For each of us the definition of “happy place” is a bit different.  The concept is common to all, that is, a place you can recharge and create a fresh perspective for yourself.

It’s a break from the chaos, a retreat from uncertainty, a shelter from stress, a shot of vitality.  What exactly is entailed in getting to your happy place is very personal, after all, it’s your happy place?

Stress Release

Having some stress can be motivational, distress is a form of stress which can be harmful.  When you percieve something to affect you adversely but not feasible for you to resolve it typically causes distress.

One  approach to aleviate the distress before it can harm you psycholigically, even physically , is to enter your happy place. You can use this technique to manage distress for a period.

The stressful event may pass  naturally ( like the hurricane that changes diection and misses you)  or the bad thing could happen (the hurricane hits), it is done and then you can go about recovery activities.

The happy place technique is a tool to help you focus on the positive.  It enables you to remain distracted from something where thinking about it is not helpful.

Mental Exercise

Finding your happy place is really just a personal mental exercise.  You are in control of your brain,  What you think about, the context and the associated stress elements are yours to manage.

Next time you feel the need for a little relief, find your happy place and go there. It is in your power, all that is required is accepting you have the ownership and capability.