Everyone goes through days when everything just goes wrong for you. It could be something as simple as your bathroom shower refusing to bring warm water or something bigger like being late for work because there was an accident on your usual work route. It could even be something huge like having a fight with your boss or your best friend or getting fired. Whatever it is that is bothering you there are things you can do to be happy and pull yourself out of the dumps.
Some Tricks to Be Happy
When everything goes wrong it helps to have some ‘get happy tricks’ up your sleeve. Following are a few of those tricks.
Deep Breathing
By taking deep breaths you relax your body and help your body to calm down. Breathing deeply can help in reducing blood pressure as well as your intent to scream your head off.
A good technique for deep breathing is to put your right hand on your chest and your left on your abdomen. Breathe deeply and be mindful of whether or not your left hand raises higher than your right. If you find this to be the case then you are on the right path. Don’t breathe too fast – one breath every 10 seconds should do.
Talk to yourself
It is therapeutic to discuss with yourself all the things that are bothering you as if you are talking to someone else. You can have an inner conversation if you are in public or it can be out loud if you are in private.
Be your own best friend. Tell yourself positive things like ‘Even though this happened I have that to look forward to’. You can even just tell yourself that soon you will be happy again because worries always pass, and then start thinking about the positive things coming in your life. Take note of all the positive things you have accomplished and speak out loud about your determination to be happy in the life. After doing this, smile and be happy. Things will start to shift.
Engage in Your Favorite Hobby
If the day has been difficult, hobbies have been known to help distract your attention. Take out that book you have been intending to read and lose yourself in it. Go to a movie. Go out with some friends. Fix that toilet you’ve been meaning to fix. The point is to get busy taking your mind off what is making you feel down and allowing it a chance to be happy again.
Whatever you do don’t engage in the negative behavior like going out to the bar and drinking yourself under the table. This kind of activity doesn’t help you be happy – it actually hinders your happiness. Only engage in activities that you really enjoy and always have a positive outcome from.
Be Philanthropic
You don’t have to donate millions of dollars to that charity organization. Just do something nice for or to someone. Show kindness to people and when you see how happy they are you will also be happy because you have made a difference in someone’s life and they appreciate it. Philanthropy is a huge, huge way for you to be happy.
Get Organized in Your Life
If you are living in chaos then it will be harder to calm down and be happy. When you keep the order in your life you become more productive and quicker to resolve conflicts. This means keeping a clean house, office, and car.
At home, fold those clothes that lay scattered in your bedroom, clean the kitchen and remove the clutter of gadgets on the kitchen counter, and get rid of all the knick-knacks that just take up space. If you come home to a clean ordered house you will be happier than when you come home to clutter and disorganization.
I know that personally a messy house or office can hinder my ability to pull myself out of my bad mood. In fact, sometimes it can make it worse. When I come home from a bad day all I want to do is melt into my couch and read – not look around at the mess. It’s really amazing what being clean and organized can do for you in regards to happiness.
Get enough sleep
Many people try to beat those work deadlines by spending their precious sleep hours working. Try not to carry your work (or your problems) home. Let your home be your haven, the place where you unwind and rest. And if you work at home then leave the work in your office and make a point to pretend like you are coming home for the day once you leave your office.
Sleep is therapeutic. People who get enough sleep are happier and more resourceful compared to those who don’t get enough sleep. Sleep allows your body and mind to recover from the day and energize for a brand new day.
Be grateful
Finally, it is good to count your blessings. Write down all the positive qualities you posses and all the good things you have in life. Once you start to really appreciate and be grateful for the things in your life you will find that it’s not hard to be happy at all. Gratitude equals happiness.
Remember, feeling happy is a state of mind that can be achieved despite bad happenings. Being positive always helps in bringing happiness – even when negativity surrounds you. Remember that not everything will be negative even when it feels like it is, so look for the positive little things in your life – even if it is just the bright warm sunshine.
About The Author:
This article was written by Kari, the main writer behind Manifest Connection, a blog that focuses on personal growth of the mind, body, and soul – including how to be happy right now.
