Here are some tips to be happier

The sad fact of our lives is that more than likely, we could all stand to be a little more content and happy. At times there just seems to be so much that brings us down, it is hard to stay upbeat.

Some people are simply incapable of finding a way to become more optimistic by themselves. This isn’t necessarily a character flaw so much as it is just a sad fact of life. We live in a world that seems to focus on the negatives, a world that almost works to make us feel bad if we are happy with what is going on in our lives. During those moments when we do feel like we are pretty happy, the most honest among us are usually going to admit that they could feel a little bit happier.

So what are some tips to achieve that? What are some tips to be happier? You’ve come to the right place.

Accentuate the Positive

While this particular piece of advice might sound a bit trite, there is a reason that the old song exists. When we start to get down about one aspect of our life, the natural progression is usually to start thinking about the other things that aren’t going right. This builds and builds until pretty soon, we’re officially down in the dumps.

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This is why it is important to make sure you are paying attention to the positives in your life. Mental health professionals swear by doing an excercise as simple as writing down a couple of things per day that made you feel good, or that you were happy about. By pointing out to yourself that you have things in your life that you can be happy about, you will actually get happier.

Find Some “Me” Time

If you are like most of us, your day tends to be one long race to the finish line (read bed time). If you are an office worker, you are probably becoming accustomed to working longer than 8 hours in a day, and more than 40 hours in a week. Technology is great, but with the rise of mobile devices has come the ability for our bosses to get ahold of us outside the office much easier. The problem is that, not only does working longer hours make for a less than happy employee; studies are starting to show that working longer hours can actually be hazardous to your health.

Once you do finally call it a day at work, you might be coming home to a house that needs cleaning, or clothes that need washing. We love our children, but they do take up quite a bit of time and can be a handful all their own.

From time to time, you simply need to find a way to get away from it all and unwind. This doesn’t mean you need to take a vacation from some far away land. This could mean making sure that before you collapse into sleep; you take 20 or 30 minutes to relax. Read a good book, watch your favorite program or just listen to music. Do something that is just about looking after yourself. Don’t let this “me” time be interrupted either. If you have to announce that you need half an hour of privacy and quiet, then do so. Don’t feel guilty that you’re taking this time either.

You might feel like you are being selfish tucking away time to do only what you want to do, but the fact of the matter is that you need to recharge every once in a while. Even more important is that every once in a while, you take more than a few minutes. Work something out with your spouse, your friends, or a baby sitter. Whatever you have to do make sure that you are out doing what you want to do. This really will make it that much easier to enjoy yourself more often and will make you happier in the long run.