Stop thinking about work when you are
home. Worrying about something that can’t be changed at the moment is
wasted energy.
Think about what you can do about it tomorrow at work and
forget about it for now.
Questions:
• Where do you see the excess in your life?
• Do you have too many things you don’t need or use?
• Is your schedule always booked?
• Do you have time in your schedule for yourself and the things you enjoy
doing?
• What are the most important tasks in your day-to-day life (home and/or
work)?
• Which of these tasks can be easily delegated, automated, or eliminated?
Chapter 44: Smile more!
“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile,
but sometimes your smile can
be the source of your joy.”
Thích Nhât Hanh Smile! Even if you don’t feel like it! Smiling improves the
quality of your life, health, and relationships. If you don’t do it already, start to
smile
consciously
today
.
Although I can’t confirm the study that is cited in many
self-help books and blogs that 4 to 6-years old children laugh 300-400 times a
day and adults only 15, it might well be true. Just take our personal experiences
with kids and honestly it fits very well with the results of the study.
What is
confirmed is that laughing and smiling is extremely good for your health!
Science has demonstrated that laughing or smiling a lot daily improves your
mental state and your creativity. So laugh more!!
My wife and I make it a
point to watch at least 1 hour of comedy or fun stuff a day and laugh until tears
roll down out cheeks. We feel a lot better and full of energy since we started this
habit! You try it out too!
A study by Tara Kraft and Sarah Pressman at the University of Kansas
demonstrated that smiling can alter your stress response in difficult situations.
The study showed that it can slow your heart rate down and decrease stress
levels – even if you are not feeling happy. Smiling sends a signal to your brain
that things are all right. See also
Chapter 60 “Fake it till you make it”
and
Chapter 61 “Change your Posture”
. Just try it next time you feel stressed or
overwhelmed, and let me know if it works. If you think you have no reason at all
to smile, hold a pen or a chopstick with your teeth. It simulates a smile and
might produce the same effects. If you need even more incentives for smiling,
search for the study by Wayne University on smiling which has found a link
between smiling and longevity! When you smile your entire body sends out the
message “Life is great” to the world. Studies show that smiling people are
perceived as more confident and more likely to be trusted. People just feel good
around them. Further benefits of smiling are: • Releases serotonin (makes us feel
good).
• Releases endorphins (lowers pain).
• Lowers blood pressure.
• Increases clarity.
• Boosts the functioning of your immune system.
• Provides a more positive outlook on life (Try being a pessimist while you
smile…).
Exercise:
For the next seven days stand in front of a mirror and smile to yourself
for one minute. Do this at least three times a day and observe how you feel.
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