WHY ARE YOU NOT HAPPY? - Part 2

Today we shall continue with the serialization of the eBook "Happiness 2Day", also available in Audio version. You can find all the details by visiting the Happiness2Day website, or simply order your copies using the links at the end of this part.

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WHY ARE YOU NOT HAPPY?

It makes very good sense to consider why you aren't happy. After all, it's much easier to cure a problem when you have an understanding of some of its causes and symptoms.

Now it’s possible you may have some unique issue that's wrecking your sense of well being. In that case, some serious self-reflection is in order. But my guess is you will be much, much more likely to find the root of your unhappiness in the list that follows. These are the things that drag the vast majority of us down, so take a minute to know your enemy!

You are a Worrier

The world can be roughly split between worriers and warriors. Those who over-worry are, of course, much unhappier. Now being a "warrior", in this sense, has nothing to do with things like violence or the military. It's

all about having the courage to face what life has to offer. How much time a day and night do you spend worrying? Don't you think there's much more constructive ways to spend your time? Of course there is.

You are a Grudge Holder

There's times in life when people do things to us that are downright nasty. It's a fact which we can't escape. What we can escape however is how we react to these situations. By holding a grudge we release a sort of slow poison in our own system that's guaranteed to slowly kill our happiness. Not only does this NOT effect the person who did us wrong, but it actually damages us on top of whatever wrong we initially experienced (real or imagined). Forgiving and forgetting has been universal spiritual advice for a good reason. It keeps us happy!

You Play the Comparison Game

Happiness is not about what you "have" compared to others, despite what the overwhelmingly materialistic bias of our culture may tell you. If your neighbor has the latest television, you buying the same television the next

day won't ever make you truly happy. Happiness is based on internal factors more than not, and when you play the comparison game I can guarantee you, you will NEVER come out a winner.

You Isolate Yourself

Loneliness is a terrible feeling. Things seem much worse and problems much more daunting when you consider and face them alone. If you have the tendency to isolate yourself this could be a huge part of why you feel unhappy. Humans are social creatures. We need to be around others who we care about and who care about us to be happy.

You Surround Yourself with Negative People

Negative people spread unhappiness like a virus. If you look at your inner circle and it has more than its share of those who never have a good word to say, it's time to make a big change. Not only is their outlook hurting their own chance of happiness, it's hurting yours too!

You are Unhealthy

Poor diet and lack of exercise creates the perfect environment for unhappiness to take root. Your body is your temple and when it's treated like a garbage can it's not a shock that happiness will escape you. Have you ever noticed how much more pleasant fit people tend to be?

Now this list isn't exhaustive, but it should be enough to give you an idea which area (or areas) may be causing you the most difficulty. Understanding the problem is our first step to overcoming it. So don't worry, happiness is right around the corner!

TO BE CONTINUED...

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Anxiety Attacks

Anxiety or panic attacks are sudden periods of intense anxiety, fear and discomfort. While these attacks might seem to happen for no reason, they're actually the body's response to what it perceives as the need for fight or flight.

The attacks usually last about ten minutes, but can be as short as one minute. In severe cases, these attacks can happen in cycles. These cycles may last for extended periods. These cycles can cause anticipation anxiety between episodes.

Physical symptoms of anxiety attacks generally include shortness of breath, heart palpitations and sweating. Tingling and numbness in the extremities, dizziness, lightheadedness, headaches and nausea are also commonly experienced. These may appear to be random, but they're actually the result of the body's preparations for protection.

The anxiety attack is brought on by a sudden onset of fear. In response, the body releases adrenaline followed by increases in the heart and breathing rate and production of sweat (to regulate body temperature). These actions prepare the body for the physical activities of fighting or escaping. Because the anticipated strenuous activity rarely follows the panic attack, these reactions result in physical discomfort.

The increased heart rate is felt as heart palpitations. Rapid breathing (hyperventilation) results in a drop in carbon dioxide levels in the lungs and blood. This leads to the tingling, numbness, dizziness and lightheadedness. The adrenaline causes a narrowing of the blood vessels which results in less blood flow to the head. This also contributes to the lightheadedness and headaches.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Joy through good health!

There is nothing more important to your happiness

factor than taking proper care of your body.

There is nothing better than a good night’s sleep to

make you feel better. Well, maybe a perfect diet,

proportioned in fat, carbohydrates, proteins and

calories. Oh, I almost forgot the benefit of a good

exercise program will do wonders for your health and

well-being.

Taking care of your health is an integral part of

taking care of your mental well-being. It’s hard to

feel happy if you don’t get proper nutrition, sleep or

exercise, no matter how hard you try to keep a

positive attitude. If you don’t feel rested or fueled,

happiness is going to be just beyond your reach.

Take time to get the rest you need. Go to bed earlier

than usual, but don’t disturb your natural rhythm too

much. Eat smaller meals, but more frequently, to keep

your blood sugar levels regular. Eat fresh foods; lots

of fresh fruit and vegetables will help keep your

energy levels up, and make sure to include some

proteins for long-term energy.

Exercise tells your brain to release “happy hormones”,

called endorphins. Regular exercise that makes you

breathe just a little bit hard helps you to burn fat

and to get the added benefit of the endorphins that

give you a burst of energy and a sense of well-being.

Take control of your own body as a way of making

yourself happier. By making better food choices,

getting plenty of quality rest and getting more

exercise is a sure-fire way of increasing you “happy

factor”.

Choose Happiness Today

Is happiness a choice? Yes! Many happy people realize happiness is a choice and it’s up to them to intentionally choose it every single day.

Happy people are not held hostage by their circumstances and they do not seek happiness in people or possessions.

They understand that when we stop chasing the world’s definition of happiness, we begin to see the decision to experience happiness has been right in front of us all along. Research in the field of positive psychology continues to reinforce this understanding.

But simply knowing that happiness is a choice is not enough. Fully experiencing it still requires a conscious decision to choose happiness each day. How then might each of us begin to experience this joy?

Endorphins the Happy Hormone

Endorphins are natural hormones that your brain
releases when it senses happiness. These endorphins
give you a sense of happiness, satisfaction and
well-being; they tell you all is well with your body.

It’s that relaxed sense after a good meal, a good
workout, a good laugh or great sex.

Endorphins are produced in the pituitary gland and the
hypothalamus gland and release an opioid-like
secretion that masks pain with a natural analgesic and

tells the body that all is fine with the world.

Acupuncture has been found to have the ability to
release these compounds and relieve pain, at least for the short term, and to leave you with a wonderful sense of wellbeing.

Exercise, extreme happiness, good food and orgasm
releases natural endorphins, and endorphins make you feel happy and satisfied with life.

The more often you can stimulate your brain to release these natural hormones, the better you will feel, and the easier it will be to put yourself into this happy
state of being.

Endorphins cannot be bought; only through your own
effort can you bring them into being.

There is no downside to putting yourself into the position of happiness, either through laughter, sex, food or exercise.

Happy creates happy; it is a cycle that

you should never break and you should take every chance to spur these hormones on. Let them do what they do naturally; light their fire and reap the benefits!