1. Take a minute for yourself before getting out of bed
Starting the day in a rush is the worst thing you can do for yourself. It increases your irritability and makes you less productive. A good habit to start for the new year is setting your alarm five minutes earlier. This small change will give you time to wake up, stretch, and think about your goals for the day before finally falling into your daily routine.
2. Wear more yellow!
According to health.com, adults reported feeling happier and more upbeat around the color yellow. So, even if its not “your color”, try it out! Although you might feel like you look like big bird, trust me you don’t. This is an easy way to affect those around you in a positive way, without them even knowing it!
3. Appreciate the little things more often
A friend from high school used to always post pictures of leaves on her snapchat stories. Now although this is no big deal to the average joe, this annoyed the heck out of me. I never understood it. I would always text her and say “enough with the leaves” or “stop being a treehugger.” It wasn't until college that I realized it wasn't the leaves she was so obsessed with. She was obsessed with the little things that God puts around this world to make us smile. She loved detail and she loved things that usually weren't loved. Overall, this character trait she has is a blessing to all our friends because she spreads so much joy, laughter and love.
4. Take advantage of intimidating opportunities
This one can be best explained with a few examples. Lets start with kids. Well you guys shouldn't even have a Facebook, but if for some reason you are on here, get off and go play! Say yes to the sleepover with the shy kid from school. High-Schoolers, say yes to that guy who you don't really know, but was bold enough to ask you to prom. College kids, stop keeping your head down and headphones in and talk to random humans! Adults, take that job thats far away or move in with that guy you've been dating for months. Do things that make you happy and do them now.
5. Laugh more
This one is short, simple and sweet. Don’t ever take yourself too seriously. Laugh every chance you get, even if it is at yourself sometimes. As they say, laughter is life’s best medicine.
6. Don’t be afraid to doll yourself up sometimes…
Specifically college girls, including myself, don't be scared to dress up and do your hair for class. Look good, feel good. You don't need to wear a t-shirt and shorts everyday just because everyone else is. Sometimes it’s nice to dress up…even if it is just for class. This can go both ways and also be applied in the reverse scenario. If you always dress up and look stunning, don't be afraid to throw that hair up in a ponytail and wipe the makeup off for the day. Do exactly what makes you happy and don't worry about what anyone else thinks.
7. Get off your phone!!
Happiness comes in many shapes and sizes, but I can tell you it does not come in the size of a 4x 2 inch iPhone screen that you can’t unplug from. Stop letting that tiny screen consume you and your thoughts!! It seems like nowadays people can’t even sit through a movie without checking their phone to see what they missed. According to cleveland.com, the more time you spend on your phone, the more anxiety you have. So, starting in 2016, only use it when you need it. Spend more time having quality conversations or reading!
8. Pay it forward
Of course a new year comes with a whole new set of quotas to meet at work or problems to solve at home, but spend your time this year worrying less about yourself and more about others. Yes, we all have stressful things going on in our life, but….here’s the crazy thing we sometimes forget…. so does everyone else. Go out of your way for other people! This could be as simple as giving someone a compliment or paying for someone else’s Starbucks. It is an easy way to improve your mood, while also helping out someone else.
9. Stop talking smack
This may be a little blunt but it’s true. We all do it. Gossiping has become a normal everyday occurrence in our society. Someone gets on your nerves and immediately you go to the next friend and tell them all about it. You should never say hateful things about someone or to someone, even if they may say them to you. Kill them with kindness, as they say, and let love win. Drop the attitude, it isn't going to get you anywhere. Less smack talk will make you become a less negative person no doubt about it. Give it a test in 2016 and see how much happier you will become.
10. Radiate joy unceasingly
Finally after adding all these things together, you are guaranteed to be a more joyful person. So don't just keep all this joy to yourself… radiate it onto others. Show people how happy you are with that constant laughter and new yellow sundress! Show 2016 how it’s done.
