Happiness starts with…
…connection
15-day happiness challenge
I challenge you to do this one thing for 15 days straight—scientifically proven to increase happiness, stress response, and cognitive function. (Skip below all this juicy info if you just need to know what the thing is.)
Let’s get personal
I used to live by “happiness is a choice” until I became unhappy. I unconsciously made A LOT of bad choices and then felt super stuck. I wanted to get back to that sunshine girl I once knew, but had lost touch with my power. While there are certainly more sensational ways to put women back in touch with their power, we’re going to work simply and with the season.
Now, let's talk brain health!
The hippocampus shrinks when we experience trauma, meaning we become physically less equipped to be happy. But we can grow it back! How? PTSD patients hippocampus grew when they experienced connection. This could be anything from kicking a soccer ball to smelling a flower.
Then there’s occitocine: the love hormone. Also created by connections like cuddling, petting animals, and even volunteering.
For me this is Pure Vida. This is Aloha. This is the ancient grandma medicine that blue zones talk about: Happiness occurs when we connect (with gratitude).
Finally, it’s really about the spirit
Referred to in Tibetan Buddhism as the “15 days of miracles” the first 15 days of the Lunar New Year are considered potent with power and connection. Believe it and join us with the collective backing of a lot of other people around the world taking time these 15 days to connect to themselves, their intention, and the divine for support. …or don’t believe it and still do it, because it’s astrologically a bit nutty right now, it’s a decent time in winter well after holidays, and we could all use more love. Is there too much?
THE CHALLENGE
For 15 days straight, beginning Feb. 10 (or whenever you read this), take a moment to:
1) Connect with appreciation to something, anything
2) Take a moment to truly feel the appreciation and connection in your body
3) OPTION: Say a mantra OR recognize how you hold the qualities of what you love about this thing you are connecting with.
*BONUS POINTS (per day)
1pts extra per day if it’s part of a daily ritual you take at the same time every day
2pts extra if you remember the connection and your qualities or mantra during another time in the same day, and re-say it to yourself
3pts extra if you meditate for 2+ minutes on or near the connection
My humble mom-xample
Don’t laugh. I’m a busy mom, so this is SUPER simple—something I can consistently maintain.
I’ll sit with warm tea
Opening my senses to the sprinkling sound of the herbs, the bubbling water, blooming flowers, and the slow tint of their steep as they dance into the water. I’ll connect with the warmth of the cup, recognizing where I feel warm and also cool in the body.
I’ll take a look around outside, what is nature doing?
Then I’ll state my personal mantra, and drink it up, along with my delicious tea!
Have fun!
*Note: actual scores are not being taken, tracked, or submitted. Everyone wins!
