There are many ways to happy, if we only chose to see the opportunity. I like to call these: small acts of happiness.
I use to ignore my thoughts or ideas of small things I could do that would make me happy. I’m not sure why, maybe it’s because I felt dumb or selfish, maybe I didn’t think I had time, or just thought I didn’t deserve it. Whatever it may be, I’ve stopped thinking that way, and you should to!
Life is meant to be enjoyed and usually the enjoyment comes in the little things. If you aren’t taking time for the little things, then what’s the point?
Some of my little things include:
- hanging out at Sam’s Club. I don’t know why, but I love that store. It’s probably because I can eat and shop in one stop. My kids even love it.
- organizing. I love to organize. LOVE IT! It brings me great joy to organize my movies, drawers, craft supplies, or clothes. There’s just something about it.
- Make Lists. I love making lists.
Start keeping track of things you do that make you happy and constantly be adding to it. Hang it up or keep it somewhere you can refer to often. When you’re having a down day, or need some happiness in your life, do something on the list. Especially if you don’t feel like doing it.
Most of the time when we’re feeling down, we can’t get the motivation to do anything. But try to force yourself to do, and you will be surprised how much better you feel.
Related Posts:
What You Really Need to Be Happy
10 Things to Avoid When You’re Feeling Depressed
7 Ways to Take Control of Your Life Today
Anxiety Affirmations
27 Ways to be Happy
Smile – It’s been proven that “Each time you smile, you throw a little feel-good party in your brain. The act of smiling activates neural messaging that benefits your health and happiness.” (Source).
Clean out your closet – Declutter. There is a lot of relief and feeling of clarity when we declutter our lives physical. It’s also shown to relieve stress.
Organize your important papers, your Tupperware cabinet, or your movies.
Go on a walk – Be in nature. It is shown that the more we stop and take a breath, be in nature, and give up our busy work for a time, the better our brains are to think, relax, and feel less stressed. (Source).
Take a bubble bath
Eat a treat (with restriction of course, don’t let your happiness rely on food)
Journal a happy memory
Day dream – Think about something you’d like to do one day. The more visual we are about our goals and dreams, the greater chance they are to happen.
Make a vision board – Cut out pictures from a magazine and glue them to a board to make a collage of all the things you want out of life. Hang it up in your room and look at it everyday.
Let Go – Let go of something that bogs you down.
Start a new hobby – Start something you’d always wanted to do.
End a bad habit – Decide to stop biting your nails, complaining, or going to bed late.
Laugh – Laughter really is the best medicine. Here are some videos to check out which always seem to brighten my day: Video 1, Video 2, Video 3
Exercise– Work up a sweat. Take long, fast walk. Do some push ups and sit ups in your room. Exercise release happy endorphins…(“and happy people just don’t shoot their husbands”…name that movie?)
Meditate – Take time to relax and clear your mind.
“Sitting every day, for at least 15-30 minutes, makes a huge difference in how you approach life, how personally you take things and how you interact with others. It enhances compassion, allows you to see things more clearly (including yourself) and creates a sense of calm and centeredness that is indescribable” (Source).
Take a Nap – But make sure it’s not a looonnnggg nap, or your might feel worse.
Do a Service – Serve someone else. Getting lost in other people’s problems takes the focus off of your own, and gives you perspective.
Tell someone how much you love them and why
Get out of the house – Get out and do something fun. Spontaneous even. Don’t just stay in all day. Possible even something you’ve always wanted to do.
Read an uplifting book – Some of my favs: The Energy Bus, Keeping Kyrie, Magnolia Story, What I Know for Sure
Watch an uplifting movie – Some of my favs: I can only Imagine, The Greatest Showman, The Pursuit of Happyness
Stretching – Or even Yoga. Stretching is soo good for your muscles, provides flexibility, and increases blood flow. 
Spend time with friends and family – Sometimes the last thing I want to do when I’m feeling down or discouraged is be around family, but when I do get myself to do it, I feel so much better. Just force yourself.
Plan a vacation – Unless you hate planning, then maybe not. :). Plan your dream vacation.
Call an old friend
Pamper yourself – Go get your hair did, pedi, mani, or massage. Takes some time fo yo self!
Pray – Even when you don’t feel like it.
You have to be aware of your self-care, and what you need. It’s not selfish or bad to take care of yourself. Don’t be afraid to take time for yourself and don’t underestimate the power of small acts of happiness. Sometimes it’s the smallest things that put us in a good mood. Be an advocate for yourself, if you know there are things that make you happy, do it!
The more we involve the little things in our lives the better our lives become and the more our brains associate activities with happiness then the happier we become overall.
