Have you ever caught yourself in a particularly foul mood and wondered, “Why can’t I just be happy?” Sometimes that bad mood may last longer than just a day or two and you begin to catch yourself in a cycle of negativity that you can’t seem to break out of. However, you do not have to give up and simply accept things as they are. Here are ten tips on how to live a happier and healthier life.

1. Become aware of your thoughts and emotions, then take a step back.

Every time you notice yourself thinking something negative or feeling terrible, take note of it. Realize what you're feeling, take a deep breath, then let go. Imagine grabbing that negative thought or feeling, and then, as you are breathing out; shoving it into a trash can. Cover the can firmly with a lid and push it away into the furthest part of your mind. Take another deep breath and move on.

2. Start and end each day on a positive note.

While it may sound cheesy, this method is one of the best ways to immediately improve your mood. As soon as you wake up in the morning, make a list in your head of things you are grateful for. Think about these things for a while as you get ready and realize all the good things you have in your life. At the end of the day, think back on everything that occurred, both the good and the bad. For every bad event that you remember, try to think of three positive things that happened as well. Soon, you will realize that there is a lot of positivity and blessings in your life after all!

3. Introduce healthy habits into your daily life.

I'm not saying you need to begin an extreme diet or lose weight to be a happier person, because not only would that be ridiculous, but it would be hypocritical as well. Everyone who has met me knows that I love my chocolate a little too much! However, there are small habits that you can introduce into your daily life that will infinitely increase your general mood. These habits include exercise, a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, taking personal time for yourself, and working hard on set goals for yourself, among numerous other examples. While these seem basic, they are important habits to adopt sooner than later. Don’t give yourself excuses. As Shia LaBeouf said, “Just do it!”

4. Enjoy the moment.

Often times, we take things for granted or get caught up in the grander aspects of life. Every now and then, make sure to stop and just appreciate the fact you are alive. Appreciate the fact that you are in this moment right now, and that you have people who care and support you. Look at everything around you, and marvel that this all exists despite everything. Try to unplug from technology sporadically in order to be fully present in the moment. While our phones are marvelous pieces of technology that can connect us with people far away, they can also disconnect us from those closest to us at times. Always try to just enjoy life!

5. Learn to forgive.

Hatred and bitterness are easy emotion traps to fall into that can greatly drag your life down. It is undisputed that people can be truly cruel and do terrible, unspeakable things. They can tear your life apart and walk away without remorse. However, we must all learn to forgive, if not for their sake then for our own. Negative emotions, such as hatred, slowly kill the soul and destroy our lives. By forgiving others, you will grow as a person through kindness and maturity. While you may forgive, never forget, because everything that happens in your life happens for a reason: so that you may learn. Through your experiences, you will grow into the person you are meant to be in life.

6. Practice in empathy and compassion.

It is far too easy to be cruel to others. It is easy to focus on yourself and your own problems while pushing everyone else to the side. However, this lack of empathy can lead to a bitter and empty lifestyle, lacking close, true companions by your side. Instead, strive to be a better, kinder, person. Make sure to do a kind act every day, even in just the smallest ways. Hold the door open for someone. Smile at a stranger. Compliment someone. Maybe even pay for a stranger’s meal in line at a restaurant or grocery store. There are so many things you can do that will brighten someone else’s day, with little expense to your own. There truly is no better feeling than bringing a smile to someone’s face.

7. Smile!

Smiling and laughter have always been associated with joy, for the simple fact that the actions typically cause you to feel happy! A major key to happiness is to allow yourself to enjoy activities that bring you laughter, such as watching a comedy, reading a humor blog, or joking around with friends. Stress, school, and work can take over your life if you let them, so always manage your time efficiently enough so that you can relax and have fun. Let your smile shine!

8. Realize what is important to you.

We are all only on this earth for a set amount of time before we pass on. We need to make sure we are making the most of our time by doing what we love and by leaving a positive impact behind for the future generations. It is all too common for us to get caught up in drama or stress and forget about what is truly important. Everyone's priorities are different, but we all need to strive to find our passions and stick to them once discovered. By focusing on your passion, not only will you find happiness, but you will find a deep sense of comfort as well, knowing that you are doing what you were meant to do in life.

9. Foster meaningful and positive relationships.

Toxic relationships, whether they are romantic, friendly, or familiar, are incredibly draining. The other person may not consciously intend to hurt you, but their lifestyle choices can impact you physically, emotionally, and mentally in a harmful manner. Sometimes, you can talk with the person and sort things out in order to make the relationship healthier. However, too often there are times where things don’t change. If a relationship is causing you more pain than happiness over time, then what’s the point? Try to surround yourself with people who genuinely care about you and have similar positive outlooks on life. You need to take care of yourself first and foremost, even if it means losing some relationships along the way

10. Learn to love yourself

At the end of the day, you will always be with yourself, no matter what. You cannot escape who you are, so it is best to begin to accept and love yourself. You will make mistakes occasionally and you will often feel lost in the rush of life. You may hate yourself for decisions made in the past and be uncertain as to what your future holds. There are so many uncertainties in life, but you will certainly always be there for yourself in the end. So, make peace with yourself. Learn to see past the flaws in order to see all the amazing things you are capable of. Everyone has the potential to do wonderful and beautiful things and to leave a positive mark on the world. It all begins with how you see yourself.