Happiness: Why it’s the small things
“Be thankful for what you have, you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never ever have enough.” Oprah Winfrey
Kind words. Weekend swims. Frothy coffees. Smiles. Simply stopping to appreciate these micro-moments - those small expressions of joy - can influence our brain and body in the most powerful ways.
Physically, it can lower our blood pressure and help us live longer. Mentally, learning to celebrate the present moment can help us banish stress and self-doubt.
It’s time to embrace happiness, head-on.
Happiness makes us stronger. It helps us live longer and more wholeheartedly. It’s our secret weapon against stress - our inner strength that can help us overcome any obstacles life throws at us. Yes… even Monday mornings.
We all know how vital our happiness is, but it sometimes feels like an uphill struggle to achieve it. Occasionally, we need a little push or reminder of how vital it is - and how to bring more light into our lives:
Cultivating a happy mind
Buddhists describe thoughts as drips of water on the brain. When the same idea is repeated time after time, the result is a free-flowing stream in mind. Regularly practising gratitude - a state of thankfulness - carves out new positive streams, reducing anxiety and depression and making you happier.
Gratitude has been shown to literally change your brain chemistry - appreciating the little things triggers our ‘good’ hormones, releasing toxic emotions, reducing pain and improving sleep.
When life is moving at 100mph, mindfulness can take a backseat. But meditation is something you can do in minutes: in the shower, first thing in the morning, before a meal. Gratefulness, too, can be practised all through the day.
Cultivating a happy body
If there’s one thing we know about you, it’s that you want to improve your physical fitness, without it feeling like a chore.
If you’re thinking like that, you’re definitely on our wavelength. Exercise shouldn’t feel like a chore. Eating shouldn’t feel like a chore. Happiness is your human right.
Taking care of yourself - whether it’s by showing up to a regular fitness class or taking the time to cook a nutritious meal - is the ultimate form of self-care. But with so much pressure to achieve the “perfect body” driven by media and diet products, the true purpose of health and fitness can take a backseat and leave us confused.
Even in 2020, the strongest trigger for unhappiness in women is still appearance. Brene Brown confronts this issue in her book, Daring Greatly: “After all of the consciousness-raising and critical awareness, we still feel the most shame about not being thin, young, and beautiful enough.”
Why Holmes Place
At Holmes Place, we believe a perfect body is where a happy person lives. That’s why our mantra is “enjoy the journey”. You’re not racing to any destination - you’re taking it one baby-step at a time and making the small things count.
Our health clubs embody this mantra, making your happiness our number one priority with a complete set of services for a balanced, healthy and joyful life.
Spa, massages, nutritionists, physiotherapy, fun fitness classes and personal trainers in luxury venues around Europe - find your closest Holmes Place and make it your new happy sanctuary.