ARTICLES & BLOG

Shaileen Shah 05/03/2022 Shaileen Shah 05/03/2022

International Day of Happiness Virtual Festival hosted by Happy Life Habits

I don’t know about you but I’ve been feeling a bit down, some grief and just unmotivated recently - not my normal self. I think it is a combination of the World news and happenings in Ukraine, personal and work challenges, the mid-life crisis I’ve been in for the last 10 years! and life in general. I am digging deep into my habits of gratitude, journaling, mindfulness, kindness and learning.

At Happier Relationships workshop I shared how Connection is so important to our happiness and wellbeing. Study after study has shown this as has my own experience. That is part of why as Happy Life Habits we do workshops and sessions virtual but live so as to foster that sense of connection.

I have been invited by the Lohana Community of North London to share the Positive Grief talk next week which I am looking forward to. The sense of grief is part of what I am feeling due to the Ukraine war and hearing the stories of the changes and challenges the people are facing.

Also next week I am talking part in a Facebook live with Asian Parents Club where I have been given the opportunity to by one of the coaches to share and support in that group.

Join us for both of those events and also I invite you to the Happiness Festival we are hosting on the 19th March. It’s going to be very special and different and much needed at this time.

The UN's International Day of Happiness aims to make people around the world realize the importance of happiness within their lives.

Imagine a Happiness Festival a bit like the Ideal Home exhibition or trade show with different themed zones, show stages with scheduled events and individual stalls.

Multiple sessions running at the same time
Attendees free to move around
Various Zones such as Laughter, Happiness etc

We have a great line up of speakers and workshops for all including kids.

All this available globally and virtually. We are using the Wonder platform which is a great, easy to use platform from laptop/pc (does not work on tablet or phone). Fostering the different stalls, stages and activities. On the platform you will be able to see the running agenda of what is happening at what time and where. With a simply drag of you mouse you can go into your chosen activity/space.

To book FREE ticket and find out more visit the Festival page.

Happy Life Habits continues to run Gratitude & Journaling workshops and training, Positive Grief talks, Mental Health Awareness, etc. See the events page for more details.

If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list.

Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits

Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.

Shaileen Shah 29/10/2021 Shaileen Shah 29/10/2021

Extra Time - How will you spend it

What would you do if you had 60 mins more in the day?

More time on health, exercise, meditation, being with friends/family, sleeping, Netflix, working, learning?

Take a moment to really think.

What would you do if you had 60 mins more in the day?

More time on health, exercise, meditation, being with friends/family, sleeping, Netflix, working, learning?

Take a moment to really think.

Magic Wand waving...

Well those in the regions where clocks go back on Sunday you have the opportunity to use that "extra" hour.

I'll use it to learn and plan, what about you?

You could watch the Positive Grief recording, register for a HLH Course, watch Inspiration Point Podcast, do a google review or get a regular dose of positivity, inspiration, happiness with the regular sharing in the Happy Life Habits FaceBook Community Group

Positive Grief Action and Help Requested - takes 5 mins

Positive Grief - it's now been 4 weeks or almost 1 calendar month since I did this talk (recording plus additional resources can be accessed from here).

I'd really appreciate if you could take a few mins to fill out this short questionnaire so that:

(1) Get feedback on talk / recording

(2) Get input to develop a Free Positive Grief Support Group service

The questionnaire can be kept anonymous and you have the option to leave contact details if you want to be part of the Support Group etc.

Here is link for the questionnaire : https://forms.gle/toR4Kbe1fAyCRPpbA

Takes 5 mins

Thanks in advance

Stress

Stress is natural, it is our body and brain's way of protecting us from danger and threat - to save our life. I have often shared that stress itself is not the problem but how long we hold onto the stress is the problem. We need to learn to put the stress down before we pick up again.

This is where self care practices such as mindfulness, gratitude and journaling help.

These have helped me deal with the stresses of life and continue to do so. Don't wait to be chronically stressed to react to find a solution/remedy. Act proactively now and respond by investing in you self care and coping mechanisms to build your resilience.

Invest in the 30 Day Happy Life Habits Gratitude & Journal Habit Immersion Training Course - 2022 Dates have been amended.

Scentered : Product Review

I was aware that smells can evoke emotions and feelings. We can all relate to the case of freshly baked cookies / biscuits transporting us back to happy times in childhood or the sweet smell of cinnamon / gingerbread associated with Christmas. Also aware that Lavender can help with sleep. Our sense of taste is very much related to our sense of smell, remember when you have been ill with a blocked nose and everything tastes bland or different.

Smells detected by the nose send a message to the brain which sends to the limbic system which is important for memory, mood and emotion.

Some facts from https://www.aromaco.co.uk/20-fascinating-facts-about-our-sense-of-smell/

Your scent cells are renewed every 4 weeks
Studies show that 75% of emotions are triggered by smell which is linked to pleasure, well-being, emotion and memory
The sense of smell is the first of all our senses to develop. Even before we are born, our sense of smell is fully formed and functioning.
Your sense of smell accounts for 75-95% of the impact a flavour has. Without being able to smell the difference between onion and potato, it’d be difficult to tell them apart.

Recently I was given a product to review. It was the Scentered Signature Collection of Wellbeing Ritual Balms - 100% Aromatherapy. Not really having used aromatherapy or essential oils except on the occasions of having a cold using menthol or Eucalyptus based products and good old Vicks or a splash of aftershave after shaving I was curious.

This collection has five handy sized balms to help us feel:

De-stressed
Escape
Focus
Happy
Sleep Well

Each is blended with 100% natural, eco-conscious, plant based ingredients to create fragrances with therapeutic effects. Imagine you want to feel

De-stressed before an important meeting
Focused while you work on an important activity
Needing to get a good, rested sleep
Just need an uplift of feeling happier when feeling a little down
Escape and be inspired

then use the appropriate balm following the 3 simple steps:

STOP : apply to wrist, neck and temples
INHALE : deeply
RESET : your mood

I have done this before going to sleep when feeling in need of a deep relaxation, before sitting to get on with some work, before my public meetings and private meetings and it has been beneficial. The wonderful scents are released immediately as well as noticing them over time and reminding to be centred. Each is combined from 3 exotic ingredients including : Chamomile, Lemon Myrtle, Ylang Ylang, Frankincense, Sandalwood, Neroli amongst others.

The 3 simple steps are quick and easy to apply with the balms coming in a portable, handy size.

It is part of my self care ritual that I used these to feel a particular way at particular times. I also love the fact that 10% of net profits are donated to Women for Women International - a charity.

I applied focus balm before writing this piece, it worked.

Find out more at: https://scentere d.me/

https://s centered.me/products/signature-ritual-collection

Additional information

https://www.fifthsense.org.uk/psychology-and-smell/

https://www.aromaco.co.uk/20-fascinating-facts-about-our-sense-of-smell/

A mindfulness Exercise

There is a quick grounding mindfulness exercise called 5-4-3-2-1 related to the senses and observing and connecting to your senses right now, give it a go

5 - look for 5 things around you right now and say them out load

4 - 4 things you can touch and feel

3 - 3 things you can hear

2 - 2 things you can smell

1 - 1 thing you can taste

A request dear friend and reader.

(1) If you have enjoyed some of the articles I have shared and found useful please reply to shaileen@happylifehabits.co.uk and let me know.

(2) If you are not a subscriber to the Happy Life Habits email list - please sign up.

(3) If you think someone else might benefit from this please share with them.

(4) If you want to engage my services for coaching, speaking or training get in touch and lets see if we can create a win-win result.

If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list.

Happy Life Habit Events

Happy Life Habits FaceBook Community Group

Happy Life Habits FaceBook Page

Instagram happylifehabits_hlh

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaileen-shah/