Five Ways to Be Happier

There’s a lot of science behind health and well-being and I write about it in this spot.

But it’s not enough to know the stuff, you’ve got to act on it. The science of happiness really comes down to doing the things that make you feel good. It’s not all that complicated, but it does require us to make a bit of an effort. Want to be happy, take action, get involved, open up to what life offers – the good and the bad. It’s there, waiting for you to step into it.

Here are five happy-making behaviors that you can do every day.

Five Things to Get You Out of a Funk

Hug. Touch quickly alters our bio-chemistry filling our bodies with feel-good chemicals that help us calm down, connect to others and feel better.

Laugh. Talk with a hilarious friend. Watch a funny clip on You-Tube, read a comical article. Find the trigger that makes you laugh and let er’ rip.

Give thanks. Simple. Still, you must make a habit of gratitude or it’s one of those little things you’ll forget to do. Start and end the day with thanks and spend the day looking for things to appreciate.

Go outside. Once a day – at least. Then breathe in the air. Notice the sounds or watch the winter chickadees squirt from the bush as you walk by. See the clouds. Be a part of your natural environment in at least one little way. This planet is amazing. You are part of it. That pretty much makes you amazing too. When we see our connection to all, we feel happier.

Eat dinner at the table. Sit down. Look at the people in your life. Listen to them. Chew your food slowly. Use good table manners. Give thanks for the food. Create an experience around your evening meal. A reverence. It’s a pick-me-up.

On Wednesday I’ll give you five more.  Then you’ll have 10 — see writers can do math.