Happy brains are like hula-hoops.

The last few weeks I’ve been reading research articles by really smart people on how our emotional health impacts our physical health.  I won’t quote all the studies but the gist is that happy brains build happier bodies and happy bodies build a happier brain. It’s like a hula-hoop. You just have to start twirling and dancing to reap the benefits. If the hula-hoop drops, be gentle on yourself, pick it up and try again. I’m really good at starting the hula-hoop. I’m working on picking up the hoop and trying again when I drop my goals.

My latest challenge is to build a happier brain and body by doing the following activities.

1. Do a 10 minute mediation/deep breathing exercise every day

2. Exercise five days a week for at least  30 minutes

3. Find something funny every day

4. Eat a fruit or vegetable with every meal

5. Do something social with friends once a week

6. Write down all of my negative thoughts and try to re-frame them in a little cognition journal

7. Leave work by 4:30 p.m. every day. I won’t be able to do all of these happy brain/happy body things if I work all the time.

“By faithfully working eight hours a day you may eventually get to be boss and work twelve hours a day.”—Robert Frost