THE HAPPY ZONE

THE HAPPY ZONE

Monday 31 January 2011

INSOMNIA? SOME EASY TIPS TO HELP YOU SLEEP!

In today's stressful world, many of us can have problems sleeping and the less we sleep, the more stressed we get. So, we thought today we'd give you all some handy hints on how to beat those irritating bouts of insomnia!

  • Try having a cup of camomile tea before bed; camomile is known for it's relaxing properties.
  • Put lavender oil on your pillow or rub some on your pulse points.
  • Don't drink any caffeine drinks (tea, coffee, cola etc) before bedtime. In fact, it's best to cut them out entirely while you're suffering from insomnia.
  • Gentle exercise during the day can help relax you enough to aid your sleep. Swimming, jogging or aerobics are all good.
  • Take up some form of yoga and meditation. This can help clear your mind of negative thoughts.
  • You can always try natural sleeping pills like Kalms or something similar for short-term relief.
  • Eat lettuce in the evening! Yes, I know this sounds odd but lettuce contains an opium-related substance combined with traces of the anticramping agent hyoscyarnin thus being a really good sleep aid.
  • Hot milk - this is another old remedy that really works for a lot of people.
  • Avoid alcohol - a few too many glasses of wine may knock you out, but your sleep pattern will be disrupted and you'll end up feeling worse than ever!
  • Try not to have too much electronic equipment in your bedroom - it's not a good idea to watch television in bed or spend time on your laptop when you should be clearing your mind and beginning to relax.
  • Have a relaxing bath before you go to bed.
  • Have a regular massage, particularly in the evening before bedtime.
  • Routine - if possible, try and go to bed at roughly the same time every night.
  • If you still can't sleep, try not to stress about it. Just get up and walk around the house, perhaps try and read a book then just go back to bed and try again. 
If you have any easy tips for insomnia please get in touch with us here, on Twitter or on our Facebook Page. Sleep well!!!  


Saturday 29 January 2011

TRY THIS EASY 10 MINUTE MEDITATION EXERCISE




As part of the BBC News "Happiness Challenge" we thought we'd share with you this very effective short meditation video. It's worth doing this every day as meditation can definately help center you and improve your sense of well being.
Let us know how you get on and feel free to share your own meditation tips and techniques!

Friday 28 January 2011

FRIDAY FUNNY!!!!


We here at The Happy Zone hope you've all had a good week. Here's something to make you smile. If you have any jokes or cartoons you'd like to share then don't hesitate to contact us. Have a great weekend!

Monday 24 January 2011

THE HAPPINESS CHALLENGE!


We're always looking for ways to make ourselves and others happy here at The Happy Zone and we want to share this latest enterprise with you. BBC Breakfast have suggested we all try the "Happiness Challenge" in conjunction with the new Action For Happiness charity.
There are only three parts to the challenge -

  • 10 minutes of meditation.
  • Writing down good things that happen to you and a letter expressing your gratitude.
  • Doing one or more additional acts of kindness every day.
Hop on over to the BBC News website for more details and to download the Happiness Challenge workbook. 
Let us know how you get on! 

Friday 21 January 2011

FUNNY FRIDAY!!


Just a little something to make you smile at the end of another hard week! Feel free to email us and share your own jokes and cartoons or post on The Happy Zone Facebook Page

Wednesday 19 January 2011

POSITIVE NEWS From Around The World

I thought I'd draw your attention today to a fantastically uplifting quarterly international newspaper "Positive News", which focuses on the stories the mainstream press often ignores. They look at environmental, social and healthy issues in a positive and supportive way and can be found being given out free of charge at many health food shops in the UK and elsewhere. "Positive News" is also available on subscription.



Check out the Positive News website for more information and start bringing a little happiness into your reading habits!



Friday 14 January 2011

FUNNY FRIDAY!!!


Hi everyone! Today is Funny Friday so we thought we'd cheer you all up with this silly cartoon!
If you have any jokes or cartoons you'd like to share feel free to get in touch! Have a great weekend! 

Friday 7 January 2011

FIVE EASY WAYS TO BE HAPPIER


We all have days when we feel like we can't get out of bed and that the whole world is against us. These feelings can drag us down and make us depressed and miserable. But there are some simple ways and means that can help lift our spirits and even help prevent depression - yes, even during the miserable Winter months!

  • Exercise - Numerous studies have shown proof that regular exercise is one of the best ways to beat those blues. Just 30 minutes a day could make all the difference! An easy way could be walking to work.
  • Food - Stop eating the junk, cut out refined foods, sweets and fizzy drinks. Replace these with fresh fruit and veg every day as well as oily fish (like mackerel) 3 times a week.
  • EFT - This stands for Emotional Freedom Techniques and is a form of alternative psychotherapy that uses tapping on acupuncture points as a means of tackling many emotional and physical problems. Once you've mastered the technique, a round of "tapping" takes just a couple of minutes and can help lift your mood.
  • Friends - Another tried and tested way of lifting your mood is to spend some quality fun time with friends - grab some mates and go for a walk and a chat; you'll be amazed at how much this can make you feel happier in no time!
  • Treat Yourself! - Sometimes just a short quick fix is enough to make yourself feel better so why not treat yourself to your favourite healthy snack, a book or cd that you've been desperate to own for ages or an Indian head massage. 

What do YOU do to make yourself feel happier? Tweet or email us with your tips and positive stories or share your views on our Facebook Page!


Thursday 6 January 2011

What Makes You Smile?


What makes you smile? Trying to decide what to talk about in today's post, I stumbled upon some clips from my favourite new sitcom "Miranda" and couldn't resist dropping everything and becoming engrossed in Miranda's ridiculous world for more than just a while! 
I don't know how well the humour translates to any readers outside the UK but maybe you can let me know. And it would be great if you could share with us any TV shows that bring a smile to your face!


Tuesday 4 January 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR!


Happy New Year everyone! 2010 was a tough year for many of us but here at 'The Happy Zone' we are looking forward to the coming year and want to help make this a happy and healthy twelve months for all of us!
We'll be looking at various self-help techniques, EFT, exercise, healthy eating, money-saving tips and offers, positive stories from around the world and much, much more!
Sometimes we'll just publish a happy picture, a joke or any good news we get to hear; anything to make our lives just a little brighter each and every day!
If you have anything happy and positive you'd like to share with 'The Happy Zone' just email us at happyzoneblog@yahoo.co.uk
Don't forget you can also follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/Happyzoneblog