How to Feel Happier...NOW!

Happy CAMPER, get it? Photo: Source Unknown

I'd love to lie and say that I'm always optimistic and sporting that sunny-side-up personality...but then you'd know I'm a liar. Because, duh, everyone gets down in the dumps. Depressed. Blue.

Like just a few minutes ago, I was mad at a friend for no reason at all. My shoulders hurt from being on the computer all morning. I couldn't find my iPod cord. Then, I decided to change my attitude.

It's a trick I picked up a few years back when I was really uphappy at my old job. I became determined to not let the feelings of fatigue, stress and dissatisfaction control my life. It's surprisingly easy, and if you follow a few simple steps, you can turn your frown upside down (or at least start feeling a little better):


1. Force a smile: Gotta credit good ol' Darwin for figuring this one out. Fake a smile and hold it for ten seconds. If that's too hard, bite down on a pen (the move uses the same muscles as smiling does). The muscle memory actually tricks your body into thinking you're happy! So fake it till you make it.

2. Think of three things that make you happy: My mom told me this idea the other day after watching a "happiness expert" on TV. When you wake up, the first thing you should do is think of three things that make you happy, and it'll set the mood for the whole day. Right now, I thought about my dog, getting to see some old friends this weekend, and one of my favorite quotes.

3. Get outside: Ok, you knew this one was coming. It's been proven over and over (read here) that spending just 15 minutes per day outdoors can significantly improve your mood and refresh your spirit. Vitamin D is a natural pep-talk!

4. Skip alcohol for yoga: If I could only tell you how many times I've cried beer tears. I stopped drinking for the most part after college (you definitely don't have to do that to be happy), and realized I was more fun on exercise than I was on alcohol. Serotonin is a feel-good neurotransmitter you can pump into your body in huge doses by exercising! So take one night during the weekend and workout hard before you go out, then opt for a Shirley Temple instead of a gin and tonic. I bet you'll still be able to dance all night and be the life of the party, sans hangover.

5. Be "In the Now": Stop right now. Take a deep breath. Focus completely on how you feel in this very moment. When you breathe in, pretend your sucking in all the bad things you've been feeling. When you exhale, picture them all leaving your body and mind and disappearing. Sounds a little crunchy-granola, but it totally works!

7. Drink a glass of water: My nutritionist friend once told me that an easy fix for feeling tired or grumpy is to drink a cool glass of water. Most of us are walking around dehydrated on a daily basis, and dehydration carries over from day to day. Miss your eight glasses on Monday and you won't be hydrated on Tuesday! Sip some water and reevaluate how you feel.

8. Change your attitude: I know I probably sound like your mom right now, but make a personal decision to be happier. You can dwell in your misery and waste the whole day. You can hold a grudge until a friend apologizes. But you'll save yourself time and energy by forgiving, forgetting and moving on. So say it in your head: "From this minute on, I'm going to have a great day."

Did any of these tips work? Tell me what you do to feel better @dirtbagdarling!