20 ways to a happier you

Here are 20 simple and straightforward practices that will put you on the road to happiness: 1. Smile Frequently: Studies also show that when we smile, we feel better and can actually make us feel better and help us to see the lighter side of things. A cheerful heart does good like a medicine. 2. Be Content: Happiness has little to do with what we possess materially. Contentment comes from enjoying life as we live it – even the little inconveniences we meet every day. Godliness with contentment is great gain. See what you have, not what you lack. 3. Live In The Present: Do not dwell on past problems – or let your mind linger on how the other person was nasty to you. Stop worrying about future concerns in your life. Such thoughts leave us anxious and frustrated, and depressed. They take our minds off whatever we are doing and do not let us enjoy the present. Forget the past and reach forward to what is ahead. 4. Plan Things You Can Look Forward To: Don’t get stuck in the routine. Do some new and interesting things so you won’t get bored. Maybe you can surprise your spouse with a tasty candlelight dinner one evening. Or go out with your friends for a picnic. 5. Don't Try To Compete With Your Neighbors: Sometimes we have this habit of comparing ourselves with other people and their status or compare our accomplishments with others. Jealousy hurts, angers, depresses, builds up stress, and leaves us feeling inadequate and inferior. 6. We Are What We Are: Learn to accept yourself. God made you everyone with unique strengths and challenges. Identify yours, set your goals for fulfilling your dreams, and get going. 7. It Is As It Is: There are things you can’t do anything about. A mistake has been made, the plan has been delayed, something has been broken and you cannot change it. All you can do is: accept it and go on with life. Optimism means turning something that seems all bad into something good – it’s knowing all things will work out for good somehow. 8. Don't Procrastinate: When we keep jobs pending, we live under stress. 9. Keep Things In Perspective: Whether it is being late for a meeting, a messy room, garbage thrown by the neighbors, a traffic jam, we usually tend to overreact. We yell and may damage our relationship with our helper, our colleague, our neighbor, or anyone else involved. So, accept life's quirks as they come, put things in perspective and become happier. 10. Take Out Time For Yourself: Being alone gives us a chance to think quietly. Take time out to talk with God everyday. It enables us to be at peace with ourselves and makes us happier. 11. Create a peaceful environment: When we live and work in a properly arranged environment, it is much easier to develop and maintain a positive attitude. 12. Be Less Reactive. Anger makes it impossible for you to think rationally. 13. Bring Humor Into Your Life. Share jokes with your family, watch a humorous film, and tell your colleagues funny incidents. 14. Accept People As They Are. Do accept people as they are. Once others see your unconditional love for them, they will try their best to do things that will please you. 15. Be Grateful: Let people know that you genuinely appreciate all that they do for you. Gratitude will enable you to appreciate, rather than struggle. 16. Stop Blaming Others: 17. Make Someone Else's Day Happier. Everyday, resolve to so at least one thing that will make someone else happy. These little unnoticed acts of kindness, will make you feel good inside. 18. Tell Your Family And Friends That You Love Them. Say what you feel to your loved ones and you will be filled with an inner peace and confidence on hearing them say the same words to you. 19. Keep A Diary: Keep a diary and pen with you. Make a habit of writing down all the good things that happen to you during the day. The positive feeling comes back whenever we revisit happy moments through our diary. 20. Get In Touch With Old Friends:Meeting dear old ones de-stresses us and makes up for all irritants and setbacks in our life.