Count Your Kindnesses 
A quick rebound from down in the dumps is to focus on someone other than yourself.
Those random acts of kindness benefit you as well as the recipient.
You can increase the impact on your own positive emotion by designating a day for doing, writing down and counting the kindnesses you do.
So go on a secret mission to see how many small acts of kindness you can perform for others in a single day. And see how you feel when you're done. I'm guessing that making their day will make yours as well.
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Savor The Season!
 Savoring, or stopping to take in the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of the season, is an excellent way to increase your positive emotion during the holidays.
So what is it for you?
The smell of gingerbread men baking? Hanukkah applesauce simmering in the crockpot? A certain holiday tune?
Whatever pleases your holiday senses, treat yourself to a date with it now. Breathe it in. Taste even a dab. Take in the sounds.
This sensory meditation can build your resilience for the days ahead.
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Do ruminations over holiday plans and relationships take you into a tailspin of negative thinking?
There's power in just STOPPING it, and to do that, psychology researcher Sonia Lyubomirsky recommends breaking free, taking action to solve the problem, and dodging those times, places and people who trigger your overthinking.
In her book The How of Happiness, she suggests five ways to break free when rumination comes on: (1) distract yourself with positive activites; (2) tell yourself (loudly) to "Stop It!"; (3) set aside a daily "rumination period," preferably at a time when you're not anxious or sad; (4) find a sympathetic ear and talk it out; and (5) write out your ruminations. No need to use all five. One or two that come most naturally will do just fine.
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Do The Gratitude Dance!
Gratitude is one of the most powerful builders of positive emotion. So the more gratitude you can muster during the holidays, the better.
Take a moment out of your harried day to join in this gratitude dance.
 Copyright 2012 Pat Snyder |
