TOP 10 ACTIVITIES FOR INSTANT JOY

Based on numerous online articles about activities that bring happiness, this top 10 list has been created using the appreciative promise informed approach to life. The N.I.C.E. Model emphasizes the development of nurturing and caring characteristics and qualities. It stands for Nurture Intrinsic Care Engagement. This list of the top 10 joy-filled activities aligns with the N.I.C.E. Model's goal to enhance the experience of promise informed living through reciprocal joy.

TOP 10 ACTIVITIES FOR INSTANT JOY

#1 - Exercise Daily - Incorporating activities like walking, biking, or a quick 10-minute abs workout into your daily schedule can significantly enhance your happiness. Taking care of yourself is the first step in fostering a nurturing character. Exercising not only boosts self-confidence but also contributes to overall happiness, as noted by MindBodyGreen.com.

#2 - Engage with Animals - Numerous studies indicate that spending time with pets benefits the soul. The unconditional affection from a pet instantly brings happiness to many. Taking care of a pet or a foster animal is an excellent method to enhance your nurturing and caring instincts.

#3 - Engage in Creative Activities - Caroline Gregory, a writer for Healthy Living, mentions that "Psychologists find that creative activities can trigger an 'upward spiral' of well-being." Often, our regular daily or weekly routines offer a chance for creativity. Consider your daily activities at work or at home to spot these opportunities. If you don't find any creative opportunities in your life, try to create one at least once a week if possible.

#4 - Keep a Journal - As noted by Psychology Today, journaling can enhance happiness in just five minutes. In line with Promise Informed appreciative practices, writing about what you are grateful for can bring immediate joy. You don't need to write extensively—just a few words, like a list, will suffice. Instead of creating a daily to-do list, try writing a "with-who" list once a week to intentionally plan to connect with friends, family, and loved ones. This approach will help you focus on activities that bring joy to you and others.

#5 - Keep Indoor Plants - Indoor plants offer numerous advantages. One is that they enhance the beauty of our environment. Another is the responsibility of caring for them, which fosters the growth of our nurturing traits. Taking care of something often brings us happiness.

#6 - Send a Card to Someone - Mailing a card to someone is an excellent way to express your care. It also offers an opportunity to engage in a slower form of communication. In our fast-paced world, taking a moment to slow down can provide an unexpectedly joyful feeling. So, relish the process of driving to the store, selecting the perfect card, thoughtfully composing your message, addressing and stamping the envelope, and mailing your card. The thought of your recipient receiving your considerate message will add even more joy to your experience.

#7 - Offer a Compliment - Compliments bring happiness to everyone involved. Coach Holly Sheerer notes, “mastering the art of giving genuine and constructive compliments is a minor adjustment with a significant effect. It's an action anyone can take without spending a cent.” The coach is correct - offering compliments is a practice we can engage in daily. This thoughtful and considerate habit will bring joy to others and to yourself.

#8 - Spend Time Outside - According to the Aesthetics of Joy website, “the power of nature is that it not only elicits joy; it also reduces stress.” This activity is primarily about self-care and nurturing. Make time to sit outside as often as you can. Have lunch or take a break outdoors to enjoy nature, focusing on the sky, the greenery, the sound of the wind rustling through the treetops, or observing the gentle movement of the clouds. Relax in the shade with a breeze or bask in the sun's warmth on your face. Invite a friend to share in the joy.

#9 - Take A Nap - Peggy Noonan once remarked, “Naps are nature’s way of reminding you that life is nice - like a beautiful, softly swinging hammock strung between birth and infinity.” This vivid description of napping explains why it brings us happiness - naps remind us that life is pleasant - and we find solace in that belief through this act of self-care. We all understand that a brief 20-30 minute power nap can rejuvenate, refresh, and renew our mind, body, and spirit. Joy!

#10 - Eat Chocolate - Studies indicate that dark chocolate enhances the production of endorphins, the chemicals that induce feelings of happiness by interacting with brain receptors, similar to the euphoria runners experience. Isn't it thrilling to realize that a small amount of chocolate can bring us joy? While this is a wonderful fact, it's important to remember to enjoy it in moderation. Feel enthusiastic about the idea that eating chocolate is a form of self-care, and sharing it with others is a way to show care for them too.

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