Recommended for you

Finding Your Happy Place

Why it's important to have a happy place and how to find one that works for you

Sep 27, 2016

When I'm at a climbing competition, it can become extremely difficult to focus on the climb instead of your nerves. This is the same for people at any type of competition, contest, or stressful environment. It's important to be able to preform well in a high-stakes environment. There are many ways to cope with stress, nerves, and anxiety, but my personal favorite is finding a "happy place".

Happy Place: a place or a state of mind that a person associates with happiness, stress relief, and calmness.

Your happy "place" doesn't need to be an actual location- it can be a memory that you go back and relive. This usually comes along with some sort of a place, but the purpose of a happy place focuses on what you are feeling. For example, my favorite "happy place" is located in northern Indiana in a campsite of sorts, but what I remember about it is the calmness, relaxation, and general happiness that I felt.

Many people have a collection of their best memories that they can use, depending on the situation. A memory to help you relax would be very different than a memory to get you excited for something. When you need to get motivated, you shouldn't be thinking of something that helps you fall asleep.

Finding effective memories for each emotion can be difficult, because if it isn't strong enough then it won't work. (If you have read/seen the third Harry Potter in the series, this is very similar to what Professor Lupin teaches Harry about casting a "patronis" spell to defeat a Dementor.) Here are the basic steps to finding a happy place that works for you:

1. Figure Out What You Want To Achieve

How do you want this memory to make you feel? Are you looking for a happy, calm, or inspirational emotion?

2. Rack Your Brain

Recall all of your favorite memories...Maybe it's your wedding day or you graduation day, or maybe its something as simple as the day you spent with your best friend, mother, or grandchildren. Make a list (on paper or in your mind) of your top ten overall memories.

3. Eliminate One By One

Go through your list and get rid of all the memories that don't work for your emotion. Get rid of your slow sailboat trip if your trying to find something that will motivate you to finish your marathon. Then, close your eyes and experience each memory one by one. Which one works the best?

4. Rinse and Repeat

Anticipate your need for other happy places and store them in the back of your mind for later use.

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Lifestyle

10 Truths About Being In A Sorority

(For Girls Who Are Interested In Greek Life)

LaGrange College

468

Rebekah Lee

I remember my freshman year oh so well. I remember feeling terrified the night before orientation. The one thing that I dreaded the most was not the new people, the new environment, or even the academic pressure. I was dreading having to talk to sorority girls about Recruitment. I remember cutting off and avoiding any Rho Gamma/Panhellenic Officer that came my way during First Week. I looked at them like they had asked me to cut my arm off whenever they asked me if I wanted to rush. To be honest, I did not even know what rush was, but I knew that I did NOT want to be a part of it. To me, it was dumb. It was a waste of money. It was a waste of my time.

And guess what? I did not rush my freshman year. I spent the first half of my freshman year isolating myself from everyone on campus. I spent all of my time in the library, and then (since I was a commuter) went back home once my work was finished.

Keep Reading...Show less

sorority life

Entertainment

10 Must Watch Shows During Winter Break

You've gotta do something.

Grand Canyon University

131

Netflix

Now that the semester is over, you are probably wondering what your purpose of life is beside writing essays and constantly studying. Breaks give you time for some rest and relaxation, and what better way to relax than cuddling with some hot cocoa and some Netflix. Here is a list compiled of shows that must make it into your binge watching sessions, with the website in which you can find it. Enjoy!

Keep Reading...Show less

must watch

Adulting

The Struggles of Being A Last Semester Senior, As Told By Michael Scott

25 reasons your last semester in college is the best and worst time of your life

Truman State University

1352

The day you walked onto your school's campus for the first time you were scared, excited, and unsure of how the next four years of your life were going to turn out. You doubted it would go fast and even though you weren't positive about what your future plans would hold, you had plenty of time. You figured out your major, added a minor or two, joined a handful of organizations and all of the sudden you're here. Your final semester of undergrad. Now you've got 25 problems and graduation is only one.

Keep Reading...Show less

last semester

Student Life

Syllabus Week At UD Explained By "The Office"

"The Office" understands the struggle of the first week back from winter break.

University of Dayton

1080

January 19th is the first day of the second semester at the University of Dayton, and students couldn't be more excited. However, the excitement that students are experiencing may be short-lived once they see what this semester's courses will entail. Although students will be happy to be back at Dayton, they may realize this semester will be more difficult than they predicted. Here are some things that happen during syllabus week explained by " The Office."