Every day, as soon as we wake up, we have a choice to make. We have the opportunity to make the day a good one or a bad one. The power is in our own hands to create or extinguish our happiness. It all starts with a positive outlook that gradually grows to a natural habit. It will further flourish and breed happiness in others because a simple single smile is highly contagious. Simply choose to be happy, starting today. Here are 11 ways to accomplish happiness:
1. Accept the things you cannot change
Everything happens for a reason, whether good or bad. It is meant to happen in your life. If you can and want to change them, do it. If it is something you have no control over, the best thing you can do for yourself is accept the fact that you cannot change it and find a way to move forward. Whether it is focusing your time and talents into a new hobby, more time with family and friends or simply picking up a book. Accept that you can't change it, and move on.
2. Blast your favorite song
Go for a long drive alone and just blast your favorite song. Enjoy the moment by yourself and sing at the top of your lungs because no one is judging you. Let the nice weather and good music make you happy because there aren't always going to be those great moments.
3. Let go of the people who are holding you down
If you considered them while reading this, you already know who they are. As hard as it might be to let go, it will better you as a person in the long run. I cannot stress this enough: you are in charge of your own happiness. It might end up being the hardest thing you ever have to do, but ridding toxic and nondepreciating people from your life is honestly the most important thing anyone at this age. Why would you want someone taking up a spot in your life when all they do is bring you down? Leave that spot open for someone who only hopes to lift you up.
4. Go for a run
A nice, long run. Run until you feel good - and I promise you will. Even if the thought of running makes you sick to your stomach, by the end of it, all of your big problems will seem a lot smaller. Take it slow and walk if you have to, but running is proven to be a huge stress reliever and a solution solver according to Run Haven. Going on a run boosts your brain's serotonin levels which makes you calmer and more relaxed and is good for your over-all mental health,
5. Call someone you love
Just hearing their voice will make your day.
6. Rip up the past
Whether it's letters from your ex, pictures with your old best friend who stabbed you in the back or bad grades from high school. Rip. Them. Up. The past is the past for a reason and you aren't going back there. You are here now, you've mad it this far. So, rip them to shreds, it feels amazing.
7. Smile
Whether it's at a friend, or a stranger in the hall, they will return the favor. Smiling is contagious and will boost your mood immediately.
8. Write it all out
This might seem a little odd to some people, but writing out everything that is making you unhappy is a huge stress reliever. Even if it is something that you cannot share out-loud, write down what's upsetting you or stressing you out. Just scribble it all on a piece of paper and get it out of your head. You'll realize that once it is out of your mind, you'll feel a bit better. Then crumble it up, rip it up, and toss it out. Out of sight, out of mind.
9. Share a random act of kindness
I promise you, it will be returned. Pay for the person behind you at the toll, for that ladies coffee in line, or sit with someone who is eating alone. You never know the impact you can make on someone with just one small gesture. It will make their day, and yours.
10. Watch your favorite movie
Even after the 30th time, it's still good.
11. Realize that you are your own biggest critic
People do not see all the flaws that you see in yourself.So realize that they are not imperfections, but they make you unique and perfect in your own way. All those small things that you don't like about yourself, no one else sees them as faults. They simply make you, you.
