20 Things that will make you happy [NA]

http://barefeetanddreams.tumblr.com/post/12962525086/20-things-that-will-make-you-happy

Je kent die reclames wel: een perfect gezinnetje met twee kinderen, een jongen en een meisje, en ook nog een hond. Een vrolijk leven zonder problemen wat mee zit, dat is iets wat iedereen wil. Helaas gaat dat niet altijd even makkelijk, want het leven heeft zijn leuke, maar ook minder leuke kanten. Misschien zit je in je examenjaar en heb je het druk met school (net als mij) en kan je wel even wat ontspanning gebruiken. Ik heb 20 tips gevonden om je net even die oppepper te geven die je misschien net even nodig hebt!




1. Neem een lang warm bad of douche.
Het hete water werkt ontspannend en daardoor zullen je spieren ook ontspannen, dat verlicht al veel spanning. Als je de badkamer in gaat, laat dan al je zorgen buiten de deur. Neem een pauze van alles voor even, en neem tijd voor jezelf. Als je bubbels of oliën als lavendel en kamille toevoegt aan je lekkere bad, zal het je nog meer helpen om te ontspannen. Pak je favoriete boek of muziek en relax.

2. Stap naar buiten.
Maak een kleine wandeling, de frisse lucht en het geluid van buiten zal wonderen doen. Maak eens een ommetje door wat straten (op comfortabele schoenen). Als je een parkje vlak in de buurt heb ga daar dan eens heen! Neem wat te drinken en fruit mee. Let op bloemen, vogels, katten en bomen.

3. Blijf gehydrateerd.
Als je niet genoeg drinkt de hele dag, zal je je meer uitgeput en moe voelen dan wanneer je dat wel doet. Let er dus goed op dat je genoeg drinkt!

4. Ruim je kamer op!
Ik weet het, ik klink als een moeder. Maar echt, als je eenmaal bent begonnen met je kamer opruimen is het niet eens zo erg. En onderzoek laat zien dat de meeste mensen zich beter voelen in een opgeruimde kamer. 'Schone kamer, schoon hoofd.' - Mijn wijze moeder.


5. Eet iets gezonds.
Vers fruit is geweldig, en daarna zal je je vast goed en gezond voelen.

1. Take a long hot bath or shower. The hot water will relax your muscles and relieve tension. When you go into the bathroom, leave all your worries outside the door. Take a break from everything for a while. If you add bubbles or fragrant oils like lavender or chamomile it will help to relax you further. Take your favourite book with you and just chill out. 
2. Step outside. Go for a little strole, the fresh air and outside noise will do wonders. Go for a quiet walk around the block in your ug boots, maybe take something with you like a hot mug of tea or some fruit. Take notice of flowers, birds, cats and trees.
3. Keep hydrated. If you’re not drinking enough water throughout the day you will feel more worn out and tired. Read my water health post for more info.
4. Tidy your room! I know, I sound like your mother don’t I? But once you actually start doing a little bit it’s not that bad. And research shows that most people feel much happier in a tidy room. “Tidy room, tidy mind.” -My very wise mother.
5. Eat something healthy. Fresh fruit is amazing, and after you eat it you feel good, and healthy. It’s juicy and sweet, so will have a similar effect on your brain that chocolate or sweets do, but without the harmful ingredients. 
6. Eat something not so healthy. All in moderation! Go out to a cafe and get a hot drink and some kind of baking. Take with you a sketch book or a writing pad, and just create something. It’s productive and fun, and plus it will make you look totally cool.
7. Indulge in some retail therapy! I think we don’t need any more convincing on this one. But look around for some sales and really good value for money, this way you won’t feel so guilty! 
8. Get that awful homework out of the way. Yes, that assignment you’ve been dreading. Just do it, and then it’s done! Easy as pie. I always find that actually doing the study is much more fun then stressing over not doing the study, and once it’s done you’ll be proud and relieved. Even if you just start it, that’s something.
9. Hit the town! Go out with a bunch or girl friends to a small gig (concert). Get a few drinks in you first to boost your confidence (if you’re the nervous type. But keep it small, you don’t want to look stupid), and start up a conversation with some cute boys. Go for it and get their numbers! Give you and your friends something to squeal about later.
10. Sign up for something. Join a club or a class or a group and meet some new people, do some new things.
11. Do something nice for someone. Even if it’s picking a few flowers from the garden for your mum, or helping a friend who needs some advice. Making other people happy will reflect back onto you too.
12. Do something nice for yourself.  Take some time out of each day to do something you enjoy doing.
13. Smile! Smiling in general even if you don’t feel like it will actually boost your mood anyway. And smiling at others and being cheerful will not only cheer you up, but it’ll make them smile too. (Which makes you smile even more.)
14. Buy a new book.  Whether it’s a traditional crime drama, cheesy romance, self help, educational, biography, girlie magazine, it’ll cheer you up and distract you. 
15. If you’re like me and love cooking, make a meal. Spend a bit more time in the kitchen making something you love. It’s educational, fun, and you get food at the end! And try making vegetables in a way that you like them, you’ll be proud and have a happy tummy.
16. Do some baking! Settle down with a rug by the window with a hot drink and baking, with your favourite book. (In case you can’t tell by now, I love books.)
17. Get some exercise! This is actually one of the best things you can do to make yourself happy. It doesn’t matter if it’s playing sports with family or friends, swimming at the beach, going for a bike ride around a nice local trail, or going for a full on jog. Here’s a post I made on how to motivate yourself to run. Exercise is proven to help your mood a lot. It releases tons of endorphins, which make you feel really happy. It will give you more energy, you’ll feel better physically, you’ll sleep better at night, and it just helps your whole body in general.
18. Eat some chocolate! Yaay! (yes, I’m giving you an excuse to eat chocolate.) Chocolate also releases endorphins, and just the taste alone is enough to make me content. If you’re concerned about eating something like chocolate, try some good quality dark chocolate (70%+ cocoa). It’s actually good for you, and while it still contains sugar, the way the ingredients react to your body leaves you feeling satisfied after a few pieces, not the whole block.
19. Rent a good film. It only costs a few dollars, and that pared with some home made popcorn and snacks makes for a mighty fine evening, whether you’re chilling out in solitude or cuddling up with friends or family. (Or your boyfriend.)
20. Paint your nails or do some girlie grooming! Any kind of beauty process makes lots of girls happy. Go for a natural face mask, (you can make them yourself at home too) Get a good hair cut, go tanning, file your nails, anything which makes you feel better about yourself :)