As Shared by India’s Leading Psychologist Shivani Misri Sadhoo
Am I happy? When was the last time you bothered to ask this question to yourself? Think hard. Can’t remember? Well, that is because we haven’t had the time to find out what happiness really means to us.
For some people, happiness is directly proportional to the number of likes they get on social media which increases dopamine-the chemical in our brain that makes us happy. While for others, happiness could simply mean counting the stars in the sky or sipping a hot cup of tea on a lazy winter morning. Happiness means different things to different people. But, in every job that must be done, there is always an element of fun.
Let us discover those fun elements with India’s eminent psychologist Shivani Misri Sadhoo as she takes us on a journey in pursuit/ search of happiness.
Look within: Happiness is not just about roses and rainbows, chocolates and candies. It is about claiming and cultivating and truly believing in the life you want. It is often said, ‘Happiness is not determined by what’s happening around you, but rather what’s happening inside you.’ Believe in yourself. Think positive. Rediscover yourself. Focus on yourself. Think about those things or activities that make you truly happy. It could be walking in the park, writing a book, talking to people or simply watching a web series. Keep still and introspect. And you will find the answer.
Try to make others happy: Martin Luther King aptly said, “surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.” Generosity makes people happier. In fact, it is a scientific fact that just thinking about being kind and generous to others triggers a happiness reaction in our brains. It could be as simple as helping a blind man cross the street or giving advice to someone or perhaps holding the shopping bag for the elderly aunty who stays next door. So, if you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.
Gratitude: The act of being grateful to someone has a strong positive impact on your psychological well-being. It makes you feel more alive, positive, optimistic and happy. A simple ‘thank you’ can go a huge way. Make it a habit to say ‘thank you’ to your mother who never forgets to pack your tiffin so that you don’t feel hungry or to your colleague at work who always helps you make that perfect presentation.
Keep smiling: Science says smiling releases the feel-good hormones that make you happier and healthier. When you are smiling, the whole cosmos smiles with you. A smile a day helps to keep the doctor away. It is a great stress buster and keeps your heart and immune system healthy. So, frown less and smile more.
In every life, we have some trouble, but when you worry, you make it double. So, don’t worry, be happy.
Shivani Misri Sadhoo is an internationally recommended relationship Counsellor by world’s biggest and most trusted study and research-based foundation for couples therapy – Gottman Institute. She is trained on specialised key relationship counselling Skills from AIIMS, VIMHANS and various other reputed institutions. Counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo, is also Certified for Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.
Counsellor Shivani Misri Sadhoo is also a Certified Neuro Linguistic Practitioner with specialised training and experience in the field of affairs/betrayals, trust issues, difficulty communicating, conflicting values, bereavement, grief and loss (affairs, separation, divorce, childhood) and emotional health issue (anxiety, social anxiety, fear, depression, low mood).
Currently, Shivani Misri Sadhoo is one of the top counsellors with the HIGHEST Success Rate with over 17,000 happy couples and individuals (based in India and abroad), who has benefited from her therapy. Psychologist and Counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo not only practice independently from her clinic in Greater Kailash, Delhi, India but also listed on the panel of eminent hospitals like IBS Hospital – Institute of Brain & Spine, Express Clinic, Fortis (formerly) based in Delhi.
