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Nobody really cares if you’re miserable, so you might as well be happy. ~Cynthia Nelms
Fact: We all want to be happy and live Happy Life
We all go through phases where we are happy and when we are sad. Most of the time, we get sad because our expectations did not match the reality of outcomes or somehow something felt short. While, some serious sadness that comes with uncontrollable circumstances, we can do a few simple and easy happiness booster, that will surprise you. Don’t believe me? Try it out for yourself.
Simple Happiness Boosters:
Here are few simple and easy way to change your mood. No, it will not cure your money problems, world peace or cure for cancer. However, still you will feel lot better and happier. I know because I have tried it out first before writing it here, and I am your average person just like you, who gets happy and sad in daily life.
1. Get Sunshine
I grew up part of my life in Seattle, so believe me I like cloudy and rainy weather. It makes me feel like breaking in song and dance routine like Gene Kelly in Singing in the Rain (even when I know I can not dance!).
University of Michigan apparently have done studies that proves that 30 minutes of sunshine and fresh air feel more upbeat to those who decides to be inside in nice weather. So, I shut off my internet and went out in my yard, only to know that California weather in middle of may is cold rightnow. However, fresh air, colorful roses and chirping birds around made me feel better already. I think when weather is sunny (not scorching hot) will give me exposure to Vitamin D as well along with fresh air. This one sure works.
I remember when R was infant, one time he decided to cry and test out his lungs and my hearing by crying out loud. No matter what I did, did not calm him. I decided to go out of blue and little sunshine and light intrigued him and he stopped crying to see what was around him. I used this trick with little P as well. Try it with your baby or yourself, sunshine makes you upbeat!
2. Take Shower or Bath
Now, most normal people take shower in morning before going to work or school. But when I had baby #1, R , I realized that he kept me so busy that I had to take shower in evening or sometimes next day. Since R is now in kindergarten it has gotten better, but in middle when P was born, I had 2 youngsters, so it became hard to take shower without kids knocking on door (even when Zenguy was around, kids simply loved me too much to go in to a shower alone, At least I am going to think that is the reason). So, if you have little kids or are creatively busy, you may forget to take shower like me once in awhile. (Don’t judge me because I am honest!) Even if you had a shower in the morning, still one again on hot days or days when you are simply feeling gloomy.
Just take shower with lukewarm water will refresh you and sometimes your sore muscles! Try it. Now I make effort to take shower twice, specially in summer. In Zenguy’s family (as many other Indian family) usually do not eat anything even breakfast tea until they take shower so it was surely new to him until we had kids and we were too sleep deprived function well without Chai.
3. Bring back Memories : Photo Albums, Old Journals
Many times we are so focused on tomorrow or future, we often forget how far along we came or remember good thing. There are times, I have heard my friend or relative would say “I never did XXXX”..and ” No one likes me…” and so on. If you look back on your own mind memories, or photo albums when you were kid or when you were in high school, you will realize, you had fun, friends and joy around you.
I look at my old journal sometimes to see what was bothering me once, no longer an issue in my current life or reading something fun about my life event such as birth of my kids, my first vacation with Zenguy after marriage and so on. It bring backs nice and happy memories, boosting my confidence and happiness level to next level. You should try it too and let me know how it goes for you.
4. Be around Happy People
Happiness is contagious and so is anger. People around us, effect our moods and our life. Medical imaging technology shows that our brain have certain cells that cause us to imitate those around us. So, be around happy people as much as you can.
Sometimes we may not have these choice as family around us might be sad or depressed so do not leave them to be with happy people. If that is situation for you, you be the change you wish to see, become a happy person. Fake it, if you do enough faking or pretending, soon you will be happy in reality!
Now, this is not something I invented, my favorite author Dale Carnegie have said in my favorite book: How to win friends. I used to be coach’s assistant during Business Team Building classes based on Dale Carnegie principals. I was first skeptical but since then I know pretending to be happy, made me eventual happy.
Zenguy is happiest person I know, he is always making other smile even when he has things to worry. I remember, all my friends and family loves spending time with him because he makes others around him happy and feel good about them. I was opposite, I was grouchy person, with all world’s problem on my shoulders, or so I thought. I have long way to still go but since then I am improving and smiling more, thanks to Zenguy, My kids and wonderful Dale Carnegie.
5. Bring out your Creative Genius from Inside.
I think all of us, creative genius or artist inside us, no matter what you say. Research studies have shown that people with violent past and trauma are told to express their anger and frustrations over creating art pieces and it has helped them heal their psychological wounds. Now, we do not have be traumatized to use creative outlet or be great artist.
Here are a few ways you can let your creative genius out, mostly for your eyes first then you can share it with others when you are ready;
- Paint (oil painting, Water Colors or Charcoal sketch)
- Write short stories : fiction or non-fictional
- Write poems on your feelings
- Visit museum and see other artists
- Make art and craft design with kids or adults
- Do origami art pieces, learn origami
- Read inspiring quotes
- Read motivational authors/books
- Listen to Music, make music with pots and sticks
I do many of these activities and know it works. I do oil painting and sketching for myself. So far, I have given away my art pieces but not sold any. I like creating art, even though it might be best, it makes me control and convey my feelings in positive ways.
6. Eat Healthy Snacks.
This simple booster I learned from my kids. Whenever R was going through “terrible Twos”, I have learned a simple tip to make it in to “terrific twos”, that was to eat something healthy. Many time little kids and sometimes adults are in cranky mood because we might be lacking carbohydrates in our body. We can simply fix this by eating some fresh apple, or any other fruits or little nuts such as walnuts, pistachios on munching.
Many nuts have omega 3 fatty acids which according to some experts have same effect as anti-depressants (that too without any side effects to worry about). It also improves communication with brain cells that creates good mood in us according to Harvard hospital doctors.
I always carry, healthy snacks such as some nut bar, peanuts or fruits (sometimes junk snacks as well) and water bottle with us in my car so kids and I will not go hungry or cranky. Make sure to eat healthy snacks. Soda, candy bars and potato chips will help a little but it will be more unhealthy, eat those only occasionally. We have only one body this life and let’s take care of it.
Conclusion:
Will these tips cure all of our problems and worries? No, it will not as I mentioned before. These tips however, will surely boost our mood to tackle our life worries and enjoy life more with our selves, family, spouse and kids. Even if you are single, or married with kids, we all deserve to live happy life and here are a few ways that I have tried out successfully that I want to share with you all for Free.
Best things in life are free!
Enjoy and please share your simple happiness boosters that has worked with you here.
Zengirl
I love all these tips and so have to agree about the sunshine. As it is sunnier now I find my mood getting brighter too! 🙂
These are good ways to make you happy. I specifically like the “being around happy people” because this can indeed help make you feel better even when you are feeling a bit down.
I think these are simple and easy ways we all can boost happiness. Being sad brings balance sometimes but many people seemed to be more in to sad, hurried or stressed state nowadays. It is good to balance it out with these simple steps.
I like it that you also share your own life’s example with the post, which makes it more personal and real! Thanks for being honest and transparent.
Great ideas for boosting happiness, Preeti.
I particularly like your idea of reading inspiring quotes. I have a number of quotes that are very meaningful to me and I have them up on the wall beside the computer. If I get a bit down or discouraged, I simply look at my wall and find the one that fits best with where I’m at and read it.
Never fails to give me a lift.
Dawn,
I think it is super idea to have a favorite quote next to wall where you can see it, it sure helps. I used to have “don’t quit” poem on my bedroom wall (until the frame broke) and it gave me boost to keep going when things are not going so well. I love moral stories and motivational quotes to cheer me up when I am feeling gloomy even now and it works. I so agree.
Gloria,
Yes, all of us are living fast paced life that does not leave much time to do anything else, slowing down and taking fresh air and sunshine can do wonder without taking up our little precious time that we have left.
Thank you, I like to lead by example so in my post, I try to share little things about me or my family to see where I am coming from. Thanks for stopping by.
Jonathan,
Happy people are sure to make us happy as it is contagious. Do not go around ignoring sad people, specially friends and family as they can use a happy person in their life a bit, don’t you think?
Emma,
Sunshine sure lifts up the mood, that is why many people use light therapy during gloomy winter days to cheer them up, did you knew?
Happiness is over-rated sometimes but I love these simple things that any of us can do daily, regardless how busy we might be.
Taking shower and sun light therapy has always cheered me up. I have bought a small light that supposed to radiated sun ray, and it has lifted my mood, much better than meds I was on before.
Yes! it is indeed true that everyone wants to be happy, not just for the sake of being happy, but also for the sake of getting the most out of us. So what is the harm in being happy and doing all that we can do, with a much better sense of enjoyment.
Hi Preeti,
This is a great article full of great ideas to help us find happiness. I do believe it is a state of mind overall rather than a thing that happens to us. We choose to be happy –
I can tell that you’re a happy person at heart too – like me you’ve chosen happiness!
Preeti: I loved this post and thought the list was so great. I do think what you said is so important and that we need to boost our happiness as much as we can as we move through the day. I am a big fan of sunshine, but had never really thought about looking back on old pictures. That is also a great idea. Thanks for the recommendations.
Hi Preeti,
Sunshine! That’s the biggest booster for me. Coming from a planet with two suns, sunshine is a very important part in our race.
See? I’m combining tips # 1 and # 5 🙂
But you are right; although these tips will not solve our problems, they will help us to be in a better mood to tackle them in a more effective way.
Raul
Happiness from within you, is one of the best attitude we can have. It is the happiness of contentment. Some people get their happiness from other while you can be happy with or without them.
simple, effective and to the point
Great post Preeti 🙂
Hey Zengirl, Some excellent tips here today! 🙂 I feel the sun is a so important. Read a book a long time ago ( don’t remember name, so sorry) that spoke of the different energies we receive from the sun. This was an old book, probably written in the 70’s…Anyway, it went on and on about the science of sunlight. One particular subject i remember the most from this book was Pârn…Pârn, is a name for a kind of “life giving” energy emitted from the sun, it looks like bouncy little glowing globules. They can be seen by the naked eye! Fascinating! What do you think?
Jasmine,
I find many old time books educational and fun to read, if you think of its name, do let me know. I did not about parn, sun energy before. I am going to check it out, thanks for letting me know.
Farouk,
Thanks, just like your comment! 🙂
Dlysen,
You are so right, without contentness, one can be happy. There is a huge connection. The biggest thing I see when I am not happy is when my expectations are high from someone or something.
Raul,
Coming with plant with 2 suns?
I see you have combined #1 and #5, very well. Happiness is perfection and it happy with what we already have. Having in better mood sure makes sense. I have gone living like grouchy before, and it had hurt only me and no one else.
Sibyl,
I think sunshine is sure big booster, I did not know till just a few years ago and it sure bring bit of cheeriness in all of us.
Looking at old pictures and journal reminds us of good old times we had and see how far we had overcome some of the issues since then, and it sure brings things in perspective. Try it and let me know.
Angela,
You are so right, happiness is more of state of mind that affects us how we live right now. We can choose to be happy, in a few rare occasion people will need help and support to feel happy but many of us can find it within ourselves.
I still get sad, and unhappy sometimes, but then I remind myself, I can choose how I live. After all, we are human and learn from our experiences.
Anthony,
Yes, being best we can be, and make most of our life, we can choose to live happy or not. If we are sad, it hurt us more then anyone else, so why not be happy and be the best we can be. Thanks for chiming in. Do you raise chickens?
Karen,
I had heard about light therapy but never used it before. I am glad it worked for you. Yes, many simple and small things in life we do today can make better and positive tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by.
I love your simple and pragmatic tips, Preeti. They are powerful ways of reminding us of our unlimitedness and our sense of wholeness in the universe. One not need to sit on a mountain top to realize the infinite extent of our relationships – there is no need to search the world over – we have everything we need to be happy right now.
Rob,
I am glad you liked these tips, everything we need is within us, only if we truly looked and got aware of it. True wisdom my friend!
Preeti,
Sometimes we all need a little boost. I will try some of these mood lifters the next time I am down in the dumps!
Being around happy people is a great way to boost your mood.
One of the best happiness sayings I’ve heard is “You can become sad all of a sudden, so you must also know how to become happy all of a sudden”.
The advice goes on to say that you should “install” a trigger within yourself to spark that happiness. This could be an immediate thought about a happy memory playing in the snow as a child, or reading aloud your favorite quote. Oh yes, sunshine helps too. If you can’t get real sunshine, then just close your eyes and visualize the sun’s rays falling on you.
Hope that makes sense.
Betsy,
All of us get down sometime and we could all use some boost and inspiration. I hope that works for all of us.
Thanks Kevin!
Paula,
Happiness is contagious and we get happy around happy people. Thanks for commenting.
Alfee,
I like your suggestion of installing happiness trigger inside us, when we are down. There are sure trigger to make us angry and happy, we should enhance happiness triggers and downplay angry or sad one.
I also like imagining sunshine falling all over us, visualizing can do wonder as much as real sunshine. Thank you for sharing your wisdom suggestions.
These are such brilliantly simple suggestions! So easy to do if we will just be aware of opportunities to do them! Sometimes we try to make achieving happiness such a complicated process. I think the simpler the better. You have inspired me to look at this in a totally new way. Thank you!
We could all use happiness booster now and then with inspirational and easy to do steps. One of my best way that I like and use is to get bit of sunshine every time, or simple fresh air does good. I go for walk by near by park and seeing bird, kids playing, and people having picnic helps elevate my mood. Thank you for sharing these great ideas.
Mira,
Thanks for comment. Yes, fresh air and walking in park can do wonder to our mood. I am glad you liked these ideas.
Galen,
Many time simple solutions seems the best, I am glad you liked the post and see new ways to see things. I like your blog too.
Wanting to be happy is one of the human trait and we work so hard to avoid all the discomfort as possible, unless that is part of our own comfort zone area.
I like hanging out fun people, I am not that funny myself but lucky enough to have few friends who are fun and funny to be with. Time spent with them is always high on my mind and feel good when I am down.
I like spending time in Sun, although I have avoided it mostly as I can not stand heat. I am going to give it a try.
Mike,
You are right about we human being like to avoid discomfort and live happy and comfortable life. I am glad you have some friends who are fun to be with, we could all use funny and fun people around us, as they it is contagious.
Hi Zengirl, this inspired me. Thank you.
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