No time to read? No problem. There’s an audio version added for you, so Tanya reads the article to you!
We live in an achievement-oriented society that can lead us into “destination thinking.” We might hear ourselves saying things like, “I’ll be more satisfied at work when I get a raise or promotion,” or, “I’ll be happy when I meet someone.”
But what if we could be happy right now, regardless of our circumstances or situations?
Happiness can be a temporary experience, so I prefer to strive for contentment. Contentment seems to have a more lasting effect because it comes from building resilience and learning to cope with the pain of life in a healthy way.
Contentment comes to me through CBT – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. CBT not only helps me remain free from addictions, but also helps me stay aware of my emotions, my thought patterns, and my self-talk. Thinking therapies like CBT teach me the techniques and tools I can use to manage my emotions and take persistent actions that will bring me the results I seek.
Here are a few things to practice every day to help cultivate contentment in your life:
1. Practice the Pause.
When you find yourself unhappy with someone or something, pause. Take a moment to put in some perspective and accept life and people as they are. There’s great power in knowing that the only thing we can control in life is ourselves.
2. Show appreciation.
When you speak & act with kindness, you build up your own emotional bank account.
3. Stop buying stuff.
When you feel the urge to buy something, think about whether it’s a “need” or a “want.” If it’s a “want,” think about why you’re not content with what you already have.
When we feed instant gratification, we learn to cope with life in a lazy way. When we can postpone gratification, we teach our brain to be resilient and then, overcoming urges becomes easier. What we practice grows stronger!
4. Learn to enjoy simple things.
Doing this is so much easier when we live in a town like Goderich. Take a walk around our beautiful town square! Walk our world-renowned waterfront boardwalk. Go to the library and learn something new. These things are free and often bring more fulfillment than things you buy.
5. Live in the moment.
Waiting for a day when your life is less busy or less stressful may never come. Focus on the positives of today, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
Contentment is simply appreciation and acceptance for the way things are right now. For me, contentment is a feeling that ripples through all areas of my life, so I no longer need to escape from my life!
Hope this gave you some inspiration to make some positive changes for Better Mental Health. Please share with your family and friends.
Until next time – may your coffee, your heart, and your patience be strong!
May the force be with you,
and remember…
YOU are the force!
Tanya
Tanya MacIntyre is a Certified CBT Specialist, Mental Health Fitness Trainer, and founder of Red Roof Recovery (RRR) and its training division Mental Health Fitness Alliance ~ MHFA.
DISCLAIMER: This content is not intended to constitute, or be a substitute for, medical diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard medical advice from a doctor, or delay in seeking it, because of something you have watched, read, or heard from anyone at RRR or MHFA.