6 Surprising Ways to Boost Your Happiness

Image Source: http://pilitics.blog.com

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