Happiness Hacks

This may sound simplistic, but if you want to be happy, then decide to be happy. One way to help with this is to think happy thoughts. (That’s right, just like Peter Pan told Wendy!) When you choose positive thoughts over negative ones, you are more likely to develop an optimistic outlook on life. Positive people generally have higher levels of optimism and life satisfaction, plus they live longer. And here’s some good news—even if you aren’t normally a happy person, thinking happy thoughts is a skill you can learn. Work on being an optimist: choose to think positive thoughts and see the proverbial glass as half full rather than half empty. The next time you’re driving and someone cuts you off, for example, resist the urge to respond with anger, which can clamp down your blood vessels and increase your blood pressure. Instead, stay positive and let your anger go. Keep that positive vibe going no matter what you’re doing. The more frequently you choose to be happy, the happier you will be. 

Put a picture of yourself from a happy time in your life on your desk. Gaze at an image of yourself looking fabulous. Find a photo of yourself taken when you felt most alive, then frame it and put it where you can easily see it. Looking at positive images of yourself can push aside a mountain of negative thoughts, boost your self-esteem, and make you feel good. What if none of your photos are that great? No problem. Use digital image tools to rework a scanned photo or digital image: erase some of those wrinkles, add some hair, shift some curves, and turn back the clock. Have fun creating a fabulous-looking new you! Then look at the photo when- ever you need a little dose of happiness and let it spark some good vibes. 

This one may seem like a holy grail for carb lovers, but it’s true: carbohydrates actually stimulate mood-boosting chemicals in the brain. Carbs promote the production of serotonin, the feel-good brain chemical. Low-carb diets, on the other hand, have been known to cause high levels of anger, tension, and distress. A study that followed people on a low-carbohydrate diet for one year found that those people experienced more depression and anxiety than those on higher- carbohydrate diets. In addition, most whole grains contain fiber, which is good for the heart and the digestive system. So, when that afternoon slump hits, try some healthy, whole-grain/wholefood carbs to get yourself feeling better. 

Feeling playful and sexy? Slip a little note under your partner’s glass and invite him to join you for some fun. Tease, tantalize, and titillate. Let that strap of your little black dress slide off your shoulder. Lean forward and engage your partner’s attention. Be seductive. Help your partner believe that in that moment, he is the only person in the world for you. Hold his hand. Let your mutual arousal build and set the pace for everything else. You’ll be surprised how happy being sexy makes you feel about yourself and how good it can make your partner feel. 

How do you feel at the end of a typical workday? Are you drained, totally stressed out, or in a bad mood? If so, then you need to get some work happy going on! The best way to do that is to schedule some relaxation time during your workday. We’re not talking about taking a two-hour lunch to run to the spa—instead, just find a few moments throughout your day to destress and relax. Take a quick cat nap or a half-hour power nap over lunch, step outside for some fresh air and sunlight, go for a brisk walk, do some deep breathing at your desk . . . all of these are beneficial for banishing stress and helping you refocus. Even if all you can do is sit somewhere for five minutes and close your eyes, you’ll be amazed at how much more relaxed and happy you’ll feel about your day. 

Sadly, not all dogs and cats brought into this world are guaranteed a happy or a long life—just because someone owns an animal does not mean they will properly care for it. Animal shelters all over America often have more animals than they can properly care for, meaning that some animals’ lives will end in those shelters. You can make a difference by choosing to adopt a pet from a shelter. Pets bring fun and happiness into your life and have been shown to reduce stress in their owners’ lives. So go rescue a friend and make both of your lives better!

Nothing says happiness like a burrito! Serve beer, beans, and burritos for a Cinco de Mayo party and get into the spirit of Cinco de Mayo, the day that marks the triumph of the Mexican militia over the French army in the 1862 Battle of Puebla. Throw some colorful woven Mexican blankets on the table and set out some green cacti, red chili peppers, and miniature sombreros. Make a centerpiece out of a grouping of candles in terracotta pots. Whip up some traditional Mexican foods to go along with your beans and burritos and then serve everything with margaritas and ice-cold Coronas. Invite your neighbors and friends over to eat, drink, and celebrate!

If you are looking to truly make a difference in someone else’s life and get a big boatload of happy feelings in return, consider volunteering at a children’s hospital or on a hospital’s pediatric, neonatal, or nursery wing. You will be making a positive contribution to the lives of sick children and their families, and that’s a contribution that can bring meaning to your life too. You’ll enjoy knowing that you are helping others—seeing a child smile and knowing that you are responsible for making that smile happen is one of the biggest happiness boosts you can find. Hardworking volunteers are always needed and appreciated by hospital staff, the patients, and their families. When you give friendship and compassion to others in their time of need, happiness flows back to you in abundance.