If you’re not a happy-go-lucky person, you may have to work a little harder. We aren’t all programmed to be little miss (or mister) sunshine. Maybe we’ve got a little Ebenezer Scrooge in us. Not everybody is a glass half full person. Some people have glasses that are half empty and some people, like me, have glasses full of Pinot Grigio. So, it’s hard to become that peppy bright person if it isn’t in your making. Whether it’s life that is bringing you down, a recent breakup or the gloomy weather, it’s hard to get out of a bad mood once it’s taken hold of you. The good news is that you can work at becoming happier. All good things take time and effort. There isn’t a magic pill that will bring happiness into your life. Or actually, if you go to your local psychiatrist, there might be, but not all of us want to go in that direction. Fortunately, happiness can come from making little tweaks in your life and it's little small actions you can do daily that can go a long way. So, why not try out these little changes that could change you from a negative and cheerful in no time.
Eat Chocolate
A piece of chocolate a day keeps the blues away. That’s the saying, right? Chocolate is delicious and makes people happy, so why not indulge in a little bit once a day? Is it just me or does a Snickers bar sure know how to turn a frown upside down?
Godiva Chocolatier Dark Chocolate Lover's Tasting Set, $14.99, Amazon
Count Your Blessings
It’s easy to get caught up in the negative. “I didn’t get that job I wanted.” “I’m never going to meet a man.” Or my personal favorite, “I’m so broke.” However, you can focus on the negative until you’re blue in the face. And I hear having a blue face is so not in this year. So, instead of examining all the things that are going wrong in your life, why not think about all the things are going right. Count your blessings because we all have something to be thankful for.
The Gratitude Habit Journal and Workbook, $9.86, Amazon
Start Your Day Off Right
The fastest way to grump-town is waking up on the wrong side of the bed. It’s easier to keep a good mood if you can start out your day on the right foot. That means making your mornings happy. Play songs that will kickstart your day. Or go running outside and get your endorphins going. Splurge on that girl scout cookie thin mint coffee creamer if you must! Whatever will put you in a good mood is worth trying.
Coffee-mate Caramel Macchiatto Powder Coffee Creamer, $3.98, Amazon
Positive Thinking
Behold the power of positive thinking. The way you think has a huge effect on your mood and your actions. Often, we aren’t even aware of our inner thoughts. Because of this, we need to realize what kind of thoughts we are having and possible reevaluate the way we view things. We can see a situation in many lights, so why not see with a brighter and jubilant light?
Positive Thinking Every Day, $9.99, Amazon
Accomplish One Thing A Day
Feeling productive can make you feel better. Why do you think Mr. Clean is always smiling? Everyday have one task in mind that you want to accomplish. It doesn’t have to be to climb Mt. Everest. It could be to finish off that bottle of wine. The point is to have something you want to finish that day and feel good about before you go to sleep.
Do Something Nice
Sometimes the way to feel nice is to be nice. Doing something kind for another person will not only make that person happy, but it will also make you feel better about yourself. Being nice, whether that is smiling and saying “hi” to a stranger or opening the door for your neighbor — these kinds acts go a long way.
Eliminate
Sometimes you’ve just got to pretend you’re on a dating show and start eliminating people in your life. Okay, it doesn’t have to be as cutthroat as I made it. But, you should take note of the people you surround yourself with. If your friends give off a “Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants” vibe, then you are a-okay. However, if they are more of a “Mean Girls” type, then you probably want to rethink who you spend time with. Misery likes company, and your company could be making you miserable.
Get Moving
No, I don’t mean move to another state to find happiness. I mean move your body! Exercising is a great way to feel happier. It releases endorphins and has you feeling like you can conquer anything. Running to a great playlist is therapy for some, and much cheaper than a therapist.
