Happiness can't be bought or sold or borrowed; it is a state of mind, a feeling of joy and contentedness that comes from within. With our day-by-day guide you can boost your self-esteem and happiness in just one week! So follow our seven life lessons and discover that happiness is all about how you see and treat yourself.
Monday: value kind words
Learning how to give and receive compliments sincerely can make a real difference to the way you feel. When you reject an honest compliment, you give yourself the message that you’re not worthy of praise. So today, make a promise to respond to all compliments with a simple ‘thank you’ and also say positive things about yourself such as, ‘I look good today.’
Sammy Fisher used to find it very difficult to accept compliments before her experience on The Biggest Loser Couples, often making jokes about herself. Sammy reveals, “Before the show I would shy away when my fiancé, Matt, said something nice to me. When he pays me a compliment now I say things like, ‘Could you repeat that please?’ and ‘Could you say that again only louder?’”
Tuesday: have a laugh
Laughing and even anticipating laughter boosts your heart rate and your rate of respiration. It also triggers the release of mood-elevating chemicals, which also raise your pain threshold and boost your immune system. What better reason to get together with a friend, watch a funny show or simply try to see the lighter side of life?
Wednesday: get some sunshine
Low levels of vitamin D can be linked with mood disorders such as PMS, seasonal affective disorder and depression. According to new research by Dr Pamela K Murphy from the Medical University of South Carolina, boosting levels of Vitamin D (AKA the sunshine vitamin) could help boost your mood. Walk in the winter sun (but don’t forget some sunscreen), eat more oily fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel and take a supplement if your doctor recommends it.
Thursday: don’t compare yourself with others
There will always be people who have more than you and some who have less. Play the comparison game and you'll run into too many opponents to win. Plus, you won’t be able to develop your inner calm either. Today, try hard to appreciate others – but not at your own expense.
Friday: pay yourself a compliment
The little messages each of us send ourselves really shape our self-esteem. Make your messages encouraging by choosing positive statements and repeating them. They could be something like, ‘I am now making the best choices for myself and my future’ or ‘I am doing the best I can’ or ‘I have the power to change for good.’ Write down your positive words and read them out loud. You’ll start to feel stronger inside!
Saturday: cultivate better relationships
Do those around you sabotage you or put you down? If people try to hold you back, you need to understand whether it is because they are worried about you or if it is because they don’t understand your views or needs. For those who matter, take the time to talk about how you feel and what you have to gain from your weight-loss journey; reassure them that you are making the changes you need to make for the better. If they love you, they will understand.
Sunday: forgive yourself
Slip-ups are normal – they are what reminds us we’re human. So when you’re faced with one, accept that you have run into a hurdle. Then get up and move on in the right direction. A new week is about to begin so start it with your head held high.