The Happiness Club: Tools and Techniques to Dispel That Stress!

Article by Jo 'Happiness' Howarth, Founder of The Happiness Club

We’d all like to be happy, wouldn’t we? In fact, everything we do in life is in order to move ourselves closer to happiness. Whatever that thing is, that thing that is missing in your life, what you actually want, in the having of that thing, is to be happier.

Hello, my name is Jo Howarth. I run a company called The Happiness Club and I teach people how to be happier, because I fully believe that happiness is the most important thing in life.

In this article, I share with you my seven top tips for harnessing your inner happiness. I hope you enjoy them and put them into practice.

1. Put Yourself First

The simple fact is that if you don’t look after yourself, you can’t look after anyone else. You have to start by prioritising your own well-being.

It sounds selfish. It feels selfish. But it is totally necessary. You are the only person who is absolutely guaranteed to be with you every single day of your life, from now until the end, so you have to become your own priority. And once you start looking after yourself you will have more energy, headspace and love to share with those around you. It’s a win-win.

2. Stop Making Assumptions

Assumptions. We make hundreds and hundreds of them every day. Some of them are necessary to move us forward and get things done, but a lot of them are unnecessary and potentially damaging.

We assume we know what someone else is thinking or feeling, largely in relation to ourselves. We assume we know why someone else is doing whatever they’re doing, largely in relation to ourselves. And we respond accordingly.

But our assumptions are not always correct. Sometimes the reason behind someone else’s behaviour has nothing to do with us and our response is entirely inappropriate.

Making the effort to communicate effectively, to check with the other person what is actually going on, can save a lot of hurt and heartache in the long run.

3. Spend Time With Yourself

As I said before, you are the most important person in your own life. But how much time do you spend just with yourself? How much time do you spend checking in with your own thoughts, your own feelings, your own life?

I am going to challenge you to start spending one minute every day – just one – sitting somewhere comfortable, closing your eyes and just checking in with you. It will do you the world of good.

Other examples of self-care that are easy to do can include:

• Going for a walk during your lunchbreak

• Aiming to eat a well-balanced diet

• Doing yoga

• Engaging with a non-work hobby.

4. Put It In Perspective

Don’t we love a drama?! Don’t we, though? And we blow things out of all proportion because we allow ourselves to get carried away by that drama. It makes life more interesting, but can make life harder too.

Next time you feel yourself getting pulled into the drama of something, ask yourself this question: Will any of this matter in five years time?

You’ll find, more often than not, that the answer to that question is no. And if the answer is no, why on earth are you allowing yourself to get so wound up about it all now? If it won’t matter in five years, I promise it doesn’t matter now.

5. Let It Go

It’s not just the best song in 'Frozen', it’s one of the wisest things you can learn how to do. Let. It. Go.

Whatever ‘it’ is, learn how to release the negative emotions around it on a regular basis. Otherwise, that negative energy will stay inside you, causing all kinds of physical, mental and emotional trouble.

Those long, slow breaths will help you release it, as will all kinds of other tools – from hypnosis to meditation, from yoga to EFT (emotional freedom techniques).

6. Appreciate The Hell Out Of It

Appreciation, appreciation, appreciation. There is nothing quite like it for soothing your soul and lifting your spirit.

Taking five minutes every day to reflect on all the things you have in your life to appreciate, and all the things you can appreciate from that day itself, has the power to turn even the day from hell on its head.

Do it before you go to sleep and you will get better quality, more restful and rejuvenating sleep into the bargain.

7. Breathe

A simple one. Learn how to breathe properly. Learn how to use your breath to bring you back in line with yourself. Lovely, long, slow, deep breaths in and out on a regular basis will calm you down and keep you calm, even in the craziest situations.

• Breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth, let your breath flow as down into your belly as comfortable

• Breathe in gently and regularly, counting steadily from 1 to 5

• Then, without pausing or holding your breath, let it flow out gently, counting from 1 to 5 again, if you find this helpful

• Keep doing this for 3-5 minutes, or until you feel calm and relaxed.

The Happiness Club is an online membership club that offers daily support, to help with issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, being overwhelmed, low self-esteem, lack of confidence and so on.

The Club can help you to:

• Reduce your stress levels so you can work better

• Take control of your thoughts, feelings and actions so you can enjoy day-to-day life

• Feel more calm and positive so that your relationships at work and home improve

• See your life through a new lens so that you spend more of your day feeling happy and content

• Never find yourself in a situation where you’re about to lose it with someone!

The Happiness Club is an affordable way for you to change your way of thinking and have a fresh lease on life.

For less than the cost of your daily cup of tea or coffee, you get access to me whenever you need it, as well as my daily message that reveals to you yet another way to find happiness.

Members also get 24/7 access to a team of counsellors and therapists for help with their mental well-being when they need it most. More information can be found online at www.thehappinessclub.co.uk

Jo 'Happiness' Howarth

Jo Howarth is a bestselling author and an inspirational speaker. She is an uplifter, an inspirer, a helper and the founder of The Happiness Club. You can reach Jo at jo@thehappinessclub.co.uk