Choose To Be Happy in 2014

As we start the New Year 2014, many of us are making resolutions to improve our lives. A recent poll states “almost 50% of Americans believe their fortunes will improve in the New Year.” However, specific resolutions are not all there is to being happy and positive about life as we face the challenges, successes and setbacks this New Year. Perhaps better choices can improve skills that enable us to better cope with addictions.
Some experts now make the claim that we can choose to be happy.
Here are eight habits that research has suggested could make 2014 a good year:
• Spend time outside because it lowers stress and makes you feel better by raising serotonin levels.
• Spend time with children because they can change your outlook on life with their unique outlook on everything.
• Meditation helps promote happiness, positive attitude and even lowers blood pressure.
• Pets are wonderful at making us happy, reducing stress and providing positive emotional benefits.
• Take an occasional total break and unplug from social media, which can cause low self-esteem and even envy.
• Gratitude can make you feel better about your life in general because it gives a positive focus to your life.
• Reading something for your enjoyment can reduce stress and make you happy.
• Singing elevates mood because Oxytocin, an endorphin, is released while singing which relieves stress and anxiety.
A great year is attainable if we will decide to just make the effort and choose life improving, healthy, and fun habits! Recovery from addiction is really about making new, healthy, fulfilling lifestyle choices. You can choose to improve your outlook, which will in turn improve the way you feel. This is a new year! Let it be a good one for you everywhere and in every way where the choice is yours.