Thanks to my family, I realise I regularly do all four of the things researchers say make us happy.
Take a look to see how you’re doing.
Inspired by my younger daughter Freya and her fitness commitments, including her inspirational London marathon this past week, I actively move for at least 30 minutes a day.
Her London Marathon would have been inspiring enough to run 26.2 miles but to complete the distance through gritted teeth in acute knee pain from mile 14 was an unforgettable lesson in determination, perseverance and commitment ( commitment to her own goals, to those who had sponsored her, and as she knew all those children in her school who were waiting to see her arrive the following week sporting her medal).
I am inspired and encouraged by both my daughters and the way their lives (and figures) reflect their commitment to healthy activity. I’m also grateful for boaty friends who spur me on via social media to regularly get out and waddle to bring on a sweat.
I recognise and am grateful for the healthy lifestyle living afloat with a Boatdog brings. It is easy to move for 30 minutes a day with purpose because of our walks together, trips on foot to find shops, exploring new places, tackling locks – all workouts in their own way.
Prioritising connections with family and friends, is something living apart from them all and floating about makes even more important. It also brings huge joy in the way they seek to include us, and indeed how we can include them in our floating lives.
It reminds us that being included and including others in small ways is vital. That can be through conversations, paying someone attention in a conversation, really listening to what someone is saying and not being distracted. Making time for someone is one of the best things we can do, and it means a lot.
We need to make sure that we aren’t just contacting friends and family when things are wrong or troubling us – but contacting them when things are good or just when we want to say hello. Sometimes I recognise I don’t do this enough, often because I feel I will be bothering them, that they have busy lives but it doesn’t have to be a major event, just a quick hello a how are you, I’m thinking of you can mean a lot. Hearing someone’s voice makes a difference to the WhatsApp connection too and I’m always grateful for the sound of a familiar voice.
Sharing time and a shoulder with friends and family at times they need support is important for them and us, for our wellbeing and theirs.
Practising gratitude is something we need to keep practising – whatever our age. It makes us feel good because we are acknowledging someone else’s efforts and making them feel good in the process. It’s a win-win situation for us and them. Genuine gratitude, not platitude, is priceless. Not saying thank you because we feel we should, but because we genuinely mean it. Often, we fail to recognise the lengths people go to for us, let alone acknowledge out loud to them how appreciative we are.
The Pollyanna approach to life – always seeing the good in a situation – can be difficult, even irritating, but counting our blessings is invaluable to keep positive. Recognising and taking time to articulate our gratitude for the roles of others in those blessings is also vital for them and for us.
Spending time with pets – maybe because they are always so glad to see us, so grateful for just a pat, a stroke, and always happy to be with us whatever our moods. Boatdog doesn’t approve of the early morning run habit – she’s always happy to welcome me home as if I had just won a marathon when all I did was waddle around the towpath or local streets for less than an hour!
Pets teach us much about giving unconditional love.
I would add to the researchers’ list those elements which living a floating life evidences brings happiness. The Norwegians define these as koselige – taking time to make the most of the simple pleasures in life. For me that’s time to watch the light from the water playing on the wooden ceiling, the surprise of a stunning sunset, the soft cushions of the sofa, time together and time on our own, time inside and time outside, and time doing those things that give us pleasure – whatever those may be for each of us reading, crafting, doing the crossword.
So this week, join me in getting happier – enjoy that glorious unconditional sharing time with a pet, show gratitude to others, connect with family and friends, keep your body moving and essential time for koselige.
Pickingupducks 