How To Enjoy Life — Because We Could All Use A Little Help Right Now
As much as we don’t like being reminded of our mortality, we all know that, while some parts of life seem to last forever, life is actually quite short. Since we only have one shot at this, we might as well try to have fun and find ways to be happy and joyful — even in the midst of a global pandemic that has cut us off from the rest of the world. But as anyone who has ever had a bad day — or who suffers from a mental health condition such as anxiety or depression — knows, that’s easier said than done. Though there is no single secret to happiness, enjoying life (if only! ), or breaking free from a rut.There are, however, active steps we can all take to make our daily lives a little more pleasant. Here are five ways to have fun in life.
How To Enjoy Life — Because We Could All Use A Little Help Right Now
Discover Your Favorite Things
Yes, this may seem obvious, but in order to know what will help you enjoy life, you must first pause and reflect on what exactly brings you joy. What are your favourite activities, people, and places? Of course, your preferences change from day to day, so create a daily ritual that revolves around enjoyment. “As soon as you wake up, ask yourself, ‘What do I most look forward to today?'” writes Dr. Jonathan Fader on Psychology Today. “At the end of the day, ask yourself, “What was the most enjoyable part of my day, and why?”
Keep a Sharp Eye
It may appear that words like “meditation” and “mindfulness” are thrown around a lot, and you may believe that you are not the type of person who can benefit from them. However, being mindful simply means being aware of and acknowledging your surroundings. As an example, consider food and eating. According to studies, being mindful while eating allows you to enjoy your food more. “Whenever you eat, try to concentrate for one minute on the taste of your food.” “How do you like it?” Fader is a writer. “Try to identify the various sensations. Salty? Sweet? Bitter? Sour? If you’re eating with someone, make a note of each observation.”And it is not limited to food. Take a moment to look around the next time you’re outside. Being aware of your surroundings, especially when it comes to nature, can help you appreciate and enjoy the world around you more.
Be kind with yourself.
You may be on your dream vacation, participating in an activity you’ve been looking forward to your entire life, but if you’re berating yourself over something minor — like things not going as planned — the experience will be less joyful. Practice self-compassion and self-care instead. However, for many people, this is easier said than done. “Many of us must learn to be sympathetic to ourselves. It feels so far away, so exotic. And that’s fine,” writes Margarita Tartakovsky for PsychCentral. “Because self-compassion is a talent we can hone, whether or whether we’ve been beating ourselves up for years.” The more you practise and act in a nice manner, the more natural it will become.”
Get some rest.
It’s difficult to appreciate anything — even activities you generally enjoy — if you’re continuously fatigued. Self-care includes making sure you’re sleeping well (or at least giving yourself the opportunity to do so). According to Harvard University research, sleep and mood quality are linked – and if you don’t get enough ZZZs, you’ll feel angry and agitated, which will make enjoying life much more difficult. “If we are able to have a few excellent nights of sleep, our mood will improve,” says the Sleep Health Foundation. “A good night’s sleep is essential for our health and quality of life.”
A short search on Instagram using the hashtag #selfcare will reveal photo after photo of blowouts and manicures. And that could be exactly what you need to brighten your day and improve your spirits. However, for some, it may entail meditation or keeping a gratitude diary to record the good things in life. If you’re not sure where to begin or how to figure out what works best for you, we’ve compiled a list of nearly 100 strategies to begin practising self-care right now.
Inspiring Quotes on Enjoying Life to the Fullest
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” ― Eleanor Roosevelt
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” ― Helen Keller
“What you have to decide… is how you want your life to be. If your forever was ending tomorrow, would this be how you’d want to have spent it? Listen, the truth is, nothing is guaranteed. You know that more than anybody. So dont be afraid. Be alive.” ― Sarah Dessen
“Do anything, but let it produce joy.” ― Walt Whitman
“We’re so busy watching out for what’s just ahead of us that we don’t take time to enjoy where we are.” ― Bill Watterson
“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching”
― Gerard Way
“You were given life; it is your duty (and also your entitlement as a human being) to find something beautiful within life, no matter how slight.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert
“In all of living, have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.”
― Gordon B. Hinckley
“Enjoy life. There’s plenty of time to be dead.” ― Hans Christian Andersen
