Yes, You Can Be Happy

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A Simple Path to Wellness

Yes, you can be happy, and if you’re reading this right now, you already believe in the possibility of positive change. We’re grateful that you trust our words, and we’re here to guide you toward a better, healthier version of yourself. Now, let’s talk about the connection between happiness and health. There may be countless reasons why you feel unhappy, but one thing’s for sure-the first thing that takes a hit when we feel down is our health. Whether it’s physical, mental, or both, unhappiness begins to chip away at our well-being, and before we know it, we’re stuck in a vicious cycle: unhappiness robs us of health, and in turn, poor health drags us further into unhappiness.

Photo by: Valeria Ushakova

But here’s the good news: you can break this cycle. It’s within your power, and we believe in you, even if you don’t quite believe it yet. So, how do you do it? The key is to focus on one thing at a time, and in this case, we start with health. Now, when we say health, we don’t just mean medical reports with everything in the normal range. We mean taking the time to nurture both your body and mind. Once you start this practice, everything else will begin to fall into place.

Breaking the Cycle: Start with Simple Steps

One of the best ways to pamper your body and mind is through a simple daily routine that you can incorporate into your life with ease. Let’s begin with something easy: set aside just 5 minutes each morning for yourself. That’s it. Five minutes to yourself, away from distractions. If possible, sit on the ground in a quiet space, but if that’s not feasible, sitting in a chair works too. Set an alarm for 5 minutes, and let’s begin with breathing exercises. In yoga, we refer to this as “Pranayama”-the practice of controlled breathing.

Photo by: Natalie Bond

Here are three simple pranayam exercises to get you started:

1. Bhastrika pranayama (Bellows Breath)
   This exercise helps to invigorate the body and clear the mind. Here’s how to do it in a simple manner:
   • Sit comfortably, keeping your spine straight and shoulders relaxed.
   • Close your fists and place them in front of you
   • Inhale deeply through your nose raising your fists upwards, filling your lungs completely.
   • Exhale forcefully through your nose while bringing your fists down, making a short, sharp sound like a bellow
   • Perform this for 10 cycles of inhale and exhale.
   • After finishing, take a 30-second relaxation break. Focus on your breath and let your body relax.

https://stock.adobe.com/video/video-of-a-woman-performing-bhastrika-pranayama/605893370

1. Bhramari Pranayam (Bee Breath)
   This calming exercise helps reduce stress and improve concentration. Here’s how to do it in a simple manner:
   • Close your eyes and gently press your index fingers to your ears, closing off the ear canal.
   • Take a deep breath in, and as you exhale, make a humming sound like a bee.
   • The vibrations should be felt in your head and throat.
   • Repeat this 5 times.
   • Follow this with a 30-second relaxation break, letting the sound vibrations settle within you.

https://stock.adobe.com/video/video-of-a-woman-performing-bhramari-pranayama-bee-breath/605893392

1. Anulom Vilom (Nadi Shodhan Pranayam)
   This is a popular balancing and purifying breathing technique. Here’s how to do it:
   • Sit comfortably with your spine straight and shoulders relaxed.
   • Close your right nostril with your thumb and inhale deeply through the left nostril.
   • Close your left nostril with your ring finger and exhale through your right nostril.
   • Inhale deeply through the right nostril, then close the right nostril and exhale through the left nostril.
   • This completes one cycle. Perform this for 5 cycles.
   • After completing, take another 30-second relaxation break.

https://stock.adobe.com/video/video-of-a-woman-performing-anulom-vilom/606673718

Photo by: Ivan Samkov

Done!

You’ve just completed your first five minutes of pranayam. It may seem simple, but these exercises are incredibly effective in calming the mind, energizing the body, and setting a peaceful tone for the rest of your day. You can adjust the time or number of repetitions based on your schedule and convenience. The most important thing is that you’re taking the time to nurture yourself. Remember, health is the foundation of happiness, and by focusing on your well-being, you are already on your way to breaking the vicious cycle. So, take it one step at a time-start small, stay consistent, and watch as health and happiness begin to flow naturally into your life. Yes, you can be healthy and happy-and this is just the beginning!