“The trouble with life is that you’re half way through it before you realize that it’s a ‘do it yourself thing ‘”

10 Point Health and Happiness Plan

Ten Things to focus on to help you increase your happiness levels..

1)    GRATITUDE – is fantastic, being grateful  for what we have will make a positive difference to our happiness. Its very difficult to be unhappy if you are grateful. Everyone has something to be grateful for. Just being alive for one. Having a job, or enough money for lunch, or a roof over your head are all things we can be grateful that we have, but we often take these for granted.

2)    THINK POSITIVE- If you are being grateful then being positive flows from that. We think thousands of thoughts a day and most of them are the same thoughts. So If we tend towards  the negative then its no surprise that we might be unhappy The way to increase positive thought is to become aware of what you are thinking so that you can change it. So notice your thoughts.

3)    DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT –  How often do you think about your happiness, do you know what you need to make you happy ? We make a lot of assumptions in daily life and one common one is to assume that someone knows what we need. Take responsibility for getting your needs met.

4)    EXERCISE YOUR MIND – The  mind is like a muscle, it  needs to be stretched pleasurably, whether you study, read ,watch films its important to step out of your comfort zone. Look at the things you avoid doing and ask yourself why ?  Do something different and preferably just that bit scary !

5)    EXERCISE YOUR BODY –  We all know the physical benefits of exercise but did you know its good for your  mental health increasing your heartbeat at least once a  day. Exercise is known to release endorphins that give you a  happiness boost. Physical activity is a great way to instantly increase your sense of well-being.

6)    BREATHE –  You may not realize it, but your breath is the most important  thing in your life .  Where would you be without it ?  Paying attention to your breathing will tell you a lot about how you are feeling. ?  Your breath is a great support in stressful situations.

7)    MEDITATE – Take time out in a day to do nothing. regularly sit and do nothing  just 10 mins   listen to soothing music. spend time in peace, in the bath , in nature …what do you love to do ? Make time to do it.

8)    BE GENEROUS –  with your time and with your thoughts. A kind word, helping your colleagues, stopping your car at the crossroad to let people cross, giving your seat in a bus to someone else, or giving a small present to someone you love. The possibilities are infinite. When you make someone happy, you become happy, and then people try to make you happy. Everywhere you go everyone you meet think of yourself as a gift.

9)    LAUGH –. Smile more often. Spend quality time with good friends, watch funny films read funny books. Seek out happy people. It is easy to think negatively when you are surrounded by people who think that way. Associate with happy people, remember, happiness is contagious.

10)    ACCEPT – yourself and others. We have been taught to judge others but we are harshest of all on ourselves.  If you make a mistake or something goes wrong forgive yourself and move on.


About Mari Sullivan

Mari is a qualified Personal and Business Coach based in West Cork . She is passionate about people and believes that we are on this earth to live and enjoy life to the full. Through Coaching, writing articles and running workshops, her aim is to help people reconnect  with themselves and  identify what they truly want to achieve in their lives. She is a  member of the Life and Business Coaching Association Ireland (LBCAI).

Contact Mari Sullivan on 086 152 3432 www.westcorklifecoach.com