The Essential Being of Happiness by Nandini Valsan –Wellness Advocate

As the world emerges from the depths of COVID 19 (fingers crossed) and everyone slowly gets back to a relatively normal life, certain new realities have surfaced.

That life is short. That we have to make the best of it by living it to its full potential. That happiness has to be in the present, not something to aspire to in the future. That a happy life has to start from within. That when we look after ourselves properly, we take care of the people in our life as well. That Self Care is the most precious gift.

Often, with our relentless pursuit of financial security and career growth; along with our many other responsibilities towards family and society, the person we neglect the most is ourselves. We keep our wellbeing on the backburner, with the mental note that we will “take care of it” when everything else falls into place. But life is not like that, things never all fall into place. And the longer we take to take care of ourselves, the more the chance that the ignored body and mind will retaliate. Either through physical illnesses, or mental health ailments. This not only affects us, but also our families and even those at our workplace.

It is now essential for us to etch out time in our own schedules for an appointment with our inner selves. Even if it is just for 15 minutes a day, prioritizing yourself and your needs will slowly translate into a more fulfilled, productive, and most importantly happy you.

While this may be accomplished in different ways, the most comforting and rejuvenating is when we connect with the natural elements around us; using all the senses that we have been bestowed with. For instance, try a barefooted walk on fresh grass to ground yourself with Mother Earth and allow that eternal connection energize your cells. Sit outside on a moonlit night and consciously breathe in the radiance emanating from the skies. Light a few scented candles in the home, turn on music and imbibe the warmth the ambience creates. Walk along the beach and feel the thrill of the gushing wetness that the waves bring along with them. Nature abundantly surrounds us with all the therapy that our individual souls need, we just need to channelize them into our lives.

It is not always practically possible for us to get out into nature, and that’s when we can look towards alternate routes towards similar fulfillment. Meditation, exercise, and in particular, massages are effective ways to harness intrapersonal benefits. A full body massage that incorporates essential oils removes toxins from our body and gives much relief to our tired muscles. But more importantly, it is also acknowledged that the techniques used during massages release endorphins, serotonin and dopamine. These are all positive and “happy” hormones that are responsible for reducing anxiety, increasing a sense of wellbeing, and boosting motivation and enthusiasm. Hence, incorporating regular body massages into your routine will guide you towards performing at your optimal potential.

It was in 2012, that the UN General Assembly proclaimed 20^th March as the International Day of Happiness with the emphatic statement “that the pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human goal.” The General Assembly resolution decreed that sustainable development needed an inclusive and balanced approach to economic growth that promoted happiness and wellbeing of all peoples.

However it is now, after the wrath unleashed by the pandemic, that companies, communities, and individuals are acknowledging the importance of wellbeing. Let us learn from these lessons and strive to work towards this happier existence, by working on our individual selves…for the betterment of our world at large.