" If you want to be happy, be."
I used to think it was way more complicated than this. I'm only nineteen years old, but I can speak from experience. I've had my battles with depression and anxiety. I've dealt with everything form losing a loved one to just petty high school drama that has made us all come home and cry to our moms. I know how it feels to lay in bed and not want to do anything because you don't see the point. Luckily for me, I was able to get myself back on track soon enough and I hope to help you do the same.
Focus on the positive
It sounds cliché to simply tell someone to focus on the positive things in their life and expect them to be happy. But if you spend more time focusing on the good rather than the bad, you'll be surprised how quickly your outlook on everything can change. At the beginning of each day, decide that only good things will be worth your time, and the bad things will simply be tossed to the side. At the end of each day, focus on the positive things that happened to you and don't give a second thought to the negative. Having a positive attitude will in turn make the people around you more happy, which will make you even happier. No one likes to be around a Grumpy Gus. In addition, do not spend your time dwelling on things that you have no control over or things you wish you could have done differently. The past can't be changed, so there is no point focusing on it. Focus on living in the present and making each moment you live worth living. You should make today count because you never know if you will have a tomorrow.
Surround yourself with the right people
The people around you are the biggest influences on your mood whether you like it or not. Do not surround yourself with friends or even family members who are constantly putting you down or negative. There's no way you can be happy if you let toxic people influence you. If there are people in your life you don't have the option of pushing out, such as coworkers or teachers, make sure you have a group of friends you can go back to for support when you need it most. Keeping busy and spending time with your favorite people is important because it doesn't allow you time by yourself to focus on the negative things happening in your life. Never underestimate the effect being nice can have on someone.
Bonus tip: PUPPIES
If you are just having a really rough time, go find some puppies to pet or look at pictures of the adorable hounds on the internet. It's scientifically proven by a very scientific source, my brain, that puppies make humans much happier.
These things are all easier said than done, I know. To be a happier person, you must be ready to make major changes in your life. But after you do them, you will feel much better about yourself. So after you're done looking at this picture of these super cute puppies, listen to this Bing Crosby song, and go out and make yourself a happier you.
