You can learn how to be happy. It’s a skill that you can develop. But trying to make yourself feel happy immediately usually backfires- either you end up just seeking momentary pleasures like food, drugs, buying stuff, hooking up, or distracting yourself…all of which can make your life worse in the long run. Or you end up putting so much pressure on yourself to be happy that you make yourself more stressed out and miserable.
But that doesn’t mean it’s hopeless…you really can increase your happiness in life, it’s a skill you can foster. you can learn daily habits of happy people that can change your life. It’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot because it seems like these last two years have s****d the joy out of life a little bit. I used to go places, and see people and do things. I’m pretty sure I used to laugh more. It’s like my emotions are compressed, smashed down, and it’s easier to feel apathetic, numb, low energy and not a lot of excitement…
So…here’s what I’ve been doing to get that joy back into my life, and I think it’s working!
How to be happy again- this is part 1 of 3.
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Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health.
In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-p****o-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life’s direction.
And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love
If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or your local emergency services.
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