Very Happy Phil

Pleasant smells can induce positive emotions and thereby boost our feeling of happiness.

I use nicely smelling soap in the shower its a great start to the day. I also enjoy smelling fresh air and flowers often when I am driving, walking or cycling mindfully. I also enjoy the smell of petrol!

This week; Stop and smell the flowers!

In the UK there are lots of daffodils out and freely available to smell. Free happiness booster!

Sniff as many of your favourite sents this week as you can. Make a habit to do it often.

Here are a few of my favourite quotes which inspire me;

Stop and smell the roses!

Advice given to me by a friend years ago. Good advice to take literally (smell flower) and metaphorically (stop working!)

Scentists use vanillin (extract of the vanilla bean) to induse positive emotions in people.

Research at Cornell University found the smell of a cinnimon bun had a positive affect on people.

Research is adding to 'positive' smells all the time. Don't wait for slow scientists to tell you what you already know, if you find a sent makes you happy. I found this article interesting reading on aromatherapy;

http://www.nhs.uk/ipgmedia/national/penny%20brohn%20cancer%20care/assets...

Some smells and sents can be healing.

Top 20 smells that make Brits happy;

1. Freshly baked bread

2. Clean sheets

3. Freshly mown grass

4. Fresh flowers

5. Freshly ground coffee

6. Fresh air after rain fall

7. Vanilla

8. Chocolate

9. Fish and chips

10. Bacon frying

11. Roast dinner

12. Babies

Food can be pleasurable and can be a great 'free' happiness booster!

However is we eat something we like, say a chocolate egg and then beat
ourselves up for being so "bad" we eliminate the pleasurable and the
happiness booster!

If I eat chocolate I eat it and enjoy it!
I prefer to look at positives of food.
Chocolate can be part of my five a day!
Chocolate comes from the coco bean which is a plant!

If I was going to beat myself up afterwards I'd stop myself before wards!

Eating can be pleasurable because it uses ALL our senses; taste, touch,
sight, smell and sound

Our thoughts and emotions are also involved.

I'll tell you a wee story: We taste with our eyes! Scientists changed the
colour of a white wine to red to see if 25 EXPERT tasters thought it was a
red wine. ALL of them did!

This week; eat foods you like and enjoy them!
Blind fold optional!

Healthy eating tips;

Eat real food. Picked or grown food are best. Avoid foods with packaging and
minimize foods with ingredients.
Eat slowly.
Avoid TV dinners. TV eaters over eat.
Stop eating after each bite. Put fork down.
Drink water (hydrate) before meals.
Snack on healthy foods.
Eat when hungry.
Minimize foods.
If hungry, drink water. See if still hungry. Distract self. Check if
'truly' hungry.
Keep busy. Boredom is one of many reasons we eat.
Taste increases the waste. Avoid all you can eat buffets.
Healthy eating starts with healthy shopping.
Experiment with eating. What foods/quantities improve your energy/mood?
Which foods don't?

How do you deprive yourself?

This week; have a think about that!

Dr Robert Holden asked me that question. I thought "I dont."

On the way home by bus on a 12 hour trip I thought "I do!"
Bus is fine but i could have afforded the train.

How do you deprive yourself?

Have a happy NON DEPRIVING week!

Keep positive!

Phil McNally
Author & Happiness Coach

Remember,
“Happy people are kind to themselves!”

– Phil McNally, Author & Happiness Coach

PS Comments? Tips? Stories? Go to my blog and add your comments

PPS Read more proven FREE happiness boosters here

© Phil McNally 2010