How to be happy.

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Smile (a lot).

Smiling causes our brains to think we're happy.

It is the easiest thing we can do to be happy each and every day.

Exercise.

Regular exercise keeps the blood flowing, our bodies strong and healthy, and looking great.

It also helps reduce anxiety, stress, and depression.

Smile and Exercise. You're literally halfway there.

Breathe (deep).

Deep breaths instantly calm us. Relax us.

Use your nose. Breath in through your nose, and out through either nose or mouth.

Count to 5 for each breath.

Understand "enough".

Our culture of more leaves many of us always wanting more.

Scarcity mindsets kill our happiness.
Abundance mindsets make us happier.

Develop hobbies.

You should never be bored. Boredom makes us lazy.

Have hobbies. Pursue your passions.

Hint: Don't make your passion your job. If you do, it may no longer be your passion.

Compliment someone.

Nothing makes us happier than when we make someone else happy.

Every day, give a sincere compliment to someone. A coworker. Your spouse. Your kids. Whatever.

Eat consciously.

Carbs release serotonin, a chemical that helps us to feel good.
Meats and legumes contain protein, providing energy and concentration.

Junk food's temporary dopamine hit gets replaced with lethargy. Guilt.

Say no.

Balance is key. Saying no to things that are not right for us prioritizes our needs over the expectations of other people.

Other people's expectations will never make us happier.

But, putting ourselves first will.

You're not a victim.

Victims believe the world is out to get them. Victims assume the worst.

You're not a victim. You're a player.

You cannot win if you don't play.

Sleep.

Sleep directly impacts our energy, emotional well-being. Even our brain functions.

Nothing good happens late at night. Use that time to rest.

Sleep will make you happy.

Get outside.

Fresh air puts a smile on our faces. Smiling makes us happy.

Just 20 minutes a day can make a drastic improvement on our mood and overall level of happiness.

Meditate.

Without fail, quiet time helps. It clears our minds. Lets us calm down.

Meditation doesn't mean sitting cross-legged. It looks different for all of us. Walking. Music. Even driving.

Close your phone.

Disconnecting from technology helps us appreciate nature. It also gives us more time to pursue hobbies.

When we live and die by the "Like", we will never be happy.

See family and friends.

Time with the ones we love instantly improves our mood. Helps us focus on light-hearted things. Stay positive.

Spend time with friends and family every day.

Turn of the news.

The news is designed around negativity. The sky isn't falling. We all are not going to die tomorrow. Things will be okay.

Turn the news off and replace it with something better.

Volunteer.

Devoting our time to causes we care about makes us happier people, and that's backed by all kinds of research.

Volunteering reduces depression, one of the most common mental illnesses in the world.

Unfollow negativity.

Ditch negative friends. Unfollow profiles on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram that don't add positive value to your life.

Curate your exposure to other people. Only pick the best.

Get away.

Different surroundings give our brains something new to focus on. It breaks the monotony of daily life.

Even just planning a vacation can boost happiness through released endorphins.

Ignore the uncontrollable.

If you cannot control it, don't let it control you. Move on. Focus on things within your control.

Dark chocolate.

Wait, what?

Yep. Dark chocolate has been shown to reduce stress, improve blood flow, and a good source of antioxidants.

Add a reasonable serving of dark chocolate into your diet.