37 Secrets To A Happier Life

From owning a pet (especially a dog) to wearing sunglasses, these small habits can boost your mood—and your well-being

- Stacy Lee Kong

There are plenty of reasons to seek happiness. Research has shown that arthritis patients who think positive are able to take more daily steps than their unhappy counterparts. Merry people tend to avoid getting sick during flu season, and they even live longer. Plus, experiencing joy just feels good. Try these 37 small, surprising ways to beat the blues.

DO THINGS THAT GIVE YOUR LIFE MEANING

1. Keep a diary—and reread it from time to time. According to a 2014 study in Psychological Science, writing in a journal can make people happy, even if the entries are mundane. We tend to forget the little things in life that bring us pleasure, but documenting those ordinary moments allows us to rediscover them.

2 Director and head of Max Hospital's mental health and behavioural sciences department in New Delhi, Dr Sameer Malhotra recommends taking up a hobby that allows for ‘me’ time. “A creative and constructive hobby that aligns with your interests provides positive reinforcement. It acts like an internal reward system for having created or done something positive. It also forces you to take time out to prioritize yourself. Music, painting, volunteering are just a few examples.” Bonus points if it’s something you’re not good at—say, stand-up comedy, making chocolate, balloon animals or joining a choir—even if you’re not an accomplished singer. That’s because we’re happier when we’re learning and connecting with other people.

3 Forgive (even if you can’t forget). Holding a grudge is stressful and can make you feel angry, sad, anxious and out of control. But forgiving someone who has hurt you doesn’t cause negative emotions at all.