Can you retain that holiday feeling while on the job?
You know the feeling; complete and total stress free relaxation that makes you blissfully happy. It’s probably the most precious gift we receive from our holiday adventures.
Studies are now providing us with a mounting pile of evidence to suggest that this relaxed state of mind not only makes us happier, it also makes us healthier.
Compare the state of mind we often feel on holiday to the mental state we endure during the rest of our life. What if we 
could cultivate that holiday feeling and be more of our relaxed happy selves even when we have to work, go to school, clean the house, deal with people we’d rather not or put up with the general drudgery of life?
We know it sounds pretty far fetched, but have you ever noticed those people who seem to be smiling and genuinely happy no matter what their life circumstances are? We have, and we definitely want the goods. Doing some research of our own we’ve come up with some of the things these happy people tend to do which may help them maintain this state of contentedness. We’ve also added some of the things we find really pack a punch when it comes to keeping us from the jaws of the stress monster.
1. Make time for meditation: Even if it’s just five minutes a day to perform some kind of meditation exercise. Listen to a meditation podcast on the bus or train, take time from your lunch for a quick walk in the sunshine, concentrating on your breathing while you walk. Stretch out on the lawn, do some yoga poses, anything that takes your mind away from the here and now and concentrates it on your inner self, or on a positive side of the outside environment.
2. Get out of the city on your weekend: Take a day trip to a country town (or to the city if you live in the country). Break out of the habit of spending time in the house where problems like housework or bills continually confront you. This is possible even on a budget, take public transport, pack a picnic lunch and simply enjoy some different scenery.
3. Spend time with people who give you energy: Everyone has at least someone they know who is a ‘drainer’, a person who saps us of energy and takes significant effort to be around. If possible, try to minimise time with these sorts of people. Identify those types that do the opposite, people who give you energy and bolster your mood, leaving you with a higher state of happiness. If you can’t identify any of these energy givers within your current circle of friends, maybe it’s time to cultivate some new friendships. Positive energy givers are precious, treat them accordingly.
4. Go to the beach: Even if it’s cold and you can’t swim, the beach has so many plusses it’s well worth the trip. The soft shush of the waves can prove to be an effective calming aid. The distant horizon comes as a pleasant change to our normally wall and building enclosed vision and often helps open and clear our minds of clutter. Walking barefoot on the sand is another one of life’s little pleasures.
5. Get some exercise: Yes we know everyone bugs you about it, but exercise has so many positive effects it’d be a shame not to include it on this list. Exercise has proven to be an effective agent against both stress and depression, helping your mind create that desired positive state. Exercise doesn’t necessarily mean airing out the gym wear and running endless stationary miles on a treadmill. Run around with kids, walk or ride to work, do some light yoga or pilates, heck have some sex! Yes, even sex is a form of exercise and has the added benefit of really ramping up the happy hormones.
6. Eat healthily: Uh huh, we are again battering you about the head with what you a
lready know, but again the benefits are so pronounced it would be a crime not to give you one extra head whack. Also, did you know that people who eat significant amounts of fresh, uncooked fruits, vegetables and greens consistently report a higher level of happiness with fewer mood swings than those who don’t? Eat your fresh fruit and veg, it will help your state of mind as well as your state of body.
7. Put things into perspective: Look around you, do you or those you care for go hungry on a daily basis? Are you dodging bullets or living in a warzone? Can you speak freely without risk of harm or a jail sentence? Are your loved ones safe? Questions like these really put our problems into perspective. Chances are you’re like us and none of the above problems apply to you. We are the fortunate ones. Now go back to your problems and compare them to what many others have to endure. It might take the edge off some of your worry.
8. Give to the community: We are social creatures, we gain pleasure from cooperating, helping those in our community and being active members of social networks. If you have a little time, consider what you are passionate about and find a community group with the same focus. Often when we assist causes closest to our heart, a deep satisfaction is gained from the process. We also get to meet like minded people, some of whom may turn out to be those new energy giving friends (see point #3).
9. Get some green: Look at the picture to the right. Now sit there and imagine you are immersed in such a forest with the 
smell of the trees and soil, and the gentle sounds of the animals. Feeling more relaxed? We have evolved to perceive green as a restful and relaxing colour. To our distant ancestors it meant safety, shelter and food, and we haven’t forgotten this. If time and budget permit, get out and get some regular green exposure, the greener and more pristine the forest the better. Even a walk in the park does the mind good. Pictures of forests and actual plants in the home or the workplace also help calm and soothe a stressed mind.
10. Take advantage of the power of smell: The art of aromatherapy extends its roots back thousands of years. Through trial and error, practitioners have discovered that certain scents calm, soothe and relax, while others invigorate and enliven. Smell can also be a key to unlocking memories and emotions deep in our minds. Lemons may remind us of happy sunny days when mum made us fresh lemonade, or lavender may conjure up fond memories of a favourite aunt. If you need a soothing scent, dab lavender, ch
amomile, ylang ylang or sandalwood onto your pulse points or drop some into an oil burner for a fragrant environment. If you need a pick me up, try lemon, ginger, pine or peppermint using either of the above methods.
The list above includes just some of the steps we can take to bring us closer to that relaxed happiness we feel while on holiday. We’re sure you can add to it by thinking about the things that make you happy. How do you manage your stress? Tell us your secrets in the comments section below.
Photos by Jefah