by Loralie Lynn

Created on: March 30, 2010

Happiness and health come easily to some, for others it's a task. The key to being happier and healthier is knowing what you have and appreciating every little detail that makes your life what it has become. Simple things can bring happiness and that happiness can in turn bring you a healthier more enhanced emotional/mental state. You just have to open your eyes and see them.

Make a list of all the great things you have in your life at this moment. It could be your family, your partner, a great job, a nice house...or whatever it is that your thankful for. Keep this list with you. Look at it everyday and realize how lucky you are to have such happy things in your life.

Smile...as much as possible. Smiling instantly brings happiness and good health, even if you are in a bad mood. It's impossible to be upset when you smile. Find something that makes you laugh like a picture, something a friend said, or a joke. Happy thoughts and places make you feel good.

Be around happy people. Spending time around those that are happy will instantly uplift your mood. It's tough to be upset or angry around those that are optimistic and happy with their lives. Negative people tend to bring us down and force us to focus on the bad rather than the good. Happy people radiate good energy and transfer that to others.  This happiness can bring about a greater healthier you.

Feel optimistic. Know that things in your life are good and if they aren't, then know that they are going to get better. Truly believe that. Picture how your life is going to be by thinking about the things that you want and really feeling that you have them. Optimism is a great way to create a happier you because you'll always be thinking good thoughts rather than bad and in doing so, you'll pull good things to you.

Pamper yourself to increase happiness. Buy yourself nice things or just indulge yourself in something you deserve like a massage, bubble bath, or dinner and a movie. Doing something nice for yourself will instantly make you happy. Even if it is something small.

Do something kind for another person. Happiness can also come from the fulfillment of doing a kind act for someone else. Donate clothes to a thrift store and know you helped another person. Offer help to a senior citizen who cannot help themselves. Volunteer your time at a homeless shelter. Whatever you do...do it for someone else and you'll feel happier within yourself.

Helpful Tip:

* Happiness is a mind set...you have to appreciate what you have before you can want more or you'll never be happy with anything...when you feel happier, you'll generally feel healthier as well.

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