The Happier Life Project

Water is involved in just about everything our body does, but often we can take it for granted.

Scientists have found evidence that practicing gratitude may have powerful health benefits making you happier, reducing anxiety, and boosting your immune system. There is also evidence that it increases our optimism, relieves depression, improves sleep, lowers blood pressure and strengthens our relationships.

This is a simple mindful meditation to get you ready for your work day written and narrated by Jade Langridge. Jade is the owner of Blossom Therapies, a holistic practice offering Counseling, Hypnotherapy, Reiki / Intuitive energy healing, and Light Language. 

This mindfulness practice is about pointing our attention towards different senses: sight, sound, taste, touch, smell, and our thoughts. 

Leaves on a stream is a technique used in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to cope with uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. This technique uses a concept called cognitive defusion, which works by creating distance and disconnecting from thoughts and feelings, as a way to reduce the power they have over us. 

During leaves on a stream, you will practice cognitive defusion by clearing your mind and visualizing a stream. Whenever a thought enters your mind, you will briefly observe it, place it upon a leaf, and watch as it floats down the stream.

Psychologist and founder of the mindful living collective, Dr Elisha Goldstein, shares an anxiety hack when you notice you’re bracing to help you to recognize, release and refocus. Then for the last minute, Dr Elisha will guide into some Diaphragmatic Breathing.

The more time you spend in mindful awareness of your surroundings, body, or mind, the more you can practice observing without judging. Try reviewing your day honestly and without judgment by following this simple guided meditation. 

Sometimes when we get up, we go straight ahead into the day without even noticing how we feel. Our mind is either already in the future anticipating forthcoming events, or in the past reliving something that has already happened. Day one's mindful activity is just to take a few minutes to sink into our body and prepare ourselves for the start of the challenge, via grounding and breathing. 

Mindfulness is the practice of gently focusing your awareness on the present moment over and over again, free from distraction or judgment. Studies suggest that focusing on the present can have a positive impact on our health and well-being, reducing stress, improving memory, focus and attention and decreasing emotional reactivity. Mindfulness-based treatments have also been shown to reduce anxiety and depression, there's even  evidence that mindfulness can lower blood pressure and improve sleep. 

Before we begin season 2 of The Happier Life Project podcast we invite you to take part in our month of mindfulness challenge. Every day we will release a new short audio clip with a different mindfulness practice with the invitation to do something good for your state of mind every day for 30 days. 

To conclude season one of the Happier Life Project host Gabby looks back at some of her favourite most profound and helpful tips and takeaways from some of the guests. Concentrating on the subjects that most seem to really struggle with covering confidence, self love, childhood wounds, negative thoughts, imposter syndrome and a cluttered mind.

To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast

To follow My Possible Self on instagram: @mypossibleself

To follow Gabby on instagram: @radiogabby