Optimism and zest for life

In a world flooded with negative headlines, climate crises, and what feels like a thousand WhatsApp groups, joy sometimes seems like a rare treasure. Do you know the feeling of checking the news in the morning and wanting to return to bed for the day? You're not alone! However, the ability to find joy despite all these challenges distinguishes people who lead a fulfilling life from those who allow themselves to be overwhelmed by circumstances. Optimism and a zest for life are the key.

1) FROM JAMMER CULTURE TO SOLUTION-ORIENTATION: HOW TO SHIFT THE SWITCH

Do you recognise this? A meeting with friends turns into an hour of complaining faster than you can say. "World problems" include stressful work, the weather, which is typically miserable (typically German!), and politics. Before we know it, we've spent an hour of our precious lifetime moaning about things we can hardly influence.

What if we channelled this energy in constructive directions instead? Instead of asking, "Why is this happening to me of all people?" (Spoiler: the universe doesn't have a personal vendetta against you), we could ask ourselves, "What are my next steps? How can I protect myself and move forward?"

This (also Buddhist) way of thinking has helped me in several situations. Admittedly, it is not always easy, but it is definitely transformative. It gives us back control and transforms us from passive victims of circumstances to active creators of our lives.

Practical tip: I recently took part in an online seminar called "Complaining Fasting." The concept is finding something positive even in difficult situations and—as the name suggests—consciously reducing complaining.

I've tried it out in everyday life: Instead of getting upset when someone comes towards me with an unspeakable "coffee to go" (brown brew from a plastic cup with a straw—my personal environmental trigger), I simply look away and save myself the agitation. It sounds banal, but it works surprisingly well.

Question: When was the last time you consciously refrained from getting upset? And how did it feel?

Ultimately, too many negative thoughts also demonstrably negatively affect our immune system. So it's a double win if we complain less!

2) THE ART OF ACCEPTANCE: HOW TO LET GO OF WHAT YOU CAN'T CHANGE

"This world is constantly changing. Growth and decay are its true nature. Things appear and dissolve again. Happy is he who contemplates it peacefully." - Buddha.

An essential key to joy lies in acceptance. This does not mean that we should put up with everything - no one expects you to accept injustice. Instead, it is about not wasting energy in pointless resistance to unchangeable realities.

We cannot single-handedly change the current geopolitical situation, but we should not let it consume us too much. Acceptance means recognising: "Yes, this is how it is now." From this point, we can decide what comes next. This attitude frees us from bitterness about things we can't change. It redirects our focus to areas where we can actually make a difference.

"Everything is transient and has no eternal core. Therefore, nothing can make you happy forever." - Buddha.
Understanding this is not depressing but liberating because it also means nothing makes you unhappy forever!

3) DETOXIFY YOUR LIFE: HOW TO REDUCE EMOTIONAL AND DIGITAL POLLUTION

Our life is like a garden - what we plant and nurture will grow. That's why it's crucial to keep all kinds of "pollution" out:

Toxic relationships: People who constantly pull us down, criticise us, or rob us of energy, poison our emotional space. Sometimes self-care means setting boundaries or even detaching from certain relationships. I've been practising this for years, and it's perfect for me. Not every person in our lives deserves a permanent ticket.

Negative thought patterns: Our inner dialogue shapes our reality. Pay attention to how you talk to yourself. Is this how you would speak to a good friend? I have banned the word "hate" from my vocabulary - I have used it too excessively in the past, even for small things. "I don't like..." sounds much more pleasant.

Unhealthy consumption habits: What we eat, drink, read, and watch not only feeds our bodies, but also our minds. Of course, I occasionally treat myself to a sinfully delicious slice of cream cake, but consuming unhealthy foods, endless social media scrolling, or constant negative news can impair our enjoyment of life.

Electronic detox: I set limits for using my smartphone and keep it away from my body. I can only smile at the people on their mobile phones while working out, even in the gym. My bedroom is used exclusively for sleeping (well, almost...). Mobile phones and TVs have no place there.

4) CULTIVATING SMALL JOYS: HOW TO INCLUDE MOMENTS OF HAPPINESS IN YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE

Joy doesn't always have to come from big, life-changing events. It's often the small, everyday moments that add colour to our lives:

- The first coffee in the morning (properly prepared coffee, not the brown brew from the plastic cup!)
- The rustling of the leaves on an autumn walk
- The feeling of the sun on your skin (in moderation...) after a long winter
- Just dancing wildly to your favourite music when no one is watching (or when everyone is watching!)

What are your little joys in life? Could you take a moment to think about them?

When we consciously recognise and appreciate these small joys, we create a reservoir of positive experiences we can draw on in more difficult times.

5) DAILY THANKFULNESS EXERCISES: HOW 5 MINUTES CAN CHANGE YOUR WHOLE LIFE

Gratitude is one of the most powerful practices for cultivating joy. Numerous studies show that people who regularly practise mindfulness and gratitude are happier, more content, and more resilient to stress. The immune system is strengthened.

A simple exercise for beginners: write down three things you are grateful for that day every evening. They don't have to be big or significant - sometimes it's the pleasant chat with the lovely barista, the blossoms rising in spring, or the fact that you managed one or two more machines than usual in the gym.

One of my daily mindfulness exercises is a short meditation in the evening. It's not easy to switch off completely all the time - I haven't suddenly mutated into a Zen master either. However, deep breaths are essential:

1. Breathe in through the nose
2. Hold your breath briefly
3. Exhale through the mouth and visualise how the used air escapes from the body

These simple breathing exercises improve oxygen supply, increase brain function, and promote inner balance. Of course, combining them with yoga is even better, as you are also improving your flexibility and balance.

CONCLUSION: YOUR DAILY CHOICE TO ENJOY LIFE

Ultimately, joy is a choice we can make every day. Of course, we won't always be happy, and that's perfectly fine. Sadness, anger, and disappointment are all part of the human experience.

But we can choose not to dwell on negative emotions. We can choose how we respond to challenges, who we spend time with, and where we focus our attention.

Mastering the art of joy does not mean living a perfect life without problems. It means developing the ability to find bright spots even amid difficulties and to take the next step towards a better future.

This is a very interesting article about joy of life and health.

What appealed to you most in this article? What is your next step on the path to more joy? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or tag me on Instagram with #khllifestyle  - I look forward to hearing your ideas!

All photos in this post were taken on various trips in recent years. ©KHLLIFESTYLE

If you want to do something (more) for your fitness now, check out this interview with lots of tips. Have fun!