5 things you need to live with more "joie de vivre"

Check out my recent interview with Authority Magazine for some nuggets on joy and happiness during turbulent times.

You can find the full article here, but below are the 5 things for a sneak peek. Enjoy!

Fantastic. Here is the main question of our discussion. Can you please share with our readers your “5 things you need to live with more Joie De Vivre, more joy and happiness in life, particularly during turbulent times?” 
1. Basic Needs. First things first, prioritize your physical needs for sleep, food, hydration, activity, and your medical regimen if applicable. Aim for roughly 7–9 hours of sleep per night, keep a consistent schedule, and listen to your needs during the day for rest. Eat nourishing meals that make your heart happy (that’s Mediterranean cuisine for me!) and keep yourself hydrated with ample water, mixing it with flavors if that makes you happy. Keeping up with a regular exercise routine will act as a natural antidepressant and help with your mood and sleep.
2. Love and Belonging. When the external world goes chaotic and turbulent, internally our biological attachment system goes into crisis mode. Even if you lean toward being more introverted, the truth is that we are social animals. We not only need one another for survival — especially during times of crisis — but we thrive and flourish when we have a solid support system. A healthy dependence on others can support your independence and continued growth. So let love in always, but especially when times are turbulent — the one silver lining of the chaos is in how it can bring community together! Cherish the people you have in your life who genuinely care for you and vice versa, and find creative ways to continuously expand and nurture your social network. Spend quality time with others and don’t be afraid to ask for extra support in whatever forms are most meaningful for particular relationships — funny videos and memes, hugs, snuggles, a listening ear, activities, food, watching movies or shows together, sharing interests or hobbies, etc. And if you find yourself struggling to ask for help graciously consider engaging with a therapist who uses IPT and/or EMDR therapy modalities to work through the blocks to giving and receiving love. Bonus info: let your hugs last at least 20 seconds so your brain can release oxytocin and you can literally let love in.
3. Spiritual Connectedness. Speaking of connections, also make a point to limit screen exposure (especially including exposure to the news) and increase exposure to the sun and nature. Trust mother nature’s ability to nourish your mind, body, and soul! Spending time outdoors with nature can engage your senses and help you stay present, grounded and out of your head. Engage in spiritual practices that are nourishing for you personally. Other than spending time in nature, you might engage in activities like yoga, tai chi, meditation, mindful coloring, drawing, reading, journaling, soundbathing, dancing, cacao ceremonies, sweat lodges, serving your community, learning something new, pursuing meaningful goals, or other relevant religious or spiritual rituals. The purpose of engaging in such activities is to feel a sense of connectedness, peace, and joy. Drawing upon your spiritual and/or religious faith system can also help you be more accepting of both the bigger picture of life and the little details of the day-to-day existence. And happiness can result more naturally when you can easily let go and trust the journey of life.
4. An Attitude of Gratitude. As we accrue greater responsibilities, we naturally become more focused on problem-solving things that are going wrong and less attuned to appreciating the many blessings in our day-to-day existence — whether big or small. And while we can’t necessarily control what’s happening around us, what’s within our control is our attitude toward our experience. The science of happiness shows us that the more we train our brains to appreciate and feel gratitude for our lives every day, no matter the circumstances, the happier we feel. We especially need this mode of thinking during turbulent times.
Gratitude exercise: Start or end your day by reflecting on the day prior, and point out at least 3 things from the day that you feel grateful for. It can be any moment such as feeling the sun shining on your shoulders when you stepped outside, to sharing a smile with a stranger you passed by, to working through a challenging situation courageously, to giving yourself permission to take a break, to hugging a loved one, to that first sip of coffee you had in your morning ritual, to feeling in good health, to job security, etc. The purpose is to deliberately focus on finding moments of gratitude and enhancing feelings of appreciation and gratitude in the moment as you are reflecting on those moments. Make a habit of doing this several minutes a day and you’ll soon find that during your days you will start appreciating things more in the moment. After all, happiness is about wanting what you have — so take the time out of your days to savor and appreciate all that you do have. You’ll know your skillset is advancing when you can also experience gratitude for the challenges and associated “negative” emotions that might arise, rather than only feeling grateful for “positive” experiences.
5. Playfulness and Humor. Life is happier and lighter when you’re remembering to not take everything so seriously. When times are dark and turbulent, drawing upon playfulness and humor are of the utmost importance to help provide a sense of balance. Give yourself permission to have some fun and lighten up your day with opportunities for laughter. I spend an average of maybe 5 hours a day in the depths of my clients’ darknesses, and to counter that I draw upon funny memes, videos, and jokes and then make a point to share the laughter with my loved ones. Spending time around children (including your fur babies!) can also be a helpful reminder to inspire you to channel creativity and play into your day-to-day routine. In this regard, happiness is a choice you’re making every day.