How to be a happier, more positive person!

Hello readers, I am Diana Duque, your go-to Life Coach. Well, happiness isn’t just a warm and fuzzy feeling. It’s like the secret sauce that makes life more delicious!

I questioned myself, "When am I the happiest?" and the answer comes easily to my mind: when I travel with my friends.

There is something truly exciting and magical about traveling, especially to unknown places, immersing myself in new cultures, trying different foods, dealing with diverse currencies, meeting new people, staying in hotels I've never been to, and experiencing new languages. I could spend hours writing about how much joy traveling brings me.

I've always loved to travel. When I was 20, I took a gap year and backpacked around the world. I could write a book filled with stories from that special year.

Now, at 40 years old, my approach to traveling has evolved. When I travel with my family (husband and three boys aged 7, 5, and 3), the excitement is different, and it can get quite stressful. The logistics and packing can become chaotic, and I tend to prioritize everyone else before myself. Sometimes, after a family holiday, I feel like I need another vacation! Does that make sense to you?

Thankfully, a couple of years ago, I started traveling with my friends, and it has been AMAZING!

For me, a good friendship increase your sense of belonging and purpose, having friends also prevent isolation and loneliness and give you a chance to offer companionship too.

the good thing (one of the things that I am most grateful of) is that my friends help me celebrate my good times and provides me with support during the bad times.

Thank you! you know who you are!!

Let's start with tips for how to be a more positive person

FRIENDSHIPS: Friends play a significant role in promoting your overall health. In fact, studies have found that older adults who have meaningful relationships and social support are likely to live longer! It is important that you keep in touch with your friends, ask them to meet up for a coffee, be there for them when they need you.

Socialise, socialise and socialise!!! I would not be where I am right now if it wasn't for my friends.

If you are struggling to make friends, go out, talk with the person next to you at the coffee shop, introduce yourself to neighbours, attend community events or maybe take up a new hobby or activity.

BE GRATEFUL: Gratitude has a strong impact on well-being, it increases self-esteem, enhances positive emotions and makes us more optimistic. When we feel deep happiness, our bodies are producing all sorts of wonderful chemicals, like dopamine and serotonin.

How you can start practising gratitude? I would recommend you to start journaling. Journaling every day is also correlated with an increase in happiness. You can write things that you are grateful for, for example, be thankful for your health, appreciated the roof over your head, be thankful for the warm cup of tea you are enjoying, being able to have free time to the gym or be thankful for having good friends.

BE KIND TO YOURSELF: One of most effective ways to alleviate stress, worry and general life anxieties is to practise more kindness and self-compassion. You are counting on yourself to love yourself. In my coaching sessions, we talk about how important it is to love yourself, value yourself, and to have self-love and self-respect. Loving yourself requires you to be kind, gentle and compassionate with yourself always, even when you fail. Remember that it is OK to not be OK.

Treat yourself to quiet time if you need it, give yourself a pat in the back sometimes. I like to treat myself when I achieved something that is important for me, for example I like to treat myself to a warm bubble bath with candles and I love to use incense. I definitely feel happier and calmer after my treat!

EXERCISE :Here we go again, I mention this often, I cannot explain to you how important it is for your mental and physical health, to exercise. You should exercise daily, physical activity stimulates many brain chemicals that will leave you feeling happier, more relaxed and less anxious. You will feel better about your appearance and yourself, which will have an amazing boost on your confidence and self-esteem! Please, please, please, try to exercise everyday, even if it is a brisk walk.

EAT BETTER: A healthy diet promotes a healthy gut, which communicates with the brain through what is known as the gut-brain axis. Microbes in the gut produce neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which regulates our moods and emotions.

You can add gut-friendly foods into your diet: Miso, kefir, Sauerkraut, almonds, olive oil, broccoli, yogurt, peas, banana, garlic, Roquefort cheese, ginger, garlic, and Kombucha. I LOVE to drink kombucha! I recommend it to all my friends.

DO MORE OF THE THINGS YOU LIKE TO DO: If you enjoy watching football or a movie with your friends, do it more often. If you enjoy reading a book, do it more often. If you enjoy cooking from scratch, do it more often. If you enjoy singing in the shower, do it more often.

Doing something you are good at and enjoy, it's a good way to enjoy yourself and have a sense of achievement. Try to avoid things that seem enjoyable at the time but make you feel worse afterward, such as drinking too much alcohol or eating junk food.

I enjoy travelling, a good spa day and going out with my friends.

WORK ON YOURSELF: Working on yourself will make you feel happier. Start eating better, exercise, sleep well, take time to relax and enjoy life and go to therapy if you need to. As a professional Life Coach, I can work with you to reach your goals, to make you feel feel better in your own skin, and live a more fulfilled life.

" The only person who can pull me down is myself, and I am not going to let myself pull me down anymore"

If you believe you need a life coach, that’s fantastic! 🌟 Seeking guidance and support is a powerful step toward personal growth. Whether you’re navigating career transitions, relationships, or simply want to level up your life, a life coach can be a valuable ally.

Remember, you’re the protagonist of your own story, and a life coach can help you fine-tune your plot twists. 📖✨

Feel free to explore my website or reach out to me. Let’s embark on this journey together! 🚀🌈

www.dianaduquelifecoach.com Diana Duque

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