As Thanksgiving approaches, our minds naturally turn towards gratitude and traditionally express thanks during this season. As you head into the Thanksgiving season, we invite you to turn this practice beyond a single day and make it a lasting habit. With the 21-Day Happiness Challenge, you can train your brain to cultivate positivity and optimism daily.
Did you know that it takes just 21 days of consistency to adopt a new habit? This challenge invites us to adopt one of five positive habits, empowering us to skillfully navigate life's challenges and enhance our overall well-being.
We encourage you to take on one of the following habit challenges a day:
- Three Gratitudes: Pause to take note of three new things each day that you are grateful for. Doing so will help your brain start to retrain its pattern of scanning the world, looking not just for the negative inputs but for the positive ones.
- Journaling: Detail, in writing, one positive experience each day. This will help you find meaning in the activities of the day, rather than just noticing the task.
- Fun Fifteen: Exercising for 15 minutes a day not only brings physical benefits, but it also teaches your brain to believe your behavior matters, which then carries (positively) into other activities throughout the day.
- Meditation: Take just two minutes per day to simply breathe and focus on your breath going in and out. Doing so will train your mind to focus, reduce stress, and help you be more present in the moment.
- Conscious Acts of Kindness: This can be something simple, for example, write one positive email or note to praise or thank someone each day. Not only does it benefit the recipient, but it also increases your feeling of social support.
By embracing these positive habits, we not only can express gratitude but also create a more well-rounded mindset that is ready to take on academic and social challenges.