Last Wednesday (20/3) was World Happiness Day, and the UK is woefully low on the list of ‘Happiest Countries’. This got me thinking, how can we boost our happiness?
As an artist, I am a firm believer in the power of creativity. With the recent reporting from the World Happiness Report that the UK has slipped down to number 19 (and is almost at the bottom of the sapiens reports) – what actions can we take to feel a bit happier?
Read The World Happiness Report Here
So, I decided to look within my own life, and that of my loved ones, and here are my five top tips for utilising your creativity to boost your happiness.
- Commit to a mindful art practice
Did you know that just five minutes doodling, drawing or painting can help reset the brain?
The power of a small doodle whilst on your commute to work or waiting for an appointment, meeting or friend is immense, it can calm you down and set you up for happiness.
I recommend keeping a small notebook and a biro or pencil in your bag (no need for a hefty A4 sketchbook and charcoal!) for optimum doodle-ability.
2. Join an art class
A stress busting hobby combined with like minded people? Win win!
Art classes present a unique opportunity to not only hone your skills, or learn a new skill- maybe it’s time to learn more about sculpture or textiles- but also to boost happiness.
As humans, we thrive in social settings, thus an art class can help you to form relationships with others as well as the power of creativity in boosting happiness.
All in all, an art class makes for a happier time.
3. Get out and about!
In the UK, we are so lucky that many of the museums and galleries have free entry. So, go and get some inspiration there!
Take you notebook along with you and jot down some thoughts, or even do a little sketch of a piece that takes your interest. Equally, go out and get some fresh air.
The outside world is a place full of inspiration and opportunity so go out and breathe in nature, finding a sense of calm or peace or in urban landscapes, find a moment of peace within the hustle and bustle. These again present great opportunities for a two-minute doodle in that lovely notebook.
4. Try out a Mel Robbins journaling exercise
Think of a time in your life when you felt happy. Perhaps it was as a child, a time with friends or when travelling. Write down a typical day’s schedule and work out which bits you can bring into your life now.
Listen To The Mel Robbins Podcast Episode Here
Granted, it won’t be possible to go to the Eiffel Tower when living in England, but maybe you could call your friend who you were there with or walk as much as you did during that trip?
5. Visualise the life you want
Manifestation is a powerful tool, and can indeed boost happiness. Think about your future, both near and far and imagine where you are. Maybe sketch or paint this.
Who are you with? What are you doing?
Make note of your answers and then break your journey to your goal down into small incremental steps. This will help you to increase motivation and keep it up. Your goals may change, but this can help you to take the first step.
Creativity can boost your happiness- whether its journaling, art, or simply looking at beautiful objects. Try this out for yourself and let me know how you get on.
A pretty notebook never hurts to help you get started!
Follow those five simple steps and you’ll be well on you way to beating the statistics and becoming a happier, more creative version of yourself. What simple happiness hacks do you use every day? Let me know in the comments, I love to hear from you.
REFERENCE LINKS
The #1 Journal Exercise to Become the Person You’ve Always Wanted to Be I The Mel Robbins Podcast
Home | The World Happiness Report
4th-Annual-Mental-State-of-the-World-Report.pdf (sapienlabs.org)
World Happiness, Trust and Social Connections in Times of Crisis | The World Happiness Report
Stock images from Canva
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