Maintain A Positive Attitude

There are many things you could list when it comes to the subject of how to be happy. However, maintaining a positive attitude is the key to preserving it.

Sometimes that can be a challenge, I know. It’s not always easy to put on a happy face. That’s the reality of life. This is why practicing simple, quick, and easy ways to ground yourself in positivity is so important for your emotional well-being.

Turn Up The Music

Listening to music is a very common method people use to maintain a positive frame of mind. Music has been used successfully as therapy since the 1800s.

I’ve always used music as therapy, myself. I listen to meditation music when I meditate, need calm, or I have to concentrate.

I created a playlist of “happy” songs that I listen to whenever I need a quick pick-me-up. It works like a charm. As a matter of fact, it works so well for me that I’ve hooked it up to my website for all of you. You can listen right now by going to the Music Page or using the player on the right side of this page.

Sing It — Loud And Proud!

How many of you out there can honestly say you don’t sing along to your favorite song? Oh, come on — you don’t even hum? Yeah, I thought so. It feels so good to sing to the music. I always tell people to “sing it — loud and proud!” I don’t care if they have a good singing voice or not. This isn’t a contest. I just want people to feel happy inside and have self-confidence.

Dance to the Music

Okay now, the music’s on and you’re singing. So, you might as well give in to that feeling you have to get up and dance! Relax your body and let it move to the music. Don’t think about it, just do it. Release those happy hormones!

Have you ever seen that person at the stop light – you know the one – singing and dancing in her car like she just doesn’t care? Yeah?! That was me!

Exercise – Get Your Body Moving

A body in motion stays in motion and you can be happy doing it.

Walk, run, do yoga, do Pilates, dance, go to the gym, or play sports. Those are only a handful of ways you can work your muscles and raise your Endorphins. Do it with a friend and your Oxytocin level will go up. Lose a pound and your Serotonin levels will jump. Challenge yourself, meet a new goal, and Dopamine will pump through your system.

That’s why exercise makes us feel good.

Go Outside

Remember when we were kids and our moms would send us outside for some sunshine and fresh air? They were right to do so.

The sun and fresh air are healthy for our minds and bodies. Just be sure to wear sunscreen to avoid getting overexposed.

Bask In the Sun

When those warm rays of the sun shine down on us, it’s feeding our body Vitamin D, which strengthens our bones and acts as an anti-inflammatory.

According to the National Cancer Institute, higher vitamin D levels have been consistently associated with reduced risks of colorectal cancer and, to a lesser extent, bladder cancer.

The sun also releases Nitric Oxide, which lowers our blood pressure. That makes me happy.

When it pertains to happiness, the sun raises our Serotonin levels, helping to fend off depression and anxiety. A lack of sunlight is related to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Light therapy has been used to treat SAD when not enough sunlight is available. Sunlight has a direct effect on our mental health.

Serotonin also makes us more confident. Thank goodness, because sunny days are bathing suit days and I could use all the serotonin I can get then.

Take A Deep Breath In

Fresh air raises the amount of oxygen our brain intakes. This, in turn, raises our Serotonin levels. Conversely, air pollution has a negative effect on our mental health.

Past research has associated air pollution with higher levels of stress, psychological distress, increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s and depression. Other research has linked short-term exposure to peaks in air pollution with an increased risk of death among people with serious mental illness.

American Psychiatric Association

Fresh air sharpens your mind. Oxygen is fuel for the brain. Because it’s receiving more oxygen, it’s working “on all cylinders”, so to speak. You’re more productive and energetic. You’re quicker to think and more creative.

Because fresh air raises your Serotonin levels, you will be in a better mood and more likely to have a good night’s sleep.

Getting sunshine and fresh air is a simple way to improve your mood and your health!

Pay It Forward

Kindness is an important factor in sustaining happiness. All the “happy chemicals” have the possibility of increasing from performing a kind act.

You may have heard the old sayings,

• “It’s better to give than to receive”
• “Do unto others as you would have done unto you”
• “Kindness begets kindness”
• “We rise by lifting others”

Well, that is the truth. When you give you receive. It’s a win-win.

Whether you give a gift, volunteer your time, do somebody a favor, lend an ear, or perform an anonymous task, you feel good inside — you feel happy. See, you give of yourself and your body rewards you back with the feeling of happiness.

If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.

Booker T. Washington

Remember the movie “Pay It Forward”? I loved it because that’s what the message was about. Maybe if we all try to do just one good deed a day, no matter how small, it would make the world a kinder place.

And don’t forget to be kind to yourself. If you need a quick pick-me-up, give yourself a good squeege (big bear hug). It absolutely works to release oxytocin into the body.

Learn How To Laugh

Laughter is extremely beneficial to the mind and body. It’s pretty obvious to us anyway that laughing feels great. Who doesn’t like to watch a funny movie or scroll through some funny meme’s on the internet. And who couldn’t giggle along when a baby laughs.

There are therapies and exercises that involve laughter. No joke! That’s how beneficial it is.

Spontaneous, genuine laughter is the healthiest laughter. It releases Dopamine into our body which give us energy and makes us feel excited. It releases Endorphins which give us a feeling of euphoria. And, it raises our levels of Oxytocin, the friendship and bonding hormone, which is also one of the reason’s why laughter is contagious.

Given all of that, it’s no wonder that laughter makes us happy.

Cry If You Need To Cry

Sometimes we just need a good cry and that’s okay. Things happen. There are stressors in our lives that can weigh us down and that’s perfectly normal. When it gets to the point that it emotionally touches us, we cry. It’s a relief of the burden — your body’s way of self-soothing. That feeling of relief is because your body releases oxytocin and endorphins into your system. This eases the pain no matter whether it’s physical or emotional. It also reigns in your emotions and gives you a feeling of peace.

Bonus points if you’re sobbing, believe it or not. When you do, you take in larger amount of air which means more oxygen to the brain. More oxygen to the brain means what? More Serotonin. So go ahead and cry your eyes out. It’ll do you good.

However, if you are so depressed that you can’t stop crying, this is not good. Please seek help or talk to your doctor. There are hundreds of contact options to choose from on our Resources and Support page. So, don’t ever feel like you’re alone.

Maintain Relationships

Maintaining your relationships is a key component of good mental health. Isolation, loneliness, and seclusion are detrimental to your psyche. Humans are social creatures by nature. We literally need each other for community, validation, and support. It makes us physically and mentally healthier to have active relationships with people.

When you are communicating with someone in a positive manner, you release Oxytocin. The chemical for love, friendship, affection, and bonding. That’s why it feels so good to be around family. That natural bond and sense of community are strong with your family.

You can feel that way with friends, as well. A pleasant conversation, followed by a hug goodbye boosts your Oxytocin.

I want that! I crave affection. I like to hold hands and cuddle on the couch. And uh yes, please. Bring it in! I’m a hugger, man. I love my squeeges (big ‘ole bear hugs).

Just putting your arm around someone can give them a boost of Oxytocin. It could mean a lot to someone experiencing depression or anxiety. You could make a difference in their life that day.

Stay close to your loved ones. Show them that they’re more than just relatives, they’re family. Get in touch with an old friend or make a new one. I’m in the South so I have no problem starting a conversation with someone in line. It’s just a Stranger Friend (A Friend I Haven’t Met Yet). And I truly feel the happiness go through me every time.

Do Things That Make You Happy

Basically, the bottom line is to do the things that make you fulfilled, confident, and strong. Happiness isn’t “one size fits all”. You do you.

I’m just here to throw some ideas around and let you know that somebody is looking out for you.

In case you missed it: Happy Feels Good, Part 1 – What Is Happiness?