The Art of Enjoying Life

Now that the summer months are close at hand, the time for enjoying some fun in the sun will be a welcome relief from the cold, rainy months we've seen for far too long. However, it doesn't really matter what the weather's like or what the calendar tells us. The art of enjoying life is a conscious choice that calls for particular actions in order to truly be happy and in the present moment. So if you've been in a lousy rut for too long, can't remember the last time you kicked back and relaxed or even had a good laugh, here's some pointers that can lead you in the right direction: 1. Assess your stress level and respond to it appropriately. Some individuals become so stressed out by one major event in their life that the little things seem to evoke the same level of stress. When you allow yourself to be ruled by your emotions on a continual basis, this can often lead to mental as well as physical exhaustion. Ask yourself if the level of attention you're giving a certain matter is, in the scheme of things, actually warranted. Next year will you still be stewing over this matter or will you likely have forgotten about it? Although it's hard to look at a current stressor in this fashion, you need to in order to gauge the time and energy you're putting into the matter. Can you use this time for more productive matters? Oftentimes, the answer is yes.

2. Take a 'mental vacation.' You don't have to get a tan in the Caribbean in order to feel relaxed. Relaxation is a state of mind and can come at any time and in any situation. The first part of this vacation is making a vow to yourself that you'll limit the negative statements that you think about yourself as well as others. Thinking in a negative way simply leads to feeling negative. Instead, counter negative thoughts and start each day with a positive statement. The second part of this vacation means surrounding yourself with as many positive people as possible. If family members or friends are adding to your stress, take a break from them. Allow yourself to regroup, reassess, and build a foundation that will allow you to enter more cautiously into these situations as well as think about how you really want to react in them.

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