Happiness Hacks

Freshly picked vegetables taste far superior to and have greater nutritional value than their shipped-and-warehoused counterparts. Why not make your body healthier and yourself happier by growing your own vegetables? Plant a small garden and include companion plantings—plants that repel specific pests next to plants that would otherwise attract those pests—to naturally minimize the pest population. You don’t need much space for a small garden, but if space is a major consideration, you can grow your veggies in pots and planters on the patio instead of in a garden bed. As an added healthy bonus, you will also be certain your veggies haven’t been treated with chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

When you feel like life has become a treadmill and you just need to step off, treat yourself to a day at the spa. Get a manicure, a pedicure, or a skin rejuvenation facial. If you’d like to try something a tad more radical, get a colon cleansing, take a mud bath, or slip into a sensory-deprivation tank. For a healthy state of mind and body, try some treatments at an upscale med-spa center that integrates innovative, cutting-edge therapies and holistic wellness modalities with the ancient healing practices of other cultures.

After a long day at work, are you tense? Are you tossing and turning while trying to go to sleep every night? If you release your stress before you go to bed, you may find you are able to fall asleep more quickly, have a better quality of sleep, and wake up more rested and refreshed. There are lots of ways to calm your mind and let go of the tension you hold in your body, including taking a warm bath, sipping a glass of wine, listening to peaceful music, doing some deep breathing, or praying to re- lease your concerns to a higher power. Rather than living a stressed-out life, make a point to let go of the tension you’ve accumulated throughout the day so that you get deep, restorative sleep. 

When most people think “make a budget,” they don’t relate budgeting with being happy. But if you are living in debt (which is not very happy), then making a budget is your ticket onto the happy train. When you know where you are going, you can control how you get there! Start by writing down exactly how much money you have coming in each month and the sources of your income streams. List all your bills, starting with those that carry late payment fees or debts that come with high inter- est rates. Make another list of your monthly needs. Brainstorm low-cost ways to meet your financial obligations and needs: making your lunch instead of buying it, taking a thermos of coffee to work with you and forgoing your usual cup at the local coffee house, carpooling instead of driving solo. Write the due dates of all bills on your calendar. Live frugally, but feel empowered as little by little you watch your debt begin to shrink and your savings begin to grow. 

Come to the aid of someone struggling with her luggage. Maybe she’s trying to get onto the tram that goes to the airport and you are going her way, or perhaps your traveling buddy is headed back from the local flea market and his rented bike is overloaded with bags. You could take one and lighten his load. Or maybe you see a senior crossing the street after buying her groceries and she’s struggling with her bags. Don’t wait for someone else to rush over and help her—do so yourself. And put a smile on your face. Everyone needs a helping hand sometimes! 

If someone in your office often scowls, chronically complains, or flies into fits with little or no provocation, offer him a plate of warm cookies. Even if your cookies are refused, you can be assured that you at least tried to bring a little pleasure into that person’s life. This gesture may work . . . or it may not. Some people get so used to being unhappy and feeling like the whole world is against them that they are out- side of their comfort zone when someone does do something unexpected and nice for them. The truth is that the grouch is probably hungry for friendship and attention. 

Can you go through an entire day telling the truth and only the truth? Telling the truth, like thinking positive thoughts, is a skill that requires lots of practice. People tell little white lies, half-truths, or useful falsehoods for all kinds of reasons: to evade blame, deceive, deny reality, or feel better about themselves. In some in- stances, a little white lie might be motivated by a desire to prevent someone from being hurt. For example, you know that a coworker is about to be fired, but when he asks you if you’ve heard anything about his possible termination, you tell him no. It takes more effort to think about how to answer him truthfully and still not hurt his feelings than to just lie. But if you live and work from a place of truth, others will trust your word and will appreciate your honesty. 

A member of your work team helped you meet a deadline, someone stood in for you in a meeting, your partner took on part of your housework, your parent baked you your favorite meal . . . Whatever the kindness was, take the time to write that person a thank-you note. And don’t send the thank-you note by email! A hand- written thank-you note is a much more personal expression of appreciation. When you let people know that you view them and their contributions as important and meaningful by taking the time to write a thoughtful note, most likely you’ll be re- warded with loyalty and assistance the next time you need help. 

Start your day with a little salsa, mambo, cha-cha-cha, or your favorite dance steps as you make your way over to measure the coffee, add the water, and turn on the pot. Dance until the coffee is ready. Have a cup and then dance some more! Start your fancy footwork in your kitchen and jig throughout your house. If you have to leave for work, dance your way to your dressing room and keep moving while you do your makeup. Dance over to pick up your purse, briefcase, and car keys . . . and then dance right into the garage. Keep moving and feel your smiles emerge and pounds melt away. 

One of the easiest ways to start a collection is by acquiring something that attracts you, perhaps because of its historical significance, beauty, or value. Whether it’s amber jewelry, classic toys from your childhood, salt and pepper sets from the turn of the century, old comic books, or whatever else that captures your fancy, use that piece to start a collection. Set a budget for your collection and make space in your home for it. Expand what you know about your collectibles and network with others who buy and sell those items. And then spend many happy hours searching for items to add to your collection!