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7 Tips for a Happier Life

How can you have a happier life? Try these seven things!

Maggie Slighte

Feb 27, 2019

National Storytellers Society

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M Slighte

Are you struggling with life? Just can't seem to find a reason, yet not so depressed you'd actually think about seeking help. Maybe you just aren't finding the joy in those things that used to make you happy? Here are seven things that you can try to help put a hop back into your step:

1. Be Grateful

It helps to keep track of those things we are grateful for

M Slighte

Create a gratitude journal. Find something to be grateful for each day and write it down before you go to bed. It may not seem like it makes sense, to be grateful for something when you are still grumbly...but try it. The next time you make that green light or the bus just in time, say "thank you" to the Universe.

2. Smile

Smile...others will smile too!

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Think about an idea in the morning that puts a smile on your face. No one has to know what you're smiling about. Meet everyone with a smile. Some people will smile back, others may look at you like you're crazy...but chances are they will be smiling when they do it! Smiling is contagious, try it!

3. Embrace Your Beliefs - Live Them

Whatever you believe...practice it

M Slighte

Everyone has things they believe in. Be it a religious or spiritual belief or a belief in the common good of humanity, those beliefs need to be acted upon for their greatest benefit. If you have a religious membership, incorporate those things that you do to maintain it into your schedule. If you believe in helping the homeless, make time in your day to do it. What you believe in is deeply personal, the activities you choose to represent those beliefs will be just as personal.

4. Set Simple Goals & Reward Yourself When You Meet Them

Does your closet need some TLC...Mine sure does!

M Slighte

This isn't about the big things you've been wanting to do for years, these are small things, goals you can set and meet easily within a week. Maybe you've been wanting to clean out that closet and give those old clothes away? Set a goal and do it. Then reward yourself with a new top or maybe a special treat at the local bakery you've been wanting to try.

5. Spend More Time with Your Friends

Our friends need us as much as we need them!

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The people you call your friends are your chosen family. They laugh and cry with you. Call them. Okay, maybe texting would be preferable. However you communicate with your friends, do more of it! Make a plan and get together every couple of weeks for coffee or something. They miss you.

6. Get A Dog -- or Two!

Even going to the beach is more fun with dogs!

M Slighte

Our canine companions make us happy in so many ways. They will greet you with a wagging tail when you leave even for a few minutes. One side-effect of exchanging looks with or petting a dog is a "happiness hormone," oxytocin, is released in both the dog and you!

7. Walk Your Talk – Live Your Ideals

Participation in those activities that support our ideals is essential for a full life

M Slighte

Make the extra effort to do those things you talk about doing. If you believe that eating meat isn't the best choice, choose alternative protein sources. If you believe we should use less plastic, act on it, use fewer plastic items. Whatever your ideals are, put them into practice, you'll be all the happier for it.

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Recommended for you

7 Tips for a Happier Life

How can you have a happier life? Try these seven things!

1. Be Grateful

2. Smile

3. Embrace Your Beliefs - Live Them

4. Set Simple Goals & Reward Yourself When You Meet Them

5. Spend More Time with Your Friends

6. Get A Dog -- or Two!

7. Walk Your Talk – Live Your Ideals

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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