Four ways to become a happier person

Life can be a whirlwind. Most of us today are over-scheduled, over-worked and over-stressed, so it’s no surprise that taking care of our own happiness can sometimes fall to the wayside. If you need a reminder of all the good things life has to offer, try out our four tips for getting a little dose of “happy”:

1.        Be grateful –Send thank-you cards, which unfortunately seem to be a dying art. Sending hand-written thank-you notes even for little things will make you and the receiver feel good. Not sure what to say? We like this website, which will help you compose a gracious note in just a few minutes. Another spirit-boosting exercise is to list all the things you take for granted, such as being able to eat every day, a good friend or even your 52-inch plasma TV. Even try looking at your problems from the perspective of gratitude. If you’re having relationship troubles, consider the person who has never known what it’s like to love and be loved in return. Someone who is bald from chemotherapy would be grateful to have a bad hair day.

2.       “Just say no” to being around grumpy, cranky people –This goes back to what your mother may have warned you about growing up—“You are who you hang out with.” While this may not be completely true, if you surround yourself with crabby people you’re going to have a difficult time feeling upbeat, and vice-versa. We humans have a tendency to absorb others’ emotions, so try to make those emotions positive ones. It also helps to spoil yourself once in awhile as a reminder that life is good! Go on vacation, take yourself out for a nice dinner or take a day off work simply to relax.

3.       Spend some time doing something you’re really good at—Everybody has different natural aptitudes. Most people find deep pleasure when they can work within their strengths as a career or as a hobby. Do numbers fascinate you? Maybe you love the thrill of sales. Do you have a knack for writing? Or would you consider yourself a “people person”? Find out what you’re good at and look for ways to immerse yourself in something that enables you to use your talents. Then, if possible, delegate tasks that are a struggle for you to people who naturally enjoy doing them.

4.       Commit random acts of kindness every day—Here are a few fun, easy ideas:

• Put a couple quarters in someone else’s parking meter or pay for the car behind you at the toll booth
• Give the restaurant manager  a compliment about your server
• Mow the yard for a neighbor who is out of town or ill
• Give the coffee drive-thru attendant an extra five bucks to pay for the person behind you
• Smile and say “hello” to a stranger
• If you’re shopping on a busy Saturday, let another driver have your parking spot
• Acknowledge a co-worker’s talents. Telling someone “I admire how well you handle yourself around our customers,” or “You are amazing with numbers,” will make them feel great about themselves and what they have to offer the world.