Past Newsletters

Can happiness be a habit? When we think of habits we usually think of the bad ones, like watching TV or smoking………… but what is a habit? Isn’t it just something that we do so repetitively we start doing it without thinking? And if this is true then why can’t we develop good habits? I know good habits are not a new thing but are we aware of it and can we make it work for us rather than against us.

I got thinking about this because, without being aware of it at the time, I developed a habit of being happy when I came to work. It all started when I realized as a boss and leader of a team of people in the workplace, how much my mood could effect the rest of the employees, how they performed and how they related to each other. As a result I decided that no matter what sort of morning I started with or how I was feeling that day, I would walk through that door and be happy AND SHOW IT when I got to work!!! The results where amazing, as it not only impacted on the staff for that day, it started to define the culture of the team. It was expected that your were happy and if you weren’t then you needed to do something about it like talk to someone or share with the team your are having a bad day rather than everyone just accepting it and bearing it on your own and brining everyone else down with it.

There were two things I didn’t expect to come from this when I started doing it. One was how much happier I felt by being …….. happier! I was in control most of the time (I accept we are not robots) of how I felt. I was choosing my attitude. The second was because I was doing it every day over the months and years (literally) I was doing it without even thinking about it. When I got out of my car to go through the doors at work and walk through the door I had a compulsion to say hello to everyone and ask them how they were and be energetic and happy, and I felt happy even if I had a crappy morning!! Powerful stuff!!

Then I began to think, if I can do it there, then why not at home or with my friends and with everything I do? And if I can make a habit of being happy so I “program” myself to do it without thinking, why does it have to be just happiness I am in the habit of doing? Why not exercise, walking around the block every day or anything you’ve always wanted to do?

The reason we mostly associate habits with bad things is because usually the bad ones are the one’s that develop without any effort. The good one’s are the one’s that take a bit of work to get started but once you have made that effort the benefits are yours.

Forget the therapists, a smile can cure many ills.

We have long been led to believe that a smile uses less muscles than a frown and so therefore we should smile. However, recent research reveals that smiling in fact engages more muscles and therefore uses more energy. So should we stop smiling to save energy?

Meanwhile, a 2002 study in Sweden found that it is easier to copy somebody else’s facial expressions than to do the opposite – so by encouraging other people to smile by smiling yourself, you are saving them energy!

Even more exciting is the discovery that a returned smile can give us a wonderful injection of endorphins because our system rewards us for community building behaviour.

So, it might take a bit more energy at the beginning but the good feelings and the positive energy generated are more than worth the effort!! 

You’ll soon find that if you smile, even if you don’t feel like it, you will quickly feel better about life and the challenges in front of you. It can help create a happier environment at work or at home.

For some different takes on how smiling can change your day;- Check out BarD&Co's new iKiFit track, Have a nice day and while you’re listening, tune in to Mitch and Kim’s latest iKiTip.

iKiFit Music encourages you to stick to your New You resolution plans

You can use iKiFit music as the perfect work-out track to hit the gym with or if you need to work, Bard&Co's music is excellent inspirational background music. Our music also fits in with the iKiFit program, buy online at the iKiFit Shop today or find us at iTunes.

Would you like to own the CDs. The new release Yellow Album has the original 6 iKi Yellow tracks PLUS 6 all new tracks. Order your CD here:

EXCLUSIVE OFFER: FIRST 100 COPIES SOLD SIGNED BY THE BAND! Order your CD NOW!

Need another reason to smile?

Energise yourself with these iKiFit exercises and start your day happy, healthy and strong

Learn the iKi moves online now. Not already a member of iKiFit? Join for FREE now it takes just two minutes!

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New Years is over but you can still make a resolution - a ‘New You’ resolution!

Now the new year is in full swing, how about making a ‘New You’ resolution? At the start of a new year, we usually take the time to think about the things we want to change in our lives. We often make a pledge that we’re going to lose weight, quit smoking or write that novel. A ‘New You’ resolution is about making resolutions that will change the way you live your life! 

To make lasting change is about making a plan and changing your attitude. Check out the iKi Challenge to give you the direction you need to plan your ‘New You’ resolution today. Download the iKi Challenge here

Want to start something new? Get Mitch and Kim’s tips for starting something new

 
“Music engages us in the present, and inspires our hopes for the future.”

Music is a key element of the iKiFit program. The iKiFit music, written and produced exclusively by dynamic new band bARd, uses well-researched techniques to inspire and energize listeners. With rhythms that rock and lyrics that help inspire you to live a happy, healthy, strong life, the iKiFit music is just what you have been waiting for to kick off your ‘New You’ resolution. Hear a sample of feature track EVERY SINGLE DAY here. 

Keep energised and make a resolution to listen to iKiFit Music everyday

Use iKiFit music as the perfect work-out track to hit the gym with or if you are at work, iKiFit music is excellent inspirational background music for you and your team. Our music also fits in with the iKiFit program, buy online at iKiFit today.  

Do you iKi? Learn the iKi moves online now. Not already a member of iKiFit? Join for FREE now (Join now  it takes just two minutes!