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Author: Creative Happiness

Write It Out

Write It Out

Everyone gets frustrated sometimes. Occasionally, this can get to the point where you have to vent your feelings; or you feel like you’ll explode. We’ve talked about texting and emailing as ways to vent these feelings. However sometimes you aren’t in the mood to talk to anyone, or maybe you’re mad at the people you usually talk to. You still have these feelings though, and you know they need to come out.

In this case, a good way to vent your feelings is through a private journal. You don’t have to worry about what you say, because the only person who gets to see it is you. This can be a great way to let out your feelings, which can avoid arguments and hurting other peoples feelings.

Another more public way to vent your feelings is in an online journal. This can be through a blog, or one of the many social media platforms out there. Now you might not want to get into the tiny personal details publicly, but there are still a great many advantages of venting this way. First of all, you can get advice about your problems from people who have more life experience, knowledge or simply a different perspective than you. Also your venting does not always have to be about your problems, you can tell your friends what you have been up to, or about a special event in your life. Many sites also have room for pictures, so you can add photos from your latest outing, show others your latest art project, or whatever else comes to mind really.

You should be careful with what you say online though. You never know who will be reading it. If you are complaining about your someone you know, you could find yourself having to try to explain your words to them later on. It is not worth ruining a close relationship like this just because you were mad. This is where it would be good to draw the line between what goes online, and what goes into a more private journal.

Overall, the point is that sometimes you just need to get things out and release your feelings.

Live It Up

Live It Up

I don’t know what it is about good live performances, but one good show can seem to melt all your cares away, and keep you in a good mood for days afterward. However live shows can get quite pricey! Many times the cost of a great show you want to see can make you feel uncomfortable. On one hand, you want to be wise with what you spend your hard earned money on. On the other hand, you want to see that awesome show! What to do? Well, as with many things – there’s a happy middle ground.

If you are looking to catch a live show, but don’t have much money to spend, the local bar is a great place to look. Many small, independent bands will go on bar tours to form a fan base. The band gains exposure to new fans, and you get to see a show for a budget friendly price. Bars will often only charge a small cover fee to get into their shows. Many times you may even find one with no charge at all. These are the perfect scenes to sit around and have a drink with a friend while enjoying some new and interesting music.

If you are not quite old enough for bars yet, fear not as there are still ways to enjoy cheap music. Small community theaters will often book independent bands, and sell tickets to the show for cheap. If music is not your thing, these theaters also often host poetry readings, plays, and magic shows, so you’re bound to find something that fits your taste and budget.

Another great place to catch live entertainment is are fairs. The great thing about this option is you can sometimes see many different things for just the entry price. These fairs are often held in large fields, and last all day with different events that everyone can enjoy.

However some of you might not like new music, you would much rather see a classic rock band. The problem with this can be that many of them stopped performing awhile ago. If you pay attention though, many cover bands have come around that play these older songs. This can be a hit or miss, but sometimes you don’t know until you try. Some of these cover bands can actually be quite good and come at a pretty affordable price.

Just Dance

Just Dance

just-dance-humbSometimes if you hear a good beat, you just can’t help but move to it. I know I am always finding myself dancing in weird places like grocery stores at restaurants. I probably get some weird looks from doing this, but I don’t care. It makes me happy.

I’m sure many of you have had a bad day, and put on a good song that made your day just a little bit better. Well this can also work with dancing. If any of you have ever been to a club, can you honestly tell me you can walk away from there not feeling better than you did coming in? Letting the music move you and just not caring about what you are doing can be very liberating. Therefore it can put you in a great mood.

This idea does not only apply to clubs though, or even parties. In fact, nobody has to be around at all. All you need is some upbeat music, and a  lot of space. This is also good if you are self conscious about dancing in front of others.

Besides lifting your spirits, dancing can also have some great health benefits. If you work up a sweat while dancing, you can get a great workout. If you do this regularly you might even be able to lose some weight. This can lead to a greater self confidence, and who knows, maybe you might want to take those moves out of your home, and into the club.

Do What You Want

Do What You Want

do-what-you-want-thumbPeople seem to have a strong desire to impress others. Sometimes this can be useful. In cases such as job interviews, first meetings with people, or special occasions it is probably a good idea to watch what you say and do. However many people take this further, and try to impress people all the time. Sometimes they can be so worried about what others think, that it keeps them from doing what they want.

Why is this? Well it could be a fear of rejection. If someone thinks your hobbies are weird, they may not like you. It could also be a fear of failure, or many other reasons. You should not let any of this stop you from what you really want to do though.

If someone doesn’t like the things you collect or the music you listen to, too bad for them. If someone doesn’t like you for who you are, they are not worth being friends with anyway. If you are scared to join a sports team for fear of being called a dumb jock, don’t be. Don’t let others opinions dictate what you do. It’s your life, do what makes you happy.

Don’t be afraid to fail either. Most people are not good at something right away. It takes practice. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t hit a home run the first day on the team, or if your painting is not a masterpiece. Just stick with it, you will get better. Then someday you could have something to look back on a feel proud of. This will never happen though, if you give up.

The main point is to go out there and do what makes you happy. Don’t worry about failing, or what others think. With practice you can master anything, all you need is the drive to make it happen. Also if people don’t like you just because of you hobbies, too bad, you deserve better.

Make it Right

Make it Right

make-it-right-thumbEverybody has done or said something they regret in life. Often times people are hurt through bad decisions we make. These bad choices can often leave friendships or relationships in pieces. Many times these relationships never get mended, and it leaves both sides wondering what could have happened if they just made up.

Well, why don’t people just make up? A lot of the time they might feel that the relationship is too damaged, that the other person will not forgive them for what they have done. This might be true at the beginning. However, if you give the other person some space they may come around. Don’t expect them to be the one who tries to make peace though. They are hurt, and might think you don’t care anymore. If you are the one to come to them though, they may think differently.

However, don’t expect things will go back to how they once were right away. Things might be awkward for a awhile, and it may take some time for them to let you fully back in. Don’t give up though. If this relationship or friendship was meant to be, it will get better.

Try being extra nice to them, and show them you really do care about them. Take them out to their favorite restaurant, or surprise them one day with a special gift. Also try to be aware of what you say, this is a sensitive time, and if you say the wrong thing, you could lose them again, and the second time it might be harder to get them back.

The main point is everyone makes mistakes, and if someone cares about you they usually will forgive you in time. So don’t be afraid to call up someone you had a fight with and make it right again. You might be surprised, they might have been waiting all this time for you to call up and apologize. They probably missed you.

Visit Somewhere New

Visit Somewhere New

visit-somewhere-new-thumbFrom time to time all of us feel like we would rather be somewhere else, but with all the commitments from work and children and whatever else, it seems almost impossible sometimes. However there are ways to still go see new and interesting places without spending a lot of money or taking many days off work.

Most businesses give you a certain number of paid days off. You should use these to your advantage. If you have managed to keep yourself and your family healthy, you might have a lot of vacation days saved up at the end of the year. Many people will save up all their vacation days, then just take them all off at once and hang out at home or go shopping. However a better idea might be to get your Christmas shopping done on the weekends, and go somewhere interesting for your vacation. It might seem like a pain to cram all your shopping into weekends, but it will be worth it in exchange for once in a lifetime memories.

However obviously it might not always be so easy to leave the country or even the state. Money might be tight, you might not be able to get a sitter for your kids or pets. Also maybe you were thinking about taking the kids but they can be cranky and argumentative when faced with too much family togetherness. If this is the case the solution is simple. Go somewhere close to home that you’ve never been.

Ok so going to that thrift store around the corner might not be as interesting as a trip to Europe, but it beats spending your time off watching reruns on TV. And who knows you might find something really interesting there thats not available anywhere else. Even if you don’t, you can at least say you got out of the house, and tried something different.

Make Use of Your Time

Make Use of Your Time

make-use-of-your-time-thumbTime is important, and often times it seems like you don’t have enough of it. There are always things you want to do, but don’t end up doing. It seems like there is to much else you HAVE to do which takes time away from things you WANT to do. Not to mention the fact that after working all day and doing errands, sometimes you just feel too tired to do anything productive with yourself.

This kind of thinking can actually make you feel worse though. I have also been there. I work and have to do stuff around the house, and am also tired by the end of the day. However I still try to find time in every day to do something I want to do. Whether that be something as simple as talking to a friend or playing a game or something creative such as working on an art project, editing a video, or writing.

It might seem hard, but you should not like your busy life get in the way of your happiness. It seems like the easier, less stressful way to go sometimes, but the opposite is true. If you don’t find time for yourself, your stress could build up, and you might end up miserable and full of regrets.

The solution is simple: budget your time. Sure there may be a lot of things that need to get done around the house, but they don’t need to get done all at once. For example one day you could clean, the next you go shopping, and on the weekend you do the garbage. Also splitting daily chores, such as dishes, with other members of the household can cut the work down dramatically.

By earning how to budget your time you are able to enjoy some much needed me time. This in turn can make you a much happier and fufilled person. It also might lead you to be more motivated, and be able to get those dreaded chores done even faster, and maybe make them not seem as bad.

Just Breathe

Just Breathe

just-breathe-thumbEveryone has had stressful situations where they feel like if they don’t get out of the room soon, they are going to explode. Well, why don’t you? Even if you are busy, it is always a good idea to take a break. It might seem like a good idea at the time to just buckle down and work for hours on end until you get a project done. However doing this can actually hurt your productivity. Without taking a break, you can start to feel overwhelmed and get stressed out. Sometimes this gets so bad to the point where you can barely even work anymore.

I find it is a good idea to take a break every hour or two while working on a big project. This can help avoid stress, and keep your mind clear and working well. These do not have to be big breaks, nor should they be if you are on a deadline. Something simple such as having a short conversation with a friend, grabbing a snack, or getting a drink work great.

This technique can also work great in stressful social situations. We have all found ourselves in situations where someone is really making us mad, and we would really like to give them a piece of our mind. However this is not a good idea, and it might lead to losing your job or important relationships. Leaving the room and taking a short break is the best thing to do to avoid saying something you will regret later.

However you cannot always leave the room. Sometimes you are in a meeting, someone is explaining something that you need to hear, or you just feel rude leaving the room. Someone is still making you angry though, and you feel like you are about to explode, but you don’t really see a good way of being able to exit the room. In this situation all you can really do is take a deep breath and hope for the best. Then, when the time is right, go and take your break, you deserve it.

Throw a Party

Throw a Party

throw-a-party-thumbEveryone at one time or another feels the need to cut loose, and not worry about anything. A party is a great way to do this. Parties do not require a special occasion nor to they require you to be old enough to drink. All you need for a party is good friends and a location to have it.

One misconception is that you need to have money to throw a party. You do not need to cater out and worry about decorating the house all fancy if you don’t want to. In fact you don’t even need a house at all. You could reserve a few lanes at the bowling alley and invite all your friends to come bowl for a few hours. The bowling alley is actually a great place to have a party when they are doing cosmic bowling. They replace all the regular lights with black-lights and rotating colored lights, and play dance music. At this point it almost becomes closer to a dance club than a normal bowling alley. (Trust me its also much more fun!)

Bowling Alleys are not the only place to have a party outside the house though. Resterants and campgrounds also make good places to have parties. Be aware of a few things with these locations though. At a resterant you may want to call ahead if you have a large party, so they can have a space ready for you. If not you may have to wait for quite awhile, since they may need to clear a few tables to accommiadate your party. Having a party at a campground can be fun because you get to spend time outdoors, cook your own food over a campfire, and do something different you probabaly don’t do often. However be aware that if you are at a campground where the campsites are close together, neighboring campers might get mad if you are being too loud. So try to find a campground with camp sites that are far apart, and be courteous of your neighbors.

Parties are very social settings. As well as catching up with old friends, you can also make new ones. A great way to do this is to allow each person to invite one guest. Be aware of this though, because if you invite too many people, or someone invites more than one guest, your party can get out of control quickly.

There is nothing really quite like a fun party with good friends. Remember though like everything else there are certian things you need to be aware of, and certian procautions you might need to take. However, if done right, great parties can make memories for years to come, and fun times you may never forget.

Reconnect with an Old Friend

Reconnect with an Old Friend

Many times we find ourselves thinking about the people we used to know and wondering what they are doing. Back several years ago, if you or your friends moved away, and you didn’t have their address, there was a good chance you would never see them again. Even if you did have their address, writing letters was time consuming and tedious, so eventually you would probably stop writing and lose touch.

That is not the case at all anymore. With multiple social networks all over the internet, it is much easier to get back in touch with your friends. I personally have reconnected with a lot of my old school friends online. You don’t even have to know where someone lives anymore. Most peoples profiles have pictures on them so all you have to know is the persons first and last name to find them.

Also cell phone plans have changed a lot over the last few years. Most cell phone plans have free long distance, so as long as your friends still live in the country you can call them for the same price as your friend down the street. You could start out by contacting them through one of their online profiles, and then through chatting find out their phone number. This could lead to hours of fun conversations and revisiting the old jokes that would make you laugh until you cried.

People think that as time passes it can become to late to contact an old friend. They think their friends will not remember them, or they will have moved on and not want to revisit the past. Well this is almost never the case. Most people do not forget others they were close with, no matter how much time passes. They will most likely be glad to hear from you and want to know what you have been up to all these years. These conversations might even lead to a meet up were you can get together and hang out like you used to.

Whether it is through the internet or phone or both, reconnecting with friends can be a major source of happiness.  I’ve lost touch with people for a few years, reconnected and picked up right where we left off. I have still stayed close with one friend that I once lost touch with, and still to this day consider her one of my best friends.

Surprise Someone Special

Surprise Someone Special

surprise-someone-special-thumb
Everyone wants to feel loved, to feel like they are someone special. There has probably been times in your life where someone special did something really nice for you to cheer you up, or to just show they care. Why not repay the favor and do something nice for someone special in your life.

Doing something nice can be as big or as small as you want. You could buy tickets for an event they want to see or take them out to dinner at their favorite place. It could also be as simple as picking up their favorite kind of cookies and surprising them with it. In fact doing something nice could cost nothing at all. You could hand make them something thoughtful such as a collage of photos, or a video of funny memories. It could even be as simple as offering to go for a walk with them to get away when they have had a bad day.

Now some of you are probably thinking, “I’m single, I don’t have a special someone.” Somehow i doubt thats true. Even if you are not dating someone or married, I am sure there is someone in your life you are close with. Someone you hang out with often and who knows everything about you. This could be anyone from a family member to a close friend. What matters is that they are important and special to you.

A very important part about caring about someone is showing them that. One of the best ways to do that is to go out of your way every once in awhile and do something nice for them. Remember that if you are nice to others, they will be nice to you. Maybe one day someone special will treat you to dinner, or surprise you with your favorite snack.

Rise to the Challenge

Rise to the Challenge

rise-to-the-challenge-thumbEverybody faces obstacles in their life. These are things that get in the way of what you have to do, or just complications that arise. You know you have to get through them though, so you do what you have to. What happens though when obstacles get in the way of what you want to do, such as your dreams and goals? Many people just give up because that is the easier thing to do.

You really shouldn’t let obstacles get in the way of what you want to do. What you should do is rise to the challenge. It might be tough and at times you might wish you were sitting on your butt watching TV instead, but you cannot let this stop you. Even if something seems almost impossible, there is almost always a way to get through it.

If you find an obstacle in your way the first thing to do is access it. Figure out what it is that is keeping you from getting what you want. Once you have figured it out, try to think of different solutions to the problem. If you are really stuck and feel there is no way to get around it, call a friend or a family member, and see if they have any advice. However, if you are getting too frustrated to think properly or make good use of your time, take a break and come back to it later. This should not be a permanent break though. Come back to the problem after you have calmed down a bit, and try to work on it again.

Rising to a challenge not only helps you accomplish your goals, but knowing that you pushed through a tough time to achieve them can make you feel even better when you get there. When you get to that point you realize there is not much that can get in your path. The only thing that can stop you is your own limitations, and even those are higher than most people would initially think.

Teach What You Know

Teach What You Know

teach-what-you-know-thumbMost people have something they are good at, whether its a hobby or something they do professionally. However many people don’t realize they can help by teaching others what they are good at.

Teaching does not have to be done in a classroom or any professional setting for that matter. In fact it can be as simple as showing your friend how you made that cool computer background. Teaching is not just showing however. You also must guide the person through the process. Let them know what they are doing right and what they can improve on. Also be ready to answer any questions they might have.

Now how does this help my happiness?

Well, having taught people myself I can tell you that you get a great sense of accomplishment by helping others. Its also a good feeling when you look at how someone has improved just since you started helping them. Also teaching makes you look at the finer points of a skill. This in turn actually helps you become better at it.

I know many people are thinking, “I have a busy schedule, I don’t have time to teach.”  Although many of you don’t realize that you might already be teaching. Helping your children with homework, or playing a sport can be a form of teaching. Even helping a family member with computer problems can be. You are helping someone with a problem, and therefore improving their knowledge in that specific skill. If you don’t already do this though, you should think about it. You can pass on valuable knowledge to others, and possibly even grow closer in the process.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

dont-sweat-the-small-stuff-thumbEveryone gets stressed, and everyone tends to worry about things that don’t really matter. These small little things might seem like a big deal at the time, but in comparison to a lot of things, they really aren’t. You could actually be hurting yourself and others by stressing out about things more than you need too.

The first thing you need to do when you start getting worried or mad about something is to ask yourself is it worth it in the long run. Will this thing that’s making me so mad matter tomorrow, in a week, or in a month? If the answer is no, then it is probably not worth your time. Remember everyone has a lot to do, and only a set amount of time to do it. Your time can be spent doing much more productive things,  other than stressing out about the small stuff.

If you feel like you can’t keep yourself from worrying the best thing to do is to keep yourself busy. This can be accomplished many different ways. You could play a game, read a book, visit a friend, watch a movie or many other things. The important thing is to keep your mind busy, so it will not go back to worrying. One thing you shouldn’t do is trying not to think about it, the more you that, the more you probably will think about it. The best thing to do is to go do something else, and keep yourself busy.

If you stay busy, you are making better use of your time and get more done. This can also lead to less stress, since you might be able to get those things you were worrying about out of the way. You will also might be doing more things that you want to do, which can make you happier. We all know that happier people tend to stress less too.

You might even find that with less stress, and making better use of your time that you have more motivation. This might lead you to go out and do things that you always wanted to do, but felt that you didn’t have the confidence or time to do so. This can lead to having a better and more satisfying life. Even if you don’t take it quite that far, less stress is better for everybody, and will probably improve your life, even if just a little bit.

Be Thankful for Family

Be Thankful for Family

be-thankful-for-family-thumbPeople are always talking about the importance of family, but you really never think much of it. However you really should. Family is important because they are some of the only people who will be there for you no matter what, will usually forgive you no matter what you do, and will be there to help when you need them.

Families are great to stay close to because they can be there for you when you need them. Lets say your an adult and you’ve been moved out for awhile, but you ran out of money or had a fight with your roomate. Often times in these cases family will let you live with them for awhile till you get back on your feet or find somewhere else to live.

Families can also be there to talk to when you are having problems. Often times family can also offer insight different than that of your peers. Older generations can tell you what they know from experiencing things that people your own age might not have. Younger generations can also help by teaching you to appreciate the simple things in life, and not get so stressed out over the little things.

Families are also some of the only people that will usually stick by your side no matter what. Often times you can say horrible things to a family member during a fight, and it will often be forgiven a few days later. This is an important thing, because often in life people go through bad times and say or do things they don’t mean. So it is nice to know that there are some people who will always be there even through the bad times.

Family is a very important source of happiness in life. They are the only people who have literally been there for you for your whole life, and will probably continue to be there for you for the rest of it, and any time you just need someone to talk to.

Change It Up

Change It Up

change-it-up-thumbEventually everyone seems to get bored with doing the same thing over and over every day. Going to the same job, coming back to the same house, and driving around the same town all the time. Life needs excitement, and one of the ways you can do that is by changing it up a little.

Ideal ways to change up your life would be to move to a whole new location or get a new job. Maybe even both. However this is not always possible for everyone. You might not have the money saved up to make a move, or you might not be able to afford to lose your insurance. However there are small simpler ways to change up your daily routine and keep it interesting.

One way to change things up is to go on a vacation. This might seem like an expensive option, but a vacation does not have to be a big deal. Just going away to somewhere interesting for the weekend can give you a nice break from the daily grind. Plus you might come home with memories you can remember for years to come.

Another way to mix up your routine a bit is by volunteering. Now you probably won’t get paid, but you will be doing something different, and the rewards can be great. Volunteering to do things such as help at a homeless shelter or teach some kids a sport might possibly be life changing for those you are helping.

If you have some money saved, another great thing you can do to keep things interesting is to go back to school. Doing this can teach you new skills, and eventually maybe make it easier to find a new job. Plus you might meet some interesting people along the way, who in turn also might be able to teach you what they know, and add to your learning experience.

Everyone will inevitably get bored with life and doing the same thing all the time. It is important to change things up once in awhile to keep this from happening. You don’t need to change your life drastically to keep it interesting. Sometimes its just as simple as trying something new.

Hang Out With Animals

Hang Out With Animals

hang-out-with-animals-thumbYou always hear people say dog is mans best friend, but never really think much of it. It really might be true though. Think about it. An animal appreciates you no matter what you look like, what your skills are or what your status in life is. An animal will like you just for you, and will never judge you. This is more than you can say about other people sometimes. This is one of the reasons being around an animal can make you feel good. As long as you pay attention to it and treat it well, it will like you.

There are many other benefits to being around animals. Sometimes when I have had a bad day, I can hold my cat for a few minutes and all of a sudden I feel a bit better. Come on who could be mad when those big eyes look up at you? Animals are smart too, sometimes it seems like they can almost tell if you are upset sometimes. I got into a car accident a few years ago, and my cat would stay on my bed from the time I woke up until i kicked her out when it was time for bed. Animals can be great companions, and can always be there when you need them.

Animals, especially cats and dogs, can also be fun to play with. Dogs are great for people who have an active lifestyle and spend a lot of time outside. They are great to run around the yard with and play catch. Cats can also be really fun to play with. Get a long string and dangle it in front of a cat. It will make them go crazy! Although no cat toy is quite as fun as a lazer. You have never seen a cat jump and lose it’s mind until you point a lazer at the wall.

Along the same lines animals can also be a great source of entertainment. I’m sure you have all been around a parrot at some point in your life. Parrots are very unique since they can mimick sounds around them. You can teach these birds to say things, or just watch and see what they pick up. Be aware though, they are still animals so watch what you say around them. You don’t want them repeating certian things in the wrong company.

Now i know animals can be quite expensive, and be kind of a hassle to maintain. However, you do not have to own an animal to enjoy their company. Chances are you know someone who has an animal that you can play with for a few hours. You can have a fun time and maybe even improve your mood a bit. The animal will probably appreciate it too since they love attention.

Make a List

Make a List

make-a-listIt often seems like there’s so much to do, but not enough time to do it. Either that, or there is always something you forget to do. Sometimes these things you forget to do can have very bad consequences. For example if you constantly are forgetting to do homework, you might fail a class. Even worse if you forget to put gas in your car, you might be late to work and get fired. However there is a solution. Making lists of things you need to remember is probably the best way to avoid these problems.

There are already things you probably almost always make lists for. If you have a large party you would probably make a list of how many guests are coming so you know how much food to order. However you might not make a list of simpler things such as what you need to bring with you for a small day trip. Although you know there’s been times when you wish you had. Maybe remembering to bring that bottle of sunscreen could’ve saved you a lot of trouble.

Most people are already making lists in their head of things that need to get done. However it is not a very good idea to rely soley on mental lists. Your brain processes so much everyday, that it is impossible to remember everything, even if its important. Yes every list does start out as a mental list, but the important thing is to write it down when you get the chance. You might not carry paper around with you, but I bet you usually have your cell phone. This works just as well, since many new phones now have memo sections to write notes to yourself. I personally find this way of list making to work very well.

I personally am always forgetting to do things, and I find making lists makes my life a whole lot easier. I use lists for just about everything from shopping lists to things I need to remember to bring with me. I even make little memos sometimes about who I need to call on my lunch break. Making lists is good idea for everyone to do because you never know when you might just forget to do the wrong thing.

Cheer Someone Up

Cheer Someone Up

cheer-someone-up-thumbEveryone will inevitably have bad things happen to them. The difference a lot of times between a bad day, and just a bad event can be determined by a caring friend. You all know you have had times were everything is going wrong, and you feel like there’s no hope. Then all of a sudden your crazy friend walks in the room and says something hilarious. Just this little act of kindness can make a huge difference in whether someone has a good or a bad day.

Everyone appreciates someone making them smile when they feel bad, but why not repay the favor. As I have pretty much said before, help others, and they will help you. Making someones day, or even just cheering them up a little can actually be one of the greatest sources of happiness.

Cheering someone up can actually be really simple. One of the things that can make my bad day better is laughter, and even better if someone else makes me laugh. There is a whole bunch of ways to do this. It can be as simple as just a joke or reminding someone of a funny time you have shared.

If humor is not your thing, there are many other ways to cheer someone up. You can offer to take them out somewhere to get away. This is good because it gives them a distraction, and can also brighten their mood if its something they have a fun time doing. Also something as simple as sending an email or text message can let them know you care. Often its just as easy as lending an ear, and letting them talk about whats bothering them.

Cheering someone up when they are having a bad day can be one of the most satisfying ways to bring happiness to others and yourself. It often requires very little effort, but just one nice thing could make someones whole day. One day you might be the one who has a bad day, and that friend you cheered up before might pay back the favor.

Wind Down

Wind Down

wind-down-thumbEveryone has a lot on their minds. From work, errands, children, problems, or just whatever else they need to get done, they have a lot running through their head. People lead very busy lives, and often it is hard for them to get to sleep because the days events are still running through their heads. You do need this sleep though, and your life will become even more stressful if you are not properly rested.

Fortunately there is a pretty simple way to help this problem. Try to plan some time into your schedule everyday to just lay around and relax. Now I know this sounds easier said than done, but just sitting around doing a relaxing activity for 10 minutes before bed can make it much easier to sleep. It is probably better to stay up for 10 minutes relaxing, than it is to toss and turn for an hour because you didn’t have a chance to clear your head. Overall those 10 extra minutes might make you have a better night’s sleep.

Activities such as watching TV at a low volume, listening relaxing music, or going online work great for me, but you need to find what works for you personally. The important thing is to avoid activities that might make you excited. Things such as playing video games, listening to loud music or gossiping with friends on the phone are probably not good to do if you are about to go to sleep.

Also try to avoid confrontations several hours before bed. There’s really nothing that is worse for a good nights sleep than getting in a fight. However if this does happen, try to do something relaxing that makes you happy as soon as possible. It sounds simple, but honestly this usually helps me in these situations.

Getting a good nights sleep is very important in leading a less stressful life.  Probably one of the most important ways you can get a good nights sleep is winding down at the end of the day.  If you have slept well, your day might be much easier to take on. You also might also make better, more informed desicions since you have a clearer head.