So last month we talked about how new experiences can make you feel fulfilled. This month we are focusing on your mood and overall feelings of well being.
Studies have found that new experiences are linked to enhanced happiness and in turn, are associated with increased brain activity. Novel stimuli tend to activate regions of our brain that are associated with rewards. They also capture our attention and you’re more likely to notice things and be present.
Have you noticed as you get older how time just seems to fly by? Think back to when you were a kid. Summers were so much fun, they seemed to just go on forever. As an adult not so much. It just flies by so fast you don't even know what happened. There is a reason for this. As a kid, you have a lot of memories of that summer because of all the new things that went on over those few months. As an adult, you don't have many distinguishable memories of the summer. Everything was pretty much a routine. Sure, we still need to go to work and do all the adult things, but what are you adding to the mix to make memories?
We are only in month 2 of talking about why new experiences are beneficial to us, and even if we stopped now, the stuff we learned is so beneficial. But guess what? We have more to come! If you have been a subscriber to our ultimate subscription box from the beginning you have gained the experiences of learning meditation and basic yoga, and also learning how to make beeswax wraps and planning a wildflower garden. These are things you can carry through the month and beyond! Read the blog series on the benefits of new experiences.
I would love to hear an example of how a new experience uplifted your mood!
Simple Joy Box is a curated subscription box designed to help you embrace the art of a slow-living lifestyle one month at a time. We take the guesswork out of finding your new hobby by introducing new creative habits that allow for more self-expression and create more simple pleasures in your day-to-day life. If you are ready to start your slow-living lifestyle, visit our website to learn more about us, and join our email list to stay up to date on our blogs.