Did you know there was an international day dedicated to commemorate a feeling? And not just any feeling, maybe the best feeling that there is!
March 20th marks International Day of Happiness and because we're an aromatherapy brand focused on bringing you happiness through our different products, we thought this might be a day we'd like to talk and learn more about! Let's do this together, shall we?
First, lets's go over what International Day of Happiness really is and what it means.
What is International Day of Happiness?
Well, other than quite obviously being about happiness, International day of happiness is a global celebration started by the United Nations in 2013. This day was created to recognize (you guessed it!) the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world.
Brief history of the international day of happiness
In 2011, the UN general assembly decided to create an International day of happiness to recognize happiness as a fundamental human goal. The resolution brought a balanced and inclusive perspective to economic growth and was also created to bring more importance to mental health.
The first ever United Nations conference on Happiness took place in 2012 where the UN declared International Happiness Day would be celebrated every year on March 20th. And since 2013, it has.
How do I take action?
Speak it into existence.
Start the day off by saying the Happiness pledge because, why not?
Here it is: "I will try to create more happiness and less unhappiness in the world around me".
Three good things.
Find three good things each day that made you happy. No matter how small, thinking of these things can have a great positive effect on your mood, and your mindset which is - everything!
Psychologists at UC Davis found in a group study, that the group of people who kept weekly journals focused on things they were grateful for experienced feelings of optimism and generally feeling more satisfied with their lives than the other groups who wrote about major events that happened that week or hassles they experienced.
Here's a wild finding from this study; the group who journaled about things they were grateful for also felt fewer physical symptoms such as headaches and a runny nose.
Being happy or simply doing small things each day for your soul can physically and mentally have a positive effect on your life.
Being in Awe.
What is Awe? It's an amazing feeling we get that simply makes us feel like we're a part of something bigger than ourselves. Awe-inspiring experiences make us feel curious about the world we live in, also relieves stress, putting us at ease.
Being in Awe is one of possibly the best human emotions we experience. Seeing something absolutely amazing like a clear sky full of stars, the view from the top of a mountain, or witnessing a truly inspirational moment can have a powerful effect on your mental health.
A study conducted at the University of California Berkley, students filled out a questionnaire describing their feelings over the past 30 days and submitted a saliva test to see if the lab could detect a substance linked with stress in the body.
The students who said they experienced feeling "awe" had lower traces of the stress-linked substance in their body. There was a correlation between the amount of awe that students experienced that month, with lower and lower levels of stress in the body.
Not only has Awe been linked with lower physical signs of stress in the body, it's been shown that people who feel this feeling of awe also show increased acts of kindness and report feeling more curious about the world.
To conclude, you might want to stop and smell those roses, or go look up at the sky because it will make you feel happier!
Meditate
Studies show that meditating - sitting quietly with yourself and being completely in the present moment - has positive effects on reducing feelings of depression, stress, and anxiety.
Incorporating meditation into your daily lifestyle can really positively effect your mood, mindset, and outlook on life.
Another cool observation of meditation is a study showing people who participate in a meditation program tend to show brain changes linked with self awareness, perspective, and memory.
Go outside
A study done to investigate the effects of being outside in a nature-like environment showed that a group who was primarily outside, specifically in a forest for a period of time, had reduced stress levels compared to a different group of people who were exposed to a city-like environment for the same amount of time.
If you live by the city and feel you're not really feeling the best, go for a nature walk. Get some water, snacks, your favorite walking shoes and head to the forest.
Breathing in that crisp, beautiful air and just being alone in a quiet, refreshing environment can really help improve your mood.
Aromatherapy
4 Essential Oils that can make you feel happiness:
- Lavender Oil - A powerful relaxation-promoting essential oil, lavender has uplifting effects that boost your happiness, reduces anxiety, and helps you feel more calm and relaxed. Lavender also promotes better sleep which of course can positively impact your following day.
- Bergamot Oil - Bergamot oil has been linked to specifically relieving work-related stress. It reduces the cortisol levels in your body (a hormone that controls your stress levels), making you feel less stressed and anxious.
- Jasmine Oil - European scientists have found that the smell of Jasmine can reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and aggression.
- Rose Oil - Rose oil is known to relieve feelings of depression and help reduce anxiety. They don't say "stop and smell the roses" for no reason! This oil can really bring you a sense of calmness and grounding.
If you want to feel that happy feeling by using essential oils, we already did the blending work for you. Our Happy essential oil infused nasal inhalers and diffusers are blended with the best essential oils known to promote feelings of happiness, calming, and relaxation.
Grab any one of our Happy products for 15% off using code: HAPPYDAY15
Conclusion
In conclusion, the international day of happiness is a special happy day that takes place on March 20th. It was created for us as humans to remember the importance of mental health, and having happiness in our lives.
Do something that day (or all days if you can of course) that really makes you happy. Whether that's going on a nature-trail walk, laying down and looking up at a clear, starry sky, or enjoying aromatherapy while you meditate, remember to do little things each day that give you a moment of happiness.
A little bit each day can go a very long way.