For Happiness, Avoid the Momentum Traps of Unhappiness

Lying on the couch, vegging out in front of the TV, it becomes so easy to just keep doing that. That is my big Momentum Trap.

Overeating makes it easier to continue overeating.

Feeling sorry for yourself... focusing on the negative... thinking about things that do not make you happier... it just gets easier and easier.

It is all about momentum. The momentum of your life, your day, your attitude. Momentum can be a trap that we all fall into; and from which we all have the power to pull ourselves.

Step One -- Recognize Your Momentum Traps
Think about it. What are the things you do that put you on a path toward negativity of any kind? It could be something big, like dwelling on something important in life that has gone differently than you wanted; or it could be any of the small things in life that we allow to drag us down (lying around doing nothing productive, eating poorly, or lingering over the myriad injustices that happen to any of us on any given day).

Step Two -- Do Something, Anything, Positive to Make a Change in Your Momentum
Really, it is just that simple, at least to start; and it gets easier and easier, and becomes more of a habit, the more you do it.

Here are a few Momentum Changers that work for me:

• Take a walk
• Call a friend or someone else I enjoy
• Pick up a book
• Make a to-do list and start working in it
• Get out and do pretty much anything
• Clean something
• Go to the gym
• Write in a journal
• Volunteer for a local charity

Your Momentum Changers will be unique to you. Thinking it through, finding your Momentum Changers, and using them when you fall into Momentum Traps, can make a huge difference in your day-to-day life. The more you do it, the easier it will get, and the happier you will be.