Happiness is an odd emotion. As kids, we experience it quite a lot. But as the years go on, sometimes happiness is harder to find. It may be because of our financial situations, or our jobs, or family members who fail to accept us for who we really are. Life is hard, but happiness keeps us going.
That's why it's important to find surefire ways to be happy, even if it's just for brief moments at a time. It's important to remind ourselves that we are worthy. And we are — each and every one of us.
Trying to rebound after 2020 is going to be especially difficult, especially since the world didn't change the second the ball dropped in Times Square. We'll still need to survive a few hardships before ever hoping to regain any kind of "normalcy." And that, in itself, may cause your happiness to dip. That's why it's important to master a few surefire ways to smile.
1. Go for a Walk With Headphones On
Pick a day that's sunny and bright, and make sure you're highly visible. Then take a stroll. Find a soundtrack that soothes you — filled with either nostalgic hits that bring a smile to your face or calming music you can play in the background. Don't worry about setting a pace or getting a certain amount of steps in. Instead, take time to yourself.
Spend your walk looking at nature, whether it's a couple of trees lining your street or a wooded area near your backyard. This walk will allow you to clear your mind and get moving. It'll take you away from the stress you've felt before. It's a temporary relief — and a good way to find happiness.
2. Look Through Old Facebook Memories
OK, so maybe you were the kind of person who used to post angsty lyrics back in 2009. But surely there are some great uplifting photos you shared around that time, as well. Looking back at old photos can be therapeutic. They're a great reminder of the positive influence you've had on others. It's also scientifically proven to create a difference. "Any change good or bad is very stressful," says Krystine Batcho, PhD, professor of psychology at Le Moyne College in New York, per HuffPost. "So what nostalgia enables you to do both emotionally and cognitively is keep track of what has remained stable, giving you some sense of continuity that grounds you."
3. Write a Letter to Your Grandmother or Grandfather — or an Old Friend
Keeping in contact with people you love is important. The act of writing itself is also very important. If you're the type of person who hasn't written anything down on paper since college, you might want to try buying some notecards and good pens. Writing is very therapeutic. Pair that with the warm memories you have of your recipient, and it's bound to be an activity that puts a smile on your face. Getting real mail will make their day, too.
4. Watch Your Favorite Funny Movie or YouTube Clip
Want to smile? Put on your all-time favorite funny movie. Not only will it help you get out of a rut, but it may remind you of old friendships and inside jokes. Even if the movie isn't all that great according to Rotten Tomatoes, anything that makes you laugh hard is always a winner. Don't use this as an excuse to show the movie to your kids or those who haven't seen it before, since then you'll worry too much about what they think of it. This screening should be just you, or you and others who also adore it.
5. Stretch
Stretching is a great way to warm up our bodies and start the day positively. Stretching is a quick way to relieve tension and fatigue. It's also a healthy, free way to focus on yourself. Pay attention to your body as you stretch, and take time to really feel each stretch as it happens. As a bonus, you'll also improve your flexibility.
6. Try Meditation
The internet is a great place to find guided meditations. But even shutting off the lights and focusing on your breathing can bring some happiness. Per Elite Daily, meditation can help you reset your happiness set point. That means that it's very possible to rewire your brain and become happier in general. "If, according to the happiness set point theory, you're naturally more predisposed to being overly worried or stressed out, meditating on the reg can quiet those overactive areas of your brain, and thicken the areas responsible for joy and pleasure," the site writes.
7. Turn Off Social Media During the Day
It may be hard, especially if you use it for socialization. But taking a step back can help you become happier, especially if you often use it to compare your life to others. It's not a healthy habit to get into. Live each moment for yourself. Try not to post anything significant for a bit. Keep those special moments to yourself for now. It's nice getting true satisfaction out of your family and activities, instead of seeing how many likes they can get.
8. Clean Up Your Workspace
Taking a little bit of time every day to clean up your workspace will help you focus. And it'll keep you happy. Clutter can negatively impact your mental health, so it always makes sense to quickly pick up any lingering piles that happen to form where you work. Whether it's at home or in an office, it's important. And it's also backed by science. A study reports that every hour of cleaning you do per week will boost overall happiness by 53%, which is huge.
9. Read a Chapter of a Good Book Daily
Books are a great way to escape. And if you happen to choose a tangible hardcover book, it's one less screen you'll have to look at (although Kindles and similar devices can be pretty incredible). "Reading has been shown to put our brains into a pleasurable trance-like state, similar to meditation, and it brings the same health benefits of deep relaxation and inner calm," writes The New Yorker. "Regular readers sleep better, have lower stress levels, higher self-esteem, and lower rates of depression than non-readers." Sounds like a win-win all around.
