5 ways to bring joy into your life

By Dr. Gabriella Kőrösi

1. Slow down. Think about your day. Take that extra second to enjoy the morning sun-rays or the sunset. Take a deep breath. Stop and look at the Ocean one more time. Be in the present moment. Our daily lives are fast, and it can be difficult to stop and fully absorb each moment. It is important to take the time and enjoy moments that are precious for you. Take the time to enjoy the sip of tea you are drinking. The smile of a friend or family member. A phone call with someone you love. There are so many moments go by each day. Days, weeks, months, and years pass by quickly. Showing down and enjoying the present moment without worrying about the past and hurrying into the future brings joy into our lives.

2. Have some Fun. Life is serious enough. Recently I was on a day road trip with a friend and my son. We stopped for a mid-morning snack and coffee. The coffee shop had these huge bubble makers for sale. My friend got really excited and said let’s get some and we can take it next time we go on the beach and make huge bubbles. I imagined myself making huge bubbles on the beach. Sounded like a lots of fun. I can not remember the last time I made bubbles, probably when my kids were little. It was a good reminder that it is important in life just to have some fun. Whatever sounds fun to you, it might be a walk on the beach, having tea with a friend, playing sports, going on a hike. Whatever it is that you do or used to do for fun, keep doing it. Having some fun will bring moments of joy back to your life.

3. Be kind to yourself and others. It is easy to judge ourselves and each other. Face it none of us are perfect. Being kind to yourself and accepting, can bring additional joy into your life. It can be a simple checking in with someone you know, or you have not heard from for a while. Noticing if someone is having a hard day and see if there is something you can do for them to ease their day. A smile and a few kind words can go a long way. Many times, we judge ourselves and others. Take a break. Accept the moment and see what you can do to make your day better. Take an extra small step toward kindness. It will make yourself feel better as well as other people around you. Being truly kind means that if you give something to yourself or others you do not hope to receive anything in return. Get a…