Ask Bob Lampard

I am sure you have heard the hit single ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’ by Bobby McFerrin. The song has a very catchy way of conveying it’s message of being happy to everyone. Bobby McFerrin’s simple message surely made a lot of people happy simply by telling them not to worry.

Living a happy and optimistic life is wonderful, and is also good for your health. Being happy actually protects you from the stresses of life. Stress is linked to the top causes of death such as heart disease, cancer and strokes.

One of the better things ever said: ‘The only thing in life that will always remain the same is change’ and in our lives we have the power to make the necessary change if we want to.

• Social networks and relationships are essential to happiness.
• People are different. Accept people for who or what they are.
• Avoid clashes and constant arguments.
• Let go of all resentments.

Happiness is actually found in everyone. Increasing it is an easy way to make your life more wonderful as well as healthier.

To be happy is relatively easy. Just decide to be a happy person. Abraham Lincoln observed that most people, for most of their time, can choose how happy or stressed, relaxed or troubled, how bright or dull their outlook is to be. The choice is simple really…..choose to be happy!

There are several ways in which you can achieve this:

Being grateful is a great attitude. We have so much to be grateful for.

• Thank the taxi driver for bringing you home safely.
• Thank the cook for a wonderful dinner.
• Thank the guy who cleans your windows
• Thank the mailman for delivering your mail
• Thank the policeman for making your place safe, and..
• Thank God for being alive.

News is stressful. Get less of it. Some people just cannot seem to start their day without their daily dose of news. Think about it, 99% of news we hear or read about is bad news. Starting your day with bad news does not seem to be a sensible thing to do. Try listening to music in the mornings and leave reading the newspaper and listening to the news until at least lunchtime and see what a difference it makes to your day.

Laugh and laugh heartily everyday. Heard a good joke? Tell your friends and family. They do say ‘Laughter is the best medicine’.

Express your feelings, affections, friendship and passion to the people around you. They will most likely reciprocate your actions. Try not to keep pent up anger or frustrations. This is bad for your health. Instead find ways of expressing them in a way that will not cause injury or hurt to anyone.

Working hard brings tremendous personal satisfaction. It gives a feeling of being competent in finishing our tasks. Accomplishments are necessary for all of us. They give us a sense of value. Work on things that you feel are worthy of your time.

Learning is a joyful exercise. try and learn something new everyday. Learning helps us to expand and broaden our horizons and could also give us more opportunities in the future.

Run, jog, walk and do other things that our body was made for. Feel alive.

Avoid exposure to negative elements such as loud noises, toxins and hazardous places.

These are just a few simple things that you can do everyday to make you feel happy, and always remember the words of Abraham Lincoln, “Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be”.

Bob Lampard