Happiness Happens Month: What’s in Your Recipe for Joy?
By Gabriele Silyte, your Health Coach at Medics PCN
August is Happiness Happens Month – a lovely opportunity to pause and reflect on what really brings us joy, and how we can bring more of it into our daily lives.
Many of us go through the motions each day without truly asking ourselves:
“Am I happy?”
“What actually makes me feel good?”
It’s crucial for our mental well-being to take a moment to check in with ourselves. By pausing and asking how we’re truly feeling, we can identify stress or fatigue early on. This simple act of self-awareness helps us understand our needs and respond to them with care, preventing burnout and promoting a sense of balance and happiness.
Bake Your Own Perfect Cake
Here’s a little exercise that might help. Imagine your happiness as a perfectly baked cake. To get it just right, you need the right mix of ingredients. Everyone’s recipe is different.
Think of the things that genuinely make you feel balanced, energised or content. These are your ingredients for happiness.
Here’s what my recipe looks like:
- Stay active – I go for a run at least once a week. It clears my head and boosts my mood.
- Socialise – Meeting friends for a drink or doing something fun at the weekend keeps me connected.
- Don’t isolate – Spending too much time at home can make me feel low, so I make sure to get out.
- Get outside – A bit of sun works wonders. Even just being outdoors, especially with the unpredictable UK weather, helps lift my spirits.
Now it’s your turn. What are your ingredients? Try writing them down. You might be surprised how helpful it is to see it all on paper.
Feeling Happier at Work
Work is a big part of life, so it’s important to feel supported and comfortable in that environment too.
Here are a few ways to help create a more positive workplace:
- Aim for a friendly and supportive atmosphere where everyone feels valued.
- Keep communication open and honest. Let colleagues and managers know what helps you do your best.
- Make space for work-life balance. Take breaks, use your holiday, and avoid working overtime too often.
- Lead by example. Small acts of kindness and positivity can go a long way.
If you’re unsure what might help you thrive at work, take a moment to reflect. What could make your day feel more enjoyable or manageable?
Need a Bit of Support?
If you’re struggling with low mood, anxiety, or just don’t feel quite yourself, you’re not alone. Everyone goes through ups and downs.
Our Mental Health Support Page lists a range of services that are free, confidential, and easy to access. Reaching out can be the first step to feeling better.
What Will You Add to Your Cake?
Happiness isn’t always about big changes. Often, it’s the little habits and choices we make each day that shape how we feel.
This August, why not sit down with a cup of tea and sketch out your own version of the “Bake Your Own Perfect Cake” diagram? Think of it as a personal recipe card for your wellbeing. Pin it somewhere you’ll see often – as a gentle reminder of what you need to feel more like you.
Happiness happens, sometimes in small moments. Let’s pay attention to those and create more of them, together.