A 9 part series of Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence topics from our Daily Meditation sessions at Makers. Take a sneak peak into what our learners experience.
Welcome to Week 7 of our series, where we explore the transformative power of returning to a state of wellbeing and joy.
This week is dedicated to rediscovering what brings us happiness and how we can integrate these elements into our daily lives, whether we are learning new skills or navigating the challenges of our work environments. Here’s some of what we covered:
Return to Play
By rekindling the youthful spirit of play, we can counterbalance the demands of a serious, routine-driven life.
This week, engage in activities that make you laugh, encourage spontaneity, and unleash your creativity. This can be as simple as setting a daily 10-minute ‘play’ period during your breaks where you engage in something completely unrelated to work or study, like doodling, playing a musical instrument, or juggling.
According to research, play can significantly boost our creativity and problem-solving abilities by making us more open to new experiences (Brown, 2009).
“Play is the highest form of research.” — Albert Einstein
Savour Joyful Moments
Joy often resides in the simplest experiences. Today, make a conscious effort to acknowledge and cherish these moments. This could be enjoying a cup of coffee, the sunlight on your face, or a pleasant conversation.
Studies show that savouring these moments can enhance our wellbeing and increase life satisfaction (Bryant, 2003).
Cultivating More Joy
Building on the practice of savouring joy, we now focus on inviting more joy into our lives. This involves reframing negative thoughts into more supportive ones, expressing gratitude, and prioritising time with loved ones.
Tip: Implementing a daily gratitude journal where you write down three things you’re grateful for each day can significantly increase your level of positive thinking and happiness (Emmons, 2003).
Gratitude
Today, reflect on the abundance in your life. Gratitude not only shifts our focus from what we lack to what we possess but also cultivates a life of contentment and peace.
Tip: Consider sending a thank you message or email to someone who has helped or inspired you recently, acknowledging their impact on your life.
Tending to Your Wellbeing
We wrapped up the week with the encouragement to prioritise overall wellbeing, treating your mental, emotional, and physical health with care and attention.
Regularly engaging in self-care practices, such as mindfulness meditation, regular physical activity, and adequate sleep, are essential for maintaining your wellbeing and enabling us to thrive in all aspects of life (Kabat-Zinn, 1990).
This week’s reflection questions:
- What does fun mean to you, and how can you bring more of it into your life?
- How will you savour joy today?
- What brings you genuine joy, and how can you incorporate more of it into your daily life?
- What is one way you can express your gratitude today?
- What self-care practices nourish your mind, body, and spirit, and how can you incorporate more of them into your daily routine?
Thank you for joining us in this week’s exploration of wellbeing and joy. Remember, wellbeing is about maintaining a balance between effort and rest, work and play, doing and being and finding ways to be your whole self.
Join us next time as we continue to delve deeper into practices that enhance our lives and learning — next up, “Compassion and Empathy.”
Makers Joy Team
References:
- Brown, S. (2009). Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul.
- Bryant, F. B., & Veroff, J. (2003). Savoring: A New Model of Positive Experience.
- Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). “Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
- Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness.
