Tip #1 Smile

Why it works:  Which comes first, the smile or the happiness? When people are happy they smile, but Charles Darwin first proposed the idea that it can also go the other way around in 1872 when he wrote, “The free expression by outward signs of an emotion intensifies it.”  Studies over the past hundred forty years have repeatedly confirmed his hypothesis.  Smiling stimulates a powerful chemical reaction in the brain which increases levels of dopamine and serotonin which can make you feel happier.  Smiling can literally trick your brain into happiness.  Even forcing a fake smile can legitimately reduce stress and lower your heart rate.

Try it:  Hold a smile for at least 60 seconds.  Do this in the morning when you wake up and any time throughout the day for a little “pick me up.”

, 5 Tips to Increase Happiness
 

Tip #2 Be Grateful

Why it works:  Neuroscience reveals that gratitude literally rewires your brain to be happier.  Your brain cannot easily focus on both positive and negative stimuli; gratitude directs the attention to the positive.  Furthermore, feelings of gratitude directly activate brain regions associated with the neurotransmitter dopamine, generally considered the “reward” neurotransmitter.

Try it:  Write a list of 10 things you’re grateful for or keep a daily gratitude journal.  Notice the beauty of a sunrise or sunset.  Thank your cashier or waiter by name.  Become aware of things that people do for you and thank them for it.

 

, 5 Tips to Increase Happiness
 

Tip #3 Pause and Be Present

Why it works:  A study at Yale University found that mindfulness mediation helps reduce ruminating and worrying about the past and future; and a study at Harvard showed that meditation reduces fear, anxiety and stress.

Try it:  Press your fingertips together with enough force to create a gentle resistive pressure.  Close your eyes and take five slow, deep breaths.

 

, 5 Tips to Increase Happiness

Tip #4 Move your body

Why it works:  Physical exercise can reduce or prevent depression and reduce stress.  According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise increases the brain’s production of feel-good neurotransmitters called endorphins.  It also improves your mood, increases self-confidence, improves focus, improves sleep quality, and promotes relaxation.

Try it:  Go for a walk, take the stairs, take a yoga class, play racquetball or basketball, ride a bike or go to the gym.

 

, 5 Tips to Increase Happiness

Tip #5 Service

Why it works:  Studies confirm that doing good makes you feel good.  Even a small act of kindness can increase the presence of the four primary chemicals in our brains that affect happiness:  dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins.   People who participate in meaningful activities are happier and feel more purpose in their lives.

Try it:  Perform a small act of kindness for a co-worker, family member or friend.  Donate to charity.  Let someone in line go in front of you.  Hold the door open for someone else to go through.  Leave money on a vending machine for someone.  Serve at a homeless shelter.  Pick up litter on the beach.  Give a stranger a compliment.  Make dinner for a family in need

Insert coins into someone’s parking meter.  Leave letters of encouragement on people’s cars.  Do a favor without asking for anything in return.  Send a birthday card.

, 5 Tips to Increase Happiness

How does worry and stress affect your health?

Worry and emotional stress can trigger a host of health problems. Including:

, 5 Tips to Increase Happiness

Hope for Healing Program

We empower people to upgrade the way that they think and feel.

The Hope for Healing Program is a simple, easy-to-follow system that can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety; relieve stress; build confidence and self-esteem; and heal relationships.

, 5 Tips to Increase Happiness

Emotional First Aid Kit

An emotional first aid kit can provide an immediate, although temporary, positive effect on the way we think and feel.  Having an emotional first aid kit readily available can help people who are struggling with symptoms of depression, anxiety, low self esteem, or other mental and emotional issues.  

, 5 Tips to Increase Happiness

Help us spread the word

There are so many people in the world who are in need of hope and healing.  Please help us spread the word by sharing links and articles on social media.  Also sign up on our mailing list or add this page to your bookmark bar.  Thanks for making the world a better place!

5 minutes to transform your life

5 minutes that will change your lifeWatch this short video on how to transform your life in just 5 minutes, or scroll down to read how to improve your life in 5 minutes.  Learn fun and easy ways to increase "feel good" chemicals and decrease "stress" chemicals so you...

17 Simple Ways to Relieve Worry, Stress, and Anxiety

17 Simple Ways to Relieve Worry, Stress, and Anxiety Worry, stress and anxiety can trigger a host of health problems, but there are things we can do to overcome the feelings of worry, stress, and anxiety.  Here are 17 simple ways to relieve worry, stress, and...

How does worry and stress affect your health?

You Got This! Am I good enough?  How do I stop worrying about my kids?  How do I forgive myself?  All these questions and more are answered in "You Got This!" "You Got This!" is a thoroughly researched, easy-to-read, well-designed action plan to calm feelings of fear,...

Emotional first aid kit

What is an emotional first aid kit? An emotional first aid kit is simply a list of emotional wellness tools that can provide an immediate, although temporary, positive effect on the way we think and feel.  Having an emotional first aid kit readily available can...

The secret to confidence and self esteem

What is the secret to confidence and self esteem? Why is it that some people seem to have all the luck? Brimming with confidence, happiness and success they have a strong sense of love and belonging while other people, no matter how hard they try, are always wondering...

You are good enough

Heal your life from the inside outLearn how to love and accept yourself exactly as you are today.  Learn how to eliminate negative self talk.  Learn how to reprogram your subconscious mind to eliminate self limiting beliefs and self sabotage.  Learn how to release the...

10 tips to overcome depression

Tips to help overcome depression If you're looking for practical tips to overcome depression, you've come to the right place.  Learn what you can do yourself to overcome depression and anxiety naturally, without medication.  Enjoy a free video series with useful...

EFT tapping can be an effective stress relief tool

EFT tapping can be an effective stress management tool Another tool we can use to release negative emotions is called EFT tapping.  EFT stands for emotional freedom technique.  It’s a form of acupressure that helps release stress and negative energy.  EFT tapping...

What is the stress response?

What is the "stress response" and how does it affect my health? The stress response is the body's survival mechanism and is activated when we feel stressed, worried, fearful, anxious, etc.  Our thoughts and feelings signal the body to produce cortisol, which is a...

Emotional resilience 101 – Practical tips to feel happier and less stressed

Emotional resilience 101 - Free video seriesEmotional resilience 101 is the ultimate guide to feel happier, overcome depression, manage stress and more.  Stick with me for all 5 video lessons to achieve astonishing results with minimal effort.  Learn natural ways to...

How are nutrition and depression connected?

How are nutrition and depression connected? Nutritional deficiencies can cause depression.  Our bodies and brains function better when they receive all the necessary nutrients. For example, a deficiency in vitamin B has been shown to cause depression (this is just one...

How does gut health affect depression?

How does "gut health" affect depression? Gut health is critical to the production of "feel good" chemicals.  Also the gut is the place where our bodies absorb nutrients, and a nutrient deficiency can cause depression.  Our mental, emotional and physical health and...

Linda’s Corner Podcast – personal development and self improvement

Linda's Corner Podcast - personal development and self improvementWelcome to Linda's Corner. Personal development and self improvement.  These episodes of Linda's Corner Podcast will help you become your best self.  Linda's Corner is a top rated podcast that...

Linda’s Corner Podcast – happiness and humor

Linda's Corner Podcast - happiness and humorWelcome to Linda's Corner. Are you ready to be happier, healthier, and more successful? Linda's Corner is a top rated podcast that motivates, encourages, and empowers people to live a joyful, abundant life. Listen on Apple...

Linda’s Corner Podcast – mental and emotional health

Linda's Corner Podcast - mental and emotional health; overcoming depressionWelcome to Linda's Corner. Mental and emotional health is important for our happiness and well being.  If you're struggling with depression, anxiety, bipolar, low self worth, low self...

Linda’s Corner Podcast – self love and self care

Linda's Corner Podcast - self love and self careWelcome to Linda's Corner. Linda's Corner Podcast episodes on self love and self care.  Learning to love and accept yourself is the foundation of confidence and self esteem.  Linda's Corner is a top rated podcast that...

Linda’s Corner Podcast – mindset, mindfulness and positive thinking

Linda's Corner Podcast - mindset, mindfulness, and positive thinkingWelcome to Linda's Corner. Mindset, mindfulness, and positive thinking episodes on Linda's Corner Podcast.  To live mindfully is to live in the moment and reawaken oneself to the present, rather than...