Feel good for the holidays and beyond

Smile
  :) Smile in the Mirror as if it is what it is there for (:
Put a smiley note on your mirror :) if needed but always, always be smiling at your reflection :) and you will always see yourself as smiling in your thoughts (: When you are out or among family and loved ones and smiling :) others will notice and many will instinctively smile back :) (:


Gratitude
  Thankfulness and gratitude couldn’t be more important to have because there is actual science to back up what it does for us physiologically. Study after study, confirm that people who have high levels of gratitude and thankfulness have higher levels of serotonin. Serotonin is produced in the brain and in the digestive tract and is known as the “feel good” chemical. People who are mindful and frequently pause to express thanks and gratitude have less depression and higher immune function.

Exercise
  Exercise decreases the stress hormones such as cortisol and increases endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s natural feel good chemicals, and when they are released through exercise, your mood is boosted naturally. As well endorphins, exercise also releases adrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine. These chemicals work together to make you feel good.

Laugh
  When have you felt the absolute best feelings in your life? I’m willing to bet dollars to donuts that you felt pretty sensational after you found yourself laughing hard…either at a funny movie…a friend’s joke…or while listening to a comedian. Maybe somebody played a practical joke on someone in the office and you laughed yourself to tears. Laughing is found to lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, increase muscle flexion, and boost immune function by raising levels of infection-fighting T-cells, disease-fighting proteins called Gamma-interferon and B-cells, which produce disease-destroying antibodies. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, and produces a general sense of well-being

These are a few tools to realize the happiness within us all and I hope you find them useful fun and fulfilling ;)
Chris