We all experience sadness and dark days in our lives. It’s a part of life, and it can be extremely hard to cope with. You may be wondering how to feel happy when things seem so bleak. But there is hope—below we’ll discuss some ideas to help you find happiness during your darkest days…
It’s okay to feel sadness
The first step in finding happiness is accepting the fact that sadness is okay. You don’t need to deny or ignore your feelings; instead, allow yourself to feel them fully and express them openly. Cry, write in your journal, talk to a friend—whatever allows you to express yourself or makes you feel better.
Focus on the present moment
If you’re feeling sad or anxious about the future, take some time to focus on the present moment and be mindful of what’s happening right now. Notice how your body feels, what sounds surround you, and the colors around you. This will help to ground you in the present and bring your attention away from worrying thoughts about the past or the future.
Practice self-care
Taking care of yourself is essential in times of sadness and darkness. Make sure you take time each day to do something that brings you joy, whether it’s going for a walk, taking a bubble bath, listening to music, or reading a book. Spend time with people who make you feel good and reach out for help if you need it.
Connect with nature
Spending time in nature can act as an emotional reset; just five minutes of walking in the park or sitting by the ocean or a lake. Take a day off and hike in the forest! The Japanese actually have a treatment called “Forest Therapy®” – a research-based practice supporting the healing of individuals through the immersion in forests. The name is taken from the Japanese art of “Shinrin-yoku,” which translates to “Forest Bathing,” and it’s the simple method of being calm and quiet amongst the trees, observing nature around you whilst breathing deeply. Simply being out in nature can help both adults and children de-stress and boost health and wellbeing in a natural way to help you move through the tough times and come out on the other side happier than before.
Reconnect with yourself
Find ways to reconnect with yourself so that you can start rebuilding a connection between your mind, body, and spirit. This could mean engaging in activities that make you feel good, like reading a book or going for a walk in nature. Or it could mean spending time with friends who make you laugh and enjoy life more fully. Whatever it is that helps you reconnect with yourself, do it!
Take Action
When we’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just plain sad, it can be hard to do anything at all—but taking small actions can make all the difference. By taking small steps towards improving our wellbeing—like setting goals for ourselves or making healthy lifestyle changes—we can move towards the happy life that we desire to live.
Seek out support
Another great way to find happiness during a tough time is to seek out support. It can be helpful to talk to someone who understands what you’re going through and can offer advice or just a listening ear. Whether it’s a close friend, family member, or professional therapist, don’t be afraid to reach out for help.
The path from darkness to light is not always easy but remember that even during your darkest days, there is always hope for happiness if you are open to it. If you are struggling with depression, grief or any other mental health issue please seek professional help from someone who understands. Jennifer Jay Marcenelle of Burn Bright Today specializes in helping people overcome Trauma and PTSD using Integrative Health & Wellbeing Practices. No matter what challenges life throws at us – we will always have the strength within us to rise above them if we reach out for help when needed. So don’t ever forget that there’s always sunshine after rain – no matter how dark your day may seem – there’s still beauty beneath the ashes awaiting its rebirth! With this in mind – reach out for help – stay strong – stay hopeful – stay beautiful!
