How do you boost happiness in your life?

Too busy to think about it? Too rushed to enjoy blissful moments? Do you smile frequently? Laugh every day? How about doing things you truly enjoy -- how often does this occur?

If you answered yes to the first two questions but not to the next two, chances are good that you need to boost the happiness factor in your life. There is no denying that  happiness is a choice, lies in the eye of the beholder, and arrives at the doorstep of those who seek it. But have you also noticed that happy people see the glass as half full, not half empty? Happiness is as important for growth and development as clean water and good food. Without happiness in life, we risk lacking or limiting meaningful relationships, and an unfulfilled existence.

How do you boost happiness? Here are ten simple ways:

1. Take a long walk to absorb the beauty of nature . . . by yourself or with your spouse or friend. A walk in your neighborhood can be just as pleasurable as a walk on the beach -- it all rests in perspective.

2. Buy a card or small gift for someone who is not expecting it: your office manager, babysitter, mail person, janitor, a friend who has been feeling down lately. Nurturing a positive attitude of gratitude has been proven to boost self happiness.

3. Spoil yourself a little with an abbreviated chair massage. After a long day at work or school, a back and neck massage may be just what is needed to make it through the evening. Touch is essential to  happiness for many people. Perhaps your friend or loved one could trade massages with you.                                                                                                                                                  
4. Invest in your future: open a savings account on line with a better interest rate than is offered locally. Perhaps there are low-cost continuing education classes in your area that would interest you? Ask yourself what skills you would like to develop. Maybe you could barter services for lessons.

5. Contribute to an organization that embraces your ideals. Send a small donation or better yet, volunteer your time. The Internet has a treasure chest of ideas. Feel more connected to others with gifts that keeps on giving. Local agencies sometimes have on line newsletters that list needed items. Some local humane societies puts out a “wish list.”

6. Put $10 of gas in your car and travel somewhere. Challenge yourself to find something new and fun to do within the mileage limit you would have with this amount. If you don’t own a car, travel with someone who does, or walk, bike, or roller blade somewhere just to see some new scenery.

7. Spend time with your pet(s) or hang out with someone else’s. Pet owners know that being around a pet is a great reminder to live in the moment. Research proves repeatedly that the effect is calming, markedly reducing blood pressure and increasing a sense of well-being. When was the last time you bought your pet a new toy? Took them on a special walk? Socialized them with other animals? Recall memories with favorite pets from your childhood. Pets model unconditional love.

8. Tap into your top strengths by utilizing them in new ways. Visit a positive psychology website for the VIA signature strengths questionnaire, an on line tool that assesses your personal strengths. Psychologists find that using your strengths regularly and in new ways contributes to personal happiness. Increase your strengths to enhance your overall level of happiness.

9. Be a kid again -- an inexpensive yo-yo can send you back in time to happy memories of childhood. Go to a local toy store and get something that makes you feel young again, i.e., play-dough, Nerf balls, balloons, a slinky, matchbox cars, marbles, Twister, Operation, Silly Putty, coloring books, a kite, a fun book. Rent some comedies and have a movie night with friends, complete with popcorn and licorice.

10. Fill your house with flowers from a local farmer’s market. Colorful, fragrant flowers.                  

Boost your happiness daily.

    photographs and article copyright-protected                       © 2009 gabriella d filippi                 

More great reading on health and happiness: 
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-12104-Health-and-Happiness-Examiner~y2009m7d13-Happiness-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder

Visit another site (Rita Watson) on relationships: http://www.examiner.com/x-2108-Love-and-Marriage-Examiner