Để cân bằng cảm xúc trong tâm hồn của mỗi người chúng ta trước sự ảnh hưởng làn sóng của đại dịch, bà Carla Marie Manly, nhà tâm lý học lâm sàng và là tác giả của cuốn sách “Niềm vui từ nỗi sợ hãi” nói: “Tất cả năng lượng tiêu cực này đánh thuế tâm trí, cơ thể và tinh thần.” “Do đó, điều quan trọng là phải cố ý chống lại năng lượng độc hại, đáng sợ này bằng sự đầu tư tận tâm vào việc tạo ra hạnh phúc.”
Nhưng làm thế nào để người ta thực sự tăng cường hạnh phúc trong một đại dịch toàn cầu?
Dưới đây là những gì các chuyên gia khuyên bạn nên làm :
1. Double down on physical self-care — especially exercise. Gretchen Rubin, author of numerous books including “The Happiness Project” says that the first step in boosting happiness is to take care of your body. “Your physical experience will always influence your emotional experience,” she says. “And exercise is the magical elixir of life.” Even light yoga or taking a quick walk can do the trick, Manly says, adding: “Research shows that a mere 12 minute walk is sufficient to create an upbeat, happy mood.”
2. Meditate. “You’ll actually foster inner joy by slowing to meditate for even five minutes at a time,” says Manly. “Meditation increases feel-good neurochemicals, as it reduces stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.”
3. Experience nature — even if that’s just looking at a photo. “Exposure to natural environments has been linked with better general health and less stress,” says Allison Buskirk-Cohen, associate professor and chair of the psychology department at Delaware Valley University. “Studies have shown that natural environments are associated with lower brain activity in the frontal lobes and low frequency brainwaves. In other words, our brains relax more. For those who are unable to get outside, there’s also some research indicating that looking at photographs of natural environments (like pictures of the beach or the mountains) can have similar effects.”
4. Say thank you. “Rather than noticing what you don’t have, pause to give gratitude for what you do have,” says Manly. The trick here is to really immerse yourself in gratitude not only by say, writing down a list of things you’re grateful for, but by thanking everyone who crosses your path, including yourself. “Whether you thank the delivery person for the load of boxed groceries, your partner for bringing you a cup of tea or yourself for finishing a work project, your happiness level will increase when gratitude flows.”
One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make others happy. So ask yourself, ‘How can I lift other people’s spirits?
