“Every single relationship, business and educational outcome improves when the brain is positive first. If you cultivate happiness while in the midst of your struggles, work, at school, while unemployed or single, you increase your chances of attaining all the goals you are pursuing, including happiness.” – Shawn Achor
When it rains, it pours! Especially in Chattanooga this year. It seems we have had more flooding and tornado watches this year than I remember in quite a while. As we have been sequestering ourselves to our own sections of the community, Jennifer and I have been pleasantly surprised with how our neighborhood, friends and the community at large have banded together to help make this difficult time more uplifting. Many are giving back by donating food, sending positive messages or just forwarding a funny video. We have been spending more time walking the dog, working in the yard and riding bikes lately and seeing a lot of others doing the same. With everyone home, we have seen more of our neighbors than we have in years. We have also had more chances to spend more family time with the kids playing games and watching movies at home.
In reflecting over what has happened over the last month or so, I thought it would be great to see what we can do to help ourselves. Below is a Happiness Recipe from Shawn Achor’s Book “The Happiness Advantage”, some easy ways to help boost your immune system and some words of wisdoms from Investing “Legends”.
What is there to be Happy About?
So how can we pursue happiness right now? Empirically, we know success does not lead to happiness. Is everyone with a job happy? Is every rich person happy?
Then, step one is to stop thinking that finding a job, getting a promotion, etc. is the only thing that can brings happiness. Success does not mean happiness. Check out any celebrity magazine to look for examples to disabuse you of thinking that being beautiful, successful or rich will make you happy.
Second, realize that happiness is a work ethic. Happiness is not a mystery. You have to train your brain to be positive just like you work out your body. We not only need to work happy, we need to work at being happy.”
To see Mr. Achor’s TED talk, click here.
How Should We Stay Healthy?
(12 Ways to Boost Your Immune System)
Take Probiotics Daily
You can either take a supplement or add foods like yogurt to your routine.
Try Elderberry Syrup
If you’re really ambitious, make your own! Otherwise, you can find it in most health food stores.
Eat a Balanced Diet
What you eat really does make a difference in how you feel. It can also help you fight illness if you get sick.
Be Nice to Your Liver
Your liver does so much for you, so take care of it, especially during the cold and flu months.
Drink Lots of Water
Your body just functions better with water. Fill a big jug in the morning and drink it all.
Keep Hand Sanitizer Nearby
Clean hands can reduce colds by more than 20% and other viruses by more than 50%.
Get Some Sunshine
Vitamin D will not only make you happier, but it’s good for your immune system, too.
Make Exercise a Priority
Your body will be able to fight sickness a lot better if it’s strong and healthy.
Look Into Essential Oils
This is a natural way to boost your immune system. There are so many options to try.
Drink More Green Tea
Here’s another easy and natural method to try for boosting your immune system.
Get Good Sleep
You don’t need a reason to get a good night’s sleep, but now you have one. It helps keep you healthy!
Reduce Your Stress Load
Give yourself a break from time to time so you’ll be ready to fight sickness when it hits.
It’s fascinating to watch a seed grow. The storms that the seed weathers fade without memory when we see the bright color and smell the sweet fragrance. All from a tiny little seed. Hope makes us plant the seed, faith draws us to water soil – waiting with anticipation for the bloom. The storm will pass, and by design, growth follows.
We are thinking of you and are always here. We are available via phone, email, or video-conference calls.
Timeless Words of Wisdom from Investing Legends:
The secret of making money in stocks is not to get scared out of them. – Peter Lynch
There are two times when people forget their principles: at the top of the market and at the bottom. – Phillip A. Lowe
Face up to two unpleasant facts: the future is never clear and you pay a very high price in the stock market for a cherry consensus. Uncertainty is the friend of the buyer of long-term values. – Warren Buffett
To buy when others are despondently selling and to sell when others are euphorically buying takes the greatest courage, but provides the greatest profit. – John Templeton
The single greatest edge an investor can have is a long term orientation. – Seth Klarman
Far more money has been lost by investors trying to anticipate corrections, than lost in the corrections themselves. – Peter Lynch
We simply attempt to be fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when others are fearful. – Warren Buffett
Great investors are not unemotional, but are inversely emotional – they get worried when the market is up and feel good when everyone is worried. – Bill Miller
Never bet on the end of the world. It only happens once. – Art Cashin
“It’s the lens through which your brain views the world that shapes your reality. And if we can change the lens, not only can we change your happiness, we can change every single educational and business outcome at the same time.” – Shawn Achor, The Happiness Advantage
Joe D. Franklin, CFP is Founder and President of Franklin Wealth Management, and CEO of Innovative Advisory Partners, a registered investment advisory firm in Hixson, Tennessee. A 20+year industry veteran, he contributes guest articles for Money Magazine and authors the Franklin Backstage Pass blog. Joe has also been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger’s Magazine, USA Today and other publications.
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