days. There is so much to do and so little time to get it done. With all the stress, how do you stay happy? While happiness is something that comes and goes, try some of these ideas to make it come more often than it goes. 

q       Find time to play. Enjoy interests and hobbies and family and friends.

q       Learn to say no. Know when you are taking on too much and politely tell people you are not available.

q       Relax every day. Even if you only have a few minutes, take time to breathe and do nothing.

q       Laugh as often as possible.

q       Develop friendships and other intimate relationships.

q       Learn how to express your feelings and ask for what you want in a positive manner.

q       Show gratitude. Take time each day to think or write about the things for which you are grateful.

q       Reach out to others. Whether it is assisting a friend in need or volunteering in your community, helping others gives you a boost.

q       Exercise 30 minutes to one hour three to five times a week. This stimulates your body to release mood-enhancing chemicals like endorphins and dopamine and also influences serotonin levels for a natural Prozac effect.

q       Stand tall and proud. Happy people keep their heads up and use proper posture.

q       If you are feeling low, remember past achievements and positive experiences for an immediate lift.

q       Maintain a positive outlook.

q       Surround yourself with positive people. They can lift your spirits.

 

Avoid Eye Strain at Your Computer 

If you spend most of your workday staring at a computer monitor, you may notice an abnormal number of red blood vessels in the whites of your eyes. Prolonged work at a computer is a strain on your eyes and can lead to engorged blood vessels, creating the illusion of new blood vessels. Dry, itchy eyes are another sign of this type of eyestrain, referred to as computer-vision syndrome. Here are several tips to avoid the problem:

 

1. Rest your eyes regularly. Take breaks away from the computer.
2. Blink frequently to keep moisture moving to your corneas.
3. Reduce the glare from your monitor by adjusting the light around your desk or use a screen filter.
4. Place your monitor at or just below eye level.
5. Keep the distance between your eyes and the monitor about the same distance as you would use while reading a book.
6. Check the prescriptions of your eyeglasses or contacts regularly to be sure they are correct.
7. Upgrade to a liquid-crystal-display monitor or another model with a high refresh rate that flickers less.

– Adapted from Consumer Reports on Health