Family Fun magazine recognizes year after year that families that have fun are simply the happiest. A few years ago, we shared a list about the secrets of fun families that Family Fun featured alongside how our own families embrace FUN. This May, there was a new list for families that caught my attention:
1. Commit acts of Kindness. “Researchers call the warm glow we feel after doing something nice a “helper’s high.” In another study, kids ages 9 to 11 who did three kind things each week for a month (picking up litter, helping with a neighbor’s yard work, etc.) enjoyed greater feelings of happiness and more popularity at school.”
2. LOL—a lot. “Yes, laughter is the best medicine, and it appears to work best if you’re diligent about getting your daily dose.” What makes your children laugh? You? Your spouse? Keep the list handy and laugh out loud! 3. Jump for joy. Do you kick off your shoes and move? Cartwheels, tag, jumping jacks, skipping, jumping in puddles—-moving your feet together keeps the mood light and gives everyone an energy boost.
4. Unplug for a while. Do your children have to vie for your attention? Are there phone free zones in your house? Hours that all electronics are off?
5. Get into gratitude. Savoring everything around us from the past, the present, and also the future—-discuss everything that gives you joy! Keep a journal. Take a snapshot. Dwell in the midst of it.
6. Go play outside. Anything outside—-go green! Take a stroll. Frisbee. Ride bicycles—-anything—-boost moods for everyone. Bubbles, Tag, or Fireflies, anyone?
7. Celebrate sunny thinking. Teach yourself to look on the bright side. Encourage optimism from the inside out. “If you practice looking for the good, you’re saying to your brain, “This is what’s important. You’ll establish new neural connections that way.”
So where do you begin being the happiest family on the planet? Create a wish list. Ask everyone in your family what would make them happy and make an outline of how you can touch on each of these happy notations listed above—-having a plan is key but leaving a few happy moments to chance are the best surprises too!
Credit: Family Fun May 2015 for the list of happiness
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