Step 5 in creating more happiness in your life: MOVE!

Let's pick this up where we left off...

How can we create more happiness in our lives? MOVE!!!

No, I don't mean move - as in MOVE TO COSTA RICA - though I'm not saying that wouldn't bring more joy for some! I'm mean move your body.

When we’re tired, sad or discouraged, we’re likely to be sluggish and slow-moving. This says that our mood can affect our movement. The same is true in reverse. Our movement can have a significant impact on our level of happiness.

Research shows that exercise is just as beneficial to the mind as it is to the body. Physical exertion releases happy chemicals in the brain—like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, those associated with improving mood and decreasing stress levels. When we raise our heart rate, our body releases endorphins which results in a boost of energy - and increased happiness!

I know what you're thinking - the thought of exercise does not make me happy! But the good news is that you can increase your happiness levels with as little as 10 minutes of light exercise a day. Walking, dancing, stretching, or any other form of movement you think will last at least 10 minutes (wink wink) is all you need!

So let's stand up. Raise our hands. Swing them around. Hop, skip, jump for joy and live an OM SO HAPPY LIFE.