By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
We all need a happy spot to escape tension, stress, and conflict when life’s challenges threaten to steal our joy. Some people know where this place is and striving to return physically or mentally instills peace, happiness, and a sense of safety. Others of us aren’t sure. But we long to find the place where headaches fade and muscles soften, allowing us to be renewed so we can push through problems.
When we aren’t able to relax, we’re headed for exhaustion and unable to work to our full potential. Establishing our special place takes a little effort, but it’s so worth the effort.
Take a look at the following 11 ideas to help find your happy spot.
- A creative person longs for means of artful expression. When something of beauty is attained, imagination swirls and emotions are gratified. A variety of art forms can fill the need: a walk through a museum; adding color to a blank canvas; playing a musical instrument; listening to a concert; cooking a five-course dinner, and the list goes on.
- Connecting with nature and experiencing the quiet world often clears the mind.
- The company of other people can eliminate stress, especially family and friends who love unconditionally no matter what we have or haven’t done.
- Simple blessings of life often provide sweet moments of joy—the first cup of coffee of the morning, watching a sunrise or a fiery sunset, volunteer work, or relishing in a child’s smile.
- We may find our happy spot by completing a personal goal. Satisfaction of a job well done may be what we need to regroup.
- Curling up with a good book or enjoying a movie could be our form of relaxation.
- Happiness can mean a beautiful location as in a favorite vacation spot. We might crave the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore or the sight of an eagle flying over a mountain peak.
- Exercise stimulates the brain and allows clarity. Some personalities look forward to daily exercise as a highlight of their day.
- Hobbies are a great way to tune out the world and relax.
- Pets are soothing for many people. We may bask in the devotion of a pet and the time spent with this special animal or bird.
- Worship has the ability to draw people away from themselves and into pure adoration and spiritual happiness for our God.
Whatever our personality, establishing a happy spot allows us to relax. Use one of these techniques to calm your frazzled nerves.
Do you have a happy spot you can share with us?
DiAnn’s Library Corner
Library Tip: From novels to travel books, reading offers a relaxing getaway for all people. Your library provides benefits for every person in your community.
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Comments 15
Hi DiAnn. I enjoy sitting in my mother’s rocking chair in front of my fireplace, coffee (or hot chocolate) in hand, talking to God. And then…a good book.
Hi Rebecca, that sounds heavenly.
I have many happy spots. One of my favorite is sitting on the couch with our 18 months old grandson in my lap. Lots of snuggles and giggles. Singing “Jesus Loves Me” to him is very special.
Melissa, I love your happy spot. Grandchildren are a joy only God can provide.
My happiest place is when I enter in, in the Name of my LORD Jesus Christ, to sit upon the lap of my Father, resting my head upon His breast desiring to hear what is in His heart. What a glorious place:)
Vondia, I believe you just ushered us into the throne room of God. Thank you.
Won’t it be wonderful there….as the old hymn says?
I love your list and so many of the suggestions resonated. I guess I need a lot of happy places! First thing in the morning in my big fluffy chair with a cup of coffee and my bible. Long walks in the countryside (the less civilized the better), on the porch with a good book and my cat in my lap and the dogs at my feet…those are the places I get to often. The one I can only go to a few times a year is beside a stream in the mountains. And the one I can only go to in my mind is my great grandmother’s kitchen. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to pause in my day and think about my happy places.
Thank you, Lori, reading your post reminded me of being in my grandmother’s kitchen. There was a peace in watching her prepare food. Must have been the love. Thank you!
DiAnn, So many of your suggestions hit home with me. But perhaps my favorite was when my husband and I were volunteer caretakers at a lighthouse on an island off the coast of Maine. I’m not really a morning person (as in able to think clearly), but I loved getting up early to watch the sunrise over the water, enjoy the quiet awakening of the island, and read my devotions and Bible with God, as if He and I were alone together in that moment.
Marilyn, what a lovely volunteer job. I’m a morning person and would have loved watching the sunrise too. Thanks so much!
I love mornings because they speak of refreshment after rest, brand new beginnings, lifting my heart in worship to our Lord and Creator! It may sound strange from someone born in a hot climate, but I love to see the pure snow, the drifts, feel the bracing cold, and realize how small we are before
God, yet He stoops to enfold us in His love, and invite us to share His likeness! Another, among the too-many-to count happy spots, is the array of varieties of food, singing, and the joy I receive as I
communicate and dance with my Dementia patient.
Hi Frances, I love mornings too. Seems like I’m getting up with God, although He never sleeps. Snow is pretty to see but that’s the extent of my fondness. 🙂
Ideally, I love sitting quietly at the beach and listening to the roar of the waves as they wash ashore while my thoughts try to take in the vastness of God. Then there’s the breathtaking views of being in the clouds on top of a mountain. When I can’t be at either place I sit on my screened deck, with my coffee and Bible in hand and meditate on him.
Oh, Loretta, I so understand. My fav place is the mountains. Thanks so much for sharing!