The most important component of success, is a successful attitude. Duh! And a successful attitude starts with being happy. So, let’s get you happy fast. No pictures, no be preamble, just 199 tips on how to get happy fast. I mean really fast! Are you happy yet?
1. Dads Take Notice
How To Get Happy Fast: Have a dad’s day out with your kid. Nothing makes me happier or brightens up my mood more…
How To Get Happy Fast: Stand on your desk & dance (probably only works if you have a private office). The sheer fun of going against societal norms and feeling the joy of the music turns it around fast. Of course, if other people see you they may end up laughing as well. Now more people are getting happy, fast! Thanks To: Teajai Kimsey of IdeasThatWork.net
3. Fresh Air
How To Get Happy Fast: Take a walk! The fresh air helps me clear my head and it gets me out of my office. Sometimes a break from the screen and phone help me remember why I work in the first place and help me prioritize what’s most important and get to work!
How To Get Happy Fast: Our feelings follow our thoughts. Listen to what you’re saying in your head. If you can change your thoughts to be more positive, your mood will lift, too.
How To Get Happy Fast: When feeling down I listen to my favorite song… Turn the speakers up really loud. Nothing works better than this to get me in a happy mood and motivated to get back to work.
How To Get Happy Fast: Go for a walk, taking special care to focus on your present surroundings. Don’t try to work out the problem, and if you find yourself drifting thoughts back to issues, quickly get back on track. Notice the birds, the sidewalk, the cars, the street signs … and don’t deviate from that. When you begin a series of yawns, you’re not getting sleepy, you’re becoming less stressed out. Repeat as needed.
How To Get Happy Fast: The one thing I do when I feel down is read a chapter from my book for a quick fix — The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, that gets me back in a good mood every time.
How To Get Happy Fast: Get out of the house/office, and do something that is not related to what you do for a living. Taking a physical/mental vacation for a couple of hours can bring a new perspective to things!
How To Get Happy Fast: Dance! When feeling down nothing is better than shaking your thang to your favorite tunes. Dancing is good for the soul! From bellydancin’ to hip hop and everything in between before you know it you’ll be smiling!
How To Get Happy Fast: Donate your time, money, effort, good/services, laughs and smiles to someone or something who needs it. You will instantly feel like a part of something bigger than yourself.
How To Get Happy Fast: Go for a walk anywhere near water; be it a lake, river, creek or pond. I’m fortunate enough to live near a large lake and can walk out to the point and watch the ducks and other waterfowl. In spring especially, this brings a smile to my face as the mother duck teaches her ducklings how to fish and how to behave!
How To Get Happy Fast: It’s a great idea to indulge yourself in something out of the blue’…just hop into the kitchen, look up what you have in your fridge..hunt down some recipes on the net. And then just go full out in the kitchen experimenting. After you have your dish prepared, Have it… share it and enjoy the fun!!!
How To Get Happy Fast: When feeling down, I walk outside to my urban chickens, throw them some food and watch them get to work. Can’t help smiling when I watch the chickens bump each other for a few grains or, their fave, mango peels!
How To Get Happy Fast: Watch the news or read the paper – it’s unfortunately always filled with bad news. No matter how down things are, there’s always 90% of the population who has it much worse. They don’t even get the opportunity to do the things you do. It gives you an appreciation for how lucky you are and to make the most of the opportunities you’ve been given.
How To Get Happy Fast: Extend a hand. Help someone make a connection, solve a problem, brainstorm, or do an errand. Helping others is always a great way to boost positive feelings.
How To Get Happy Fast: When things feel stagnant (which leads to the blues), I brush off my ‘to do’ list and start exploring some of the resources I’ve noted; but haven’t had the time to peruse. It makes me feel as if I’m moving forward because I always learn something I can put into use immediately; thereby being proactive.
How To Get Happy Fast: Count your blessings. When you start thinking about all of the things going right in life you have a tendency to forget why you were down in the first place!
How To Get Happy Fast: I woke up! When I am feeling down, or other people are complaining, I just think to myself, or tell them: You know what, a lot of people did not wake up today, and I(You did), so I am thankful, and it turns my mood around
How To Get Happy Fast: Get some Vitamin D! When I’m feeling down or frustrated, I take a break and sit outside in the sunshine for a bit. Whenever I can, I take my laptop outside and work from there. It’s especially effective this time of year in South Florida, and it really lifts my mood.
How To Get Happy Fast: Laugh at something. Most people think your behavior follows from your feelings. I think just the opposite — your feelings follow your behavior. If you act like you are happy, pretty soon you will feel that way.
How To Get Happy Fast: Listen to great music in the car! When feeling down there is nothing better than turning on your favorite music, in the car or at the gym with your ipod. It’s that easy and after hearing a few of your favorite tunes, you will be feeling great all over.
How To Get Happy Fast: BREATHE! It’s amazing what a little oxygen will do to your brain! If you’re sitting at your desk, close your eyes and visualize your favorite place or person, sit up straight, slowly take a very deep breath (come on – fill those lungs!), and release. If you’re driving, please don’t close your eyes!
How To Get Happy Fast: Literally, I run around my house/office screaming silly, hands in the air, kids in tow, Ahhhhhhh! Nothing feels sillier than the end of the world in action.
How To Get Happy Fast: Do a double feature: Watch Steel Magnolias (or any other tear jerker movie). Get it all out, cry for no reason (or for all the reasons you won’t admit). The physical release will ease away a lot of the tension and you’ll feel better already. Now top that off with George of the Jungle (the Brendon Frasier in a loincloth version) or any other wet your pants funny with eye candy comedy (Yes, it can be There’s Something About Mary). The idea is something lighthearted and fun. After your double feature you’ll be surprised how things that once could ruin your day just roll right off your back.
How To Get Happy Fast: Take a quick inventory of what little things you do each day to get happy and you’ll immediately think of more than one, and THAT will make you instantly happier.
How To Get Happy Fast: I gave up my Thursday afternoon golf game for a whole summer, instead volunteering for a different non-profit agency 1/2 day every week. The local United Way helped me coordinate my visits. I stuffed envelopes, painted houses, did home visits, built wheel chair ramps and so much more. Every week I looked forward to my Thursday’s – it energized me and connected me to my community.
How To Get Happy Fast: Go to the gym! Working out and exercising is scientifically proven to improve your state of mind and can revive your entrepreneurial spirit quick!
How To Get Happy Fast: Nothing drags down your attitude like being overwhelmed. Take a look at that long list of unfinished projects and make some decisions. Some should be killed right then and there. Put a fork in those, take ‘em off the list, and feel better instantly!
How To Get Happy Fast: Play with your dog! Exercise and time spent with pets are proven ways to reduce stress – so why not combine them? A brisk walk, a nice jog or even just a quick game of fetch will clear the mind, exercise your dog and strengthen your relationship.
How To Get Happy Fast: If you need to get yourself out of a funk, take a drive and pop in your favorite self improvement cd. I prefer Bryan Dodge–he really gets you thinking about inspiring others and not focusing on yourself. Remember…someone always has bigger problems than you!
Thanks To:Jocelyn Wiebe, Independent Business Owner, AmeriPlan
How To Get Happy Fast: Thinking about past successes. This economy can really drain you mentally. Thinking about all you have accomplished, for instance being an entrepreneur, and the successes that have resulted should immediately make you smile and feel positive. A lot of people would love to own their own business, or have been working for years dreaming of starting one, but never do. Just the thought of what I have done and accomplished so far makes me happy and gives me light at the end of the tunnel of the success that is yet to come.
How To Get Happy Fast: Outsource the pesky stuff! By outsourcing the day to day tasks you find boring you’ll free up freetime to push your business to new heights or just play!
How To Get Happy Fast: A gratitude journal! The moment I started a gratitude journal, my whole perspective on life changed. Now I note things throughout the day that I want to put in my journal…and I am not even a journal keeper by nature. This is the one thing that has changed my whole perspective for the better and has kept me focused on the important things in life.
How To Get Happy Fast: Make an I DID it list instead of the traditional To Do list. Seeing all the things you have accomplished helps motivate you to do more and makes you feel better about yourself.
How To Get Happy Fast: Look at pictures of family, friends – anyone that makesyou feel good and/or inspires you. Post the pictures at eye level on the wall behind your computer so that they’renot hidden/obscured by items on your desk. These pictureswill remind you what’s really important in your life (besidesbeing an entrepreneur)!
How To Get Happy Fast: The best way to overcome the down emotions that come along with a recession is to stop watching the news and reading newspapers. Make sure that you’ve taken care of your personal and business finances to the best of your ability and then, for the time being, forget about it. There are some things one can control–for example how much time one spends on new business development–and things one cannot control–like the economy. Spend time focusing on areas where you can make an impact. Let go of the rest.
How To Get Happy Fast: Roll down all the windows in your car, blast your favorite song, and dance and sing at the top of your lungs as you drive around. There’s nothing better than an awesome jam session to forget the everything else and to just feel on top of the world.
How To Get Happy Fast: Run up to an ice cream truck with a pocket full of change like a kid and order the most childish ice cream possible like a SpongeBob Popsicle or Ninja Turtle or Dora the Explora. While you are trying to eat the Popsicle before it melts you get a few minutes to re live your carefree childhood where the biggest problem in your life was to explain to your mom how all the ice cream ended up on your shirt and not in your belly
How To Get Happy Fast: Each morning write down EVERYTHING you are blessed to have or thankful for. When you focus on what is positive in your life it starts your day off FANTASTIC. When things are not going so hot, go back to that list and read it over and over again, heck post it above your computer if you need it as a gentle reminder that LIFE IS GREAT! Mine is on my vision board that I look at all day long!
How To Get Happy Fast: Chocolate! There’s nothing better than a piece of rich, ultra-dark chocolate to make me smile! It tastes delicious, stimulates endorphins and contains serotonin – talk about a quick fix to get happy!
How To Get Happy Fast: Hug your child and tell them specifically why they’re so fabulous.
Nothing beats telling someone else why you think they’re terrific; it shifts the focus from what’s making you feel down to something positive. The added bonus is that you’re investing in your child’s positive self-esteem!
How To Get Happy Fast: List Five Great Things In Your Business Life! Everyone gets down now and then but by taking stock of all the GREAT things in your business, that frown will quickly turn around. List off five fantastic things you’re thankful for – my list right now would include the incredible group of workers I have in my company, the talented vendors I work with, my successful round of press interviews in New York last month, the wonderful clients I have and the incredible feedback I’ve received just this week from thrilled clients. This quick exercise not only boosts the confidence but revisits all the positive things you’re doing – and don’t be surprised if you are inspired to implement some new strategies to bring more great things into your biz!
How To Get Happy Fast: Connect with Nature! I find that when I am down a quick stroll in my back yard or park or trail and really just focus on nature and the beauty, complexity and yet simplicity of nature is powerful enough to brighten anyone’s day.
How To Get Happy Fast: Go shopping! Retail therapy is a great pick me up and with internet shopping there are thousands of options are available at your fingertips 24/7!! Its always a bonus when free shipping is included.
How To Get Happy Fast: Dance. Put on your favorite high-energy oldies hit and dance around like you were young again. Just doing
one song will immediately get your energy pumping you
up and put a big smile on your face.
How To Get Happy Fast: Support a local team (especially lesser-known Triple A or minor league team) by painting your face, making a sign,
and going out to a game. You’ll be surrounded by cheering fans
and can’t be down.
How To Get Happy Fast: Build something out of Legos! Sometimes you just need to take your mind off of things and nothing is more distracting than a box of Legos. When you’ve finally finished, the feeling of accomplishment will motivate you take action in some other part of your life or business.
How To Get Happy Fast: Set your sights on a smaller goal. Whenever I feel like I need a quick lift, it’s usually because I feel I haven’t had a “business success” in a while, and not moving forward as much as anticipated. I successfully battle that feeling by doing something small I’ve been putting off like sending an email to a potential client, or improving my newsletter format, anything little to give me an immediate feeling of progressing ahead again.
How To Get Happy Fast: I imagine I am breathing in sunshine. I stop and close my eyes, even if I’m walking down the street (obviously I have an awareness of my surroundings before doing this!) and then I literally feel as though I’m feeling my lungs with the warmth and glow of the sun. With my eyes closed I also see the golden color and I feel the warmth around me. This makes me feel relaxed because I find I breathe deeply and I feel myself smiling as I feel the sun on my body.
How To Get Happy Fast: Yoga – Have an instructor come to your office once a week. It gives you a scheduled break and permission to take your mind off of everything but yourself for an hour. During the ohm visualize where you want your business to be then start planning to make it happen.
How To Get Happy Fast: I keep things that make me smile on my desk. Like a picture of my son and copies of testimonials my customers have given me. That way, when things aren’t going so well, I just have to look to “Inspiration corner” to turn that frown upside down.
How To Get Happy Fast: Whether you have just a few pots on a balcony, or a full yard of plants, – pull a few weeds, plant some seeds. If you don’t have a garden at all, go buy an inexpensive bouquet of flowers or plant to to put near your desk.
Thanks To: Dorothy Fest, PiggyBack Books, Inc – Empowering Children as Authors and Entrepreneurs
55. Ha Ha Ha
How To Get Happy Fast: Head to youtube.com (or the like) and treat yourself to a 5 minute comedy break. Indulge your funny bone! Find your favorite comedian, silliest movie scene or sitcom, sit back and escape for a few minutes. You’ll end up smiling before you can say “did you hear the one about the..”
How To Get Happy Fast: Put down technology, and play with the kids. Nothing makes me more happy than seeing my kids having fun. It also reminds me why I do what I do, to provide an example for my kids.
How To Get Happy Fast: Hug someone! I’m not talking the polite half-pat, half-hug. A full bear hug, with both arms wrapped tight. Just make sure the person (or persons – group hugs are great!) knows it’s coming and will likely hug you back. If no one’s around, hug yourself.
How To Get Happy Fast: Stop and savor the moment. Even in dark times, there is so much to be grateful right now for if you look for it. At this very moment, everything is usually OK—it’s when you worry about the future or obsess about the past that things seem worse. Live in the moment, and things look much brighter!
How To Get Happy Fast: Talk to a close friend (or spouse) about your business. Brainstorm, dream and put goals in place for the future.
Focus on the next steps you can take and then immediately afterward take those steps. You’ll be encouraged, you’ll have new ideas, goals will be set and you’ll feel ready to move forward.
How To Get Happy Fast: In these down times, why not give away your product or service to someone who could not afford it? At book fairs, I’ll offer a copy of my workbook, Teach Your Child the Multiplication Tables, to families who seem to be struggling financially. The child’s smile is payment in full. Happiness comes from helping others.
How To Get Happy Fast: When I am feeling down, it is because of the thoughts in my head. So I imagine myself “flushing negative thoughts down the toilet” in my head and let it run down into my heart. Once my thoughts are in my heart, the sadness and worries disappear and gratitude surfaces again!
How To Get Happy Fast: Get a Big Hug from my kids! When I am feeling down They are the first ones to give me a big hug and everything melts away. They’re free and you can get as many as you need. Hugs can heal even the downiest of days!
How To Get Happy Fast: This is going to sound silly, but seriously…. Look at yourself in the mirror and make a goofy face. You can’t help but laugh. It puts a smile on your face even if you’re having the worst day EVER. And it takes ZERO effort.
How To Get Happy Fast: Often, when you’re down in the dumps, or you’ve experienced a setback, you have a tendency to “hang around” the failure. You talk about your problems with anyone who will listen, and you allow negative thoughts and ideas to capitalize your day. But if you can grab onto the concept of a “do-over,” you’ll be able to ignore your problems and failures — walk away from them forever — and start fresh. And starting fresh puts you past behind you and places almost limitless possibilities ahead. Sometimes, a new beginning is just what you need.
How To Get Happy Fast: Take a Laugh break and do the laughing exercise. Just start laughing out loud, like something is hysterically funny! Ho, Ho, Ho, Ha, Ha, Ha…look in the mirror! Laugh for 5 minutes! This always works!
How To Get Happy Fast: Force yourself to smile. Based on the facial feedback theory – your brain “reads your facial muscles and thinks that you are happy and so in a few moments, you will feel happy.
How To Get Happy Fast: Watch kids play! When kids are at play their innocence shines through. Kids at play are one of the best ways to remember that there are bigger things than whatever has you down!
How To Get Happy Fast:
Challenge yourself to do one small thing you’ve been afraid of doing — which ultimately will make you feel much better about yourself.
Something as small as trying out a yoga class to running in a 5k road race.
How To Get Happy Fast: Give something to someone less fortunate. You can make a difference. If you’re reading this, then you’ve obviously got an internet connection, a resource to infinite information, a portal to the world, a way to make someone’s situation drastically better. And that should make you happier.
How To Get Happy Fast: Picture the face of someone you love. And if there isn’t a person, a pet will do! Research has verified that this kind of visualization releases a cascade of “feel good” chemicals, such as endorphins into your system for an all around happiness boost.
Thanks To:Leslie Davenport, psychotherapist and author of Healing and Transformation through Self Guided Imagery
72. Sing It Loudly
How To Get Happy Fast: Sing a favorite tune LOUDLY! I prefer to be accompanied by the original tune. For me it would a toe tapping, upbeat, dance tune like Walking On Sunshine by Katrina & The Waves. This works great as a personal pick-me-up and also as a confidence builder before an important appointment!
How To Get Happy Fast: Eat some chocolate. Seriously. Find wherever you have a stash hidden or if you don’t have any, go to the nearest store and pick up some.
Eat it and let it melt in your mouth. Not only will it taste good but studies have proven that chocolate actually makes you happier.
How To Get Happy Fast: Close your eyes and spend four or five minutes envisioning something you’re really looking forward to, visualizing and experiencing it as if were actually happening.
How To Get Happy Fast: Peanuts, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts are loaded with vitamin E, an antioxidant which strengthens the immune system, which gets run down when you’re running around and from the stresses of the economy. They are also high in fiber, phytonutrients and B vitamins, which prepare your body for physical ramifications of stress like high blood pressure and off-kilter hormones. Nuts are also a great food source of arginine, an amino acid that improves the immune system and blood flow- to help you get from dead tired to orgasmic! You need only a handful per day, so try them on yogurt, salads, oatmeal, bake them in cookies- or just snack on them plain!! Go Nuts, Be Happy!!
How To Get Happy Fast: Do a good deed. Find someone to help today, no matter how small the deed. Think of a friend, family member, or business associate you can help and just do it! There is scientific evidence we feel better when we help others.
How To Get Happy Fast: Quick walk outside and really look at the trees, grass, and what’s around. Smile at what you see and that will change your attitude!
How To Get Happy Fast: Be grateful! Be very, very grateful. You could have been born in Darfur! You will feel lucky and happy if you consider how 95% of the people in the world live. Suddenly your problems don’t seem so severe.
How To Get Happy Fast: List 5 Good Things: When I’m down I take a minute to list 5 things that are good in my life right now. Whether it is the exercise in gratitude or the fact that I stop thinking about my problems for a minute (or a combination of the two), it always makes me feel happier.
How To Get Happy Fast: BLOG! I started a blog called “Trounced” and aggregate photos of funny animals to share with friends. Fat, cute animals always make people laugh. Just look at that wombat!
How To Get Happy Fast: Be with kids! Sit in a park or playground for a few minutes and watch the children. Nothing works faster to lighten my mood and help me forget my troubles than seeing their joyous play and pure love — a great example and reminder of living in the present moment.
How To Get Happy Fast: Chocolate always helps when I am feeling down. I keep a bowl of Hershey kisses or Dove chocolate pieces in the refrigerator and when I need a little pick me up – I head to fridge and grab just one piece. That’s all I am allowed but it works! You have to savor it!
How To Get Happy Fast: I have found the best way to feel happy myself is to go out of my way to do something nice for somebody. It can’t fail to put a smile on your face when you put a smile on someone else’s face.
How To Get Happy Fast: Close your eyes and think back to a happy memory from your past (I enjoy thinking back to my childhood). Relive the memory, and remind yourself how fortunate you are and how far you’ve come.
Thanks To:Sid Savara, Personal Development and Productivity Writer
86. Soap It Up
How To Get Happy Fast: I DVR a soap opera on a daily basis. Very often I don’t get a chance to watch it, or choose not to, but when I want an escape from reality, it’s a great way to sit back, relax and get absorbed in some really silly story line about someone else’s troubles, which are always far worse than mine! For example, the woman with multiple personalities who doesn’t know that her alter switched her newborn baby, for another one, the day she gave birth. Will she ever realize this on her own, will the woman’s sister, who figured it out, tell her? Will she be able to handle the truth? Or…will she have a mental breakdown and wind up back in the psychiatric hospital (in a straight jacket) once she finds out?! The best thing about soap operas is that the story lines go on for so long, that even if I haven’t watched in weeks, I’ve never really missed so much that I can’t get right back into the story and forget “my story” for a while!
How To Get Happy Fast: Make chocolate chip cookies from scratch for someone else! The routine, direction-following, textures, memories, and smell are all mood-lifters. The best part is giving a plate of warm cookies, chocolate chips still soft, to someone else who needs a lift.
How To Get Happy Fast: Lose the negative people in your life, period. People who want to dwell on the negative are not good people to be around, especially when times are tough. Hang out with those who have positive and realistic expectations on how to succeed.
How To Get Happy Fast: I get in my fabulous pink Porsche and go for a ride. That always makes me smile. Not only because she’s pink, but because she’s a reminder of where I have come from – I saved for her for 15 years and bought her as a gift for myself on my 30th birthday – after years of being an entrepreneur! Pic attached.
How To Get Happy Fast: Admire a scented flower such as rose, lavender, freesia, hyacinth or your favorite. There’s nothing like a momentary appreciation of the natural world, that involves both sight and scent to boost your mood. The natural world sets me straight and lets me appreciate that moment that I am able to just breathe and be.
How To Get Happy Fast: Chew bubble gum. Not some fancy, new, sugar-free stuff. Good, old-fashioned original flavored bubble gum. The first few chews, followed quickly by the beginning of bubble blowing will never fail to make you grin – harkening back to your childhood. And anyone nearby who is watching you blow bubbles will be transported as well!
How To Get Happy Fast: Head over to www.FMyLife.com. It’s a site where people can chronicle their unfortunate (and often hilarious) day-to-day life events and funny “fails.” Sounds terrible, I know, but seriously, you’ll get a good laugh. I mean, really—things could always be worse…
How To Get Happy Fast: Bring out the best side in who I’m around by asking about their favorite person or project, then asking follow-up questions that relate to the most passionately-expressed part of their answers. In so doing, that person is likely to see and support my best side – and we can become higher-performing and happier with each other
How To Get Happy Fast: Dance your cares away. Get out your iPod or MP3 device. Find a tune that makes you want to boogie. And, in the words of Lady Gaga, “Just dance, gonna be okay.”
How To Get Happy Fast: Dance like a crazy person around your own living room! Crank your favorite tunes, get up and move, sway and jam to the beat. Release endorphins, burn a few calories and laugh out loud at yourself while you practice that breakdance move or box step (in private, ofcourse)!
How To Get Happy Fast: Have a dad’s day out with your kid. Nothing makes me happier or brightens up my mood more…
Thanks To: Michael M. Shapiro of The Alternative Press
98. Read Your Religious Text
How To Get Happy Fast: It reminds me that I don’t have to have the answers to my problems. I can ask the One who created me and everything else for help. He always comes through.
How To Get Happy Fast: Get down on the floor and play or cuddle with your cat. Not only is petting a cat therapeutic, but taking a moment to really appreciate how carefree and in-the-moment cats are will raise your spirits. By getting down to their level you’re forced to let go of other distractions and really focus on your pet and all the joy they bring you.
How To Get Happy Fast: When you’re sulking about how crappy life is, go outside to a park, beach, trail or your backyard. You get Vitamin D-essential to mood-boosters in your brain, fresh air, exercise and a long moment to forget about how bad things are and remember it’s free to be outside and enjoy what you miss when at work. Not to mention, how cool is it to see all the crazy wildlife in your area-makes you realize there’s more than humans and office buildings on this planet, so enjoy it while you can!
How To Get Happy Fast: Do something nice for someone else. It is a gift to them and a gift to you. It gets you out of your head and into a happy place.
How To Get Happy Fast: Watch Funny Cats/LOLcats on YouTube! Every time I feel stressed out or sad, I just hop on YouTube and search for the latest funny cat video in their Pets & Animals section. My favorite is Maru, the fat Japanese cat who loves to slide through boxes or crawl into tight spaces!
How To Get Happy Fast: If you feel the glass is half empty & you want to feel like it’s half full. Get out…way out of your comfort zone & find positive successful people to associate with. There are so many free networking opportunities in most metropolitan cities. Mix & mingle with forward thinkers. Their inspiration & motivation will rub off on you indeed. Your Network = Your Net worth!
How To Get Happy Fast: Find out about the good things going on in the world around you. 50 in 52 Journey is traveling the country to one state per week for 52 weeks to introduce you to incredible people making an impact on your community. 10 minutes a day watching the video interviews will inspire you and remind you that there is good news in this world and in your backyard.
How To Get Happy Fast: Look at my collection of fossils! When feeling overwhelmed nothing is better than the gift of perspective, and fossils clearly send the message that I am but for a short time. I need to recognize my worries are nothing in the big picture, so I quit worrying, and get on with what I need to do.
How To Get Happy Fast: Perform a 4 minute “tabata-style” full body workout! Nothing is more invigorating than stimulating every major muscle group in your body. This type of workout has scientifically been proving to increase your metabolism for up to 48 hours after you’re done. You’ll feel great and energized for up to two days and at the same time you’ll be melting the fat away! Now THAT’s something to be happy about!
How To Get Happy Fast: Limit your choices in other areas of your life! If your dwelling on a major work or relationship decision or issue and its causing you stress, try your best to make all your other choices as easy and quick as possible. For example, when you find yourself staring at a menu, order the first sandwich that’s good enough. When you’re picking an outfit in the morning just go with something as long as it gets the job done. Write that email and send it off even if its not as perfect as it could be. Look to satisfy your needs in these other areas instead of optimizing for the best– you’ll be happier and have less regret over your smaller decisions, which will help you preserve your emotional energy for making your big decision.
Thanks To: Avi Karnani, co-founder of Thrive, free financial advice
109. Choose It
How To Get Happy Fast: Much of being happy is a mindset. We all can choose our thought patterns, choose to put a smile on our face, choose to be positive instead of negative, choose to be encouraging instead of complaining. If you must be in a situation or performing a task you don’t quite care for, consider its necessity and if you can’t be happy about it find a way to be content with it. It’s a lot easier to complete something when you are content vs. when you are miserable. The faster you become content, the faster you get through the stuff you don’t care for and the faster you can get back to happy!
How To Get Happy Fast: The number one way I distract my subconscious mind from bringing me down is to catch a quick episode of Family Guy. You can watch on the Internet at FamilyGuy.com right from your deask to take a quick laugh break and a reminder not to take it all so serious. Don’t forget the tissue when you are crying from laughter.
How To Get Happy Fast: Focus your complete attention on your breathing. Breathe slowly and deeply. Conscious breathing relaxes you, readjusts your metabolism, and connects you with Spirit.
How To Get Happy Fast: Look at a work of art or photography that brings back a great memory. Block out everything else and put yourself into the time and place that the art captures. For me it is a sculpture of my wife that I did a few years back that makes me happy. No matter how down I may have been, thinking of just of how lucky I am to have her by my side to face life’s challenges cheers me up.
How To Get Happy Fast: I listen to Gaelic Storm whenever I need a quick pick-me-up. Their latest album, “What’s the Rumpus?” was just named Irish Album of the Year by Irish American News.
How To Get Happy Fast: As silly as it sounds, pretending to be happy when you are down can actually result in your cheering up and actually becoming happy. There have been studies that show a correlation between acting happy and being/becoming happy, but studies don’t mean a thing if it doesn’t work for you personally. However, I’ve used this trick when down (and when full-on depressed!) and it’s worked wonders for me. Same for friends to whom I’ve suggested it! So, slap on a big smile, tell a joke, whistle to yourself or otherwise emulate your best Pollyanna. Soon enough, you’ll find yourself actually *being* happy!
How To Get Happy Fast: Hot, fresh, rich and black. It’s the full, feel good, sensory blast that blows out the fog, pushes back the walls, kicks the creativity machine and fuels the productive pen that fills the blank pages of my sketchbook. It’s even better if you discover the happy, “good vibe” spot in your favorite coffeehouse.
Thanks To: Tony Cornett, President & Chief Designer, Duck Bill Design
116. Shower Off The Stress!
How To Get Happy Fast: Take a long, hot shower. Sure, it may not be environmentally friendly, but, damn, it really can wash away those nasty bad vibes. Plus, happy people recycle. So there.
How To Get Happy Fast: Take a deep breath, and think about something that makes you happy. Not only do you think about that one thing, but you really feel the emotion of happiness, excitement, or joy that goes along with your happy thought. Allowing yourself to not only think a happy thought, but to feel it allows that happiness to stay with you longer.
How To Get Happy Fast: Get your mind focused in the present moment! Most often when I feel down, I realize it’s because I’m in my head, imagining some grim, future experience.The second I get present, I realize that none of that stuff is happening right now and in fact, at this current moment, I’m healthy, have a roof over my head, and a full belly etc. Ahhhh…all better!
How To Get Happy Fast: Print out emails you get saying what a rockstar you are, what a difference you make, how much people adore you. Put them in a big glass jar with thank you notes and other items that prove how brilliant other people know you can be. Keep it in your direct line of sight in your office and when things get REALLY bad, take them out and read them until you feel good again.
How To Get Happy Fast: Stop by your local Shelter or Community Help Organization and ask if you could contribute something they need or your talent! They always have a needs list! Bringing fresh baked goods would help too.
How To Get Happy Fast: Well when I feel down or it’s the end of the day, I will go to http://www.fmylife.com/. It’s a site where anyone can post their f—mylife moment. After reading a few of the posts on the site you should have a good laugh and overall be in a better mood.
Thanks To: Dustin Ramage, UND Student
122. Strap On The Shoes
How To Get Happy Fast: Strap on your shoes and go for a 15-minute run or walk. You have just done something that many have not so you can feel good about yourself – and it only took 15 minutes.
Thanks To:Danny Kofke author of “How To Survive (and perhaps thrive) On A Teacher’s Salary
123. Tac.tv
How To Get Happy Fast: Get a real laugh by watching the insane animations on TAC at www.tac.tv ! It chases away your cloudy mood.
How To Get Happy Fast: Be grateful! At the first sign of feeling down, I immediately begin to think of things that I’m grateful for – my health, my family, ice cream, springtime, sunny days, whatever. It’s hard to feel down (and stay there) when you realize that there’s a lot more in life to be grateful for than there is to be upset about.
How To Get Happy Fast: I allow myself to escape and think about what can be. I think about the dream I’m building. I picture myself already living it. Then I think about what I need to do right now to move in that direction. It helps me forget my troubles and get energized for the actions I need to take! Then I flush the toilet, wash my hands, and get back to work!
How To Get Happy Fast: Visualize yourself being on vacation! Whether you prefer dipping your toes in the azure waters of a tropical island, shopping in Paris, or gliding over Albuquerque in a hot air balloon, visualizing you are there can lift your spirits in an instant.
How To Get Happy Fast: Music is powerful – and if you’ve prepared in advance, you can have a sure fire soundtrack of your life that can lift your spirits. Pick the music style that you like, buy some itunes with a positive message. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Ain’t That a Kick in the Head by Dean Martin All You Need is Love by the Beatles I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley Don’t Worry Be Hppy by Bobby McFerrin
How To Get Happy Fast: Believe that the future equals the present! If you believe that your goals and dreams have already been accomplished in the future, you will realize the obstacles you are facing now are necessary for you to reach your highest level of success at a point in the future. This is a great way to find a way to stay positive and learn from challenges. Oh yeah….Breathe
How To Get Happy Fast: I use my faith. I say to my self…”I will do what I can do and God will do what I cannot do!” This quote instantly makes me at peace and happy.
How To Get Happy Fast: I pray. I ask God, or my higher power, or my soul, or my spirit to lift whatever it is that is keeping me down. Usually it is fear. So, I ask for my fear to be lifted and before I know it it is gone. When it comes back I do it again and it works every time. Anyone can do it anywhere at any time and no one will know your doing it. This is not a religious thing at all. It is the most powerful tool we all have for getting through the tough times in our lives.
How To Get Happy Fast: Call someone and thank them for the difference they make in your life. Taking your mind off of your own misery and getting present to someone’s greatness and love for you will instantly disappear the blues. Before you know it both of you will be having a love fest over the phone and turn the worst day into a rockin’ day.
How To Get Happy Fast: Accomplish a simple task. From start to finish, clean out a file drawer, declutter your office supply cabinet or organize the folders on your computer desktop. Pick something simple enough that you can complete it on your own in an hour or less, but something challenging enough that you’ve been procrastinating it for awhile. Then sit back and smile as you make a big red line through that finished “to do” on your list.
How To Get Happy Fast: MUSIC! I either play it on my mac or ipod and rock it out to get the energy moving. Once I do I feel a release and am smiling again
How To Get Happy Fast: Write in a gratitude journal. Every day, identify three things that went well for you that day, and think about why they went well. You’ll be happier, sleep better, and be less prone to depression and anxiety, according to strong psychological research. For video and a tool that helps you do this online, and on the iphone, visit http://www.happier.com
Thanks To: Andrew Rosenthal, co-founder, happier.com
136. Take Charge Of Your Attention
How To Get Happy Fast: Remember that energy follows attention. Learn to train your mind so that you are in charge of your attention and your attention isn’t in charge of you. If you can focus your attention in a given moment on something that brings comfort, peace, calm to you, your nervous system will start to downshift, allowing your body to return to a less stressed state of being. This will actually allow you to think more clearly, logically, and rationally so that you can take more mindful steps towards improving your situation, if it needs improving.
How To Get Happy Fast: Sit for 5 minutes with direct sunshine on your face. If you wear glasses, take them off, close your eyes and feel the warmth on your skin. You’ll find yourself begin to smile before the first minute is up and feel much happier after your 5 minute vacation.
How To Get Happy Fast: When I feel down, I grab some inspirational read material. It can be nonfiction, fiction, or anything in between A good blog always works, too.
How To Get Happy Fast: Smile at everyone you see, for no reason. You get smiles back, make heart felt connections, and will be lifted right out of your worries.
How To Get Happy Fast: Holding my children. Nothing changes life like when your little ones give you a great big hug. The unconditional love is a huge boost.
How To Get Happy Fast: Write about your favorite sports team! Writing (i.e., journaling) relieves stress, builds self confidence and self knowledge, and is fun. Whether your team has won or lost, writing allows for freedom of expression and provides an opportunity to creatively release pent-up thoughts and emotions in reaction to an event. Try to devote a specific amount of time daily (whether 20 minutes or five minutes) to writing and the benefits are endless.
How To Get Happy Fast: Open a window (preferably a high floor), stick your head out and shout at the top of your lungs – “I am sick and tired and I am not going to take it anymore.” Withdraw head from opening and close window. Repeat as appropriate, not more than 3 times every hour, for a maximum of 4 hours. Prescription is not refillable for 90 days. Know that you are not violating any copyright. As you step away from the window notice that your throat does not hurt any more.
How To Get Happy Fast: Notice one thing to appreciate–you can start with objects around you, or just look out the window at something in nature. Notice what you appreciate about it. Then notice another thing you appreciate. Often as you notice an object it reminds you of a person (who gave it to you or has a connection to it) and creates more appreciation and enjoyment.
Thanks To:Lisa Tener, Book Coach and owner of Write Your Book
144. Tap It Out
How To Get Happy Fast: EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) is know as the one minute wonder because it helps get over everything from the doldrums to chronic pain quickly and easily. Once you learn the 30 second technique you can use it anywhere in real life. Get the protocol at www.break-through.org
How To Get Happy Fast: Lighting a scented candle. Scented candles enhance your body, mind, and spirit erasing anxiety, fears and overall negative emotions.
How To Get Happy Fast: Sing along to old ’50s rock and roll! You can’t sing doo wap without a smile. Do it with earphones if you share an office – it will give people around to an opportunity to smile too!
Thanks To: Karen Schmedeke of Dezign Matters Creative Group, Inc.
147. Opera
How To Get Happy Fast: When I’m down, my quickest fix is to play Pavarotti singing the aria “Ah Mes Amis.” The nine high-Cs have reliably sent my heart soaring for the last several decades.
How To Get Happy Fast: Make a list! Write down things that you want, but make them things you already have. It’s a sure way to move yourself into gratitude and out of the dumps. (I want running hot water, a flat screen TV, a comfortable bed … oh look! I already have them).
How To Get Happy Fast: I’m not joking. When I’m overworked, overworried, or over stressed, my sex drive goes the way of the dodo bird. Then, my husband and I stop doing it because of any number of excuses: too tired, too busy, too achy… Then, almost as soon as we stop doing it, three things happen: my mood plummets (nothing ever works out for me!), my husband starts to REALLY get on my nerves (I wish he would just drop dead already!), and I want to have sex even less (why would I ever want to have sex when I could be spending all of my free time on Twitter and Facebook?!). It’s a vicious cycle. I’ve learned to equate tension with horniness. Whenever I start to feel uptight, I know it’s time for a release. I tell my husband (we’re both self employed):nooner stat! And then within minutes, we’re both happy again. It works because of endorphins, but I’m convinced they are better, stronger endorphins than the ones you get during exercise. I run nearly every day, but if I don’t have sex at least once a week, I’m a sad camper. Exercise alone is not enough.
How To Get Happy Fast: Take the focus off of yourself and your business for just one day and help someone else. Get out and volunteer, give a free seminar for other struggling small business owners, or find out where the most need is in your city and get involved. When we help others we gain much more than we ever expected and it feels really good!
How To Get Happy Fast: Count your blessings – be thankful – Every adversity is also a learning experience. The bible says to be thankful in everything.
How To Get Happy Fast: When I am feeling down or stressed I find a way to laugh. Laughter truly is the best medicine (well, after sex, that is!!) I have comedy CD’s that I keep in my car (Jeff Dunham and the Blue Collar guys do the trick for me) and when I find that I am gritting my teeth and swearing in traffic I stick one of them in and start laughing. Presto chango to the moodo!!!
Thanks To: Sherry Suess Home Ownership Heros
153. Sleep Through A Movie
How To Get Happy Fast: Sleep through a movie. Sleep is never more gratifying and renewing than when you sleep through something you thnk you shouldn’t, even when you really should.
How To Get Happy Fast: he 3 Steps for instant happiness. Step 1. Change your body movement or posture, Step 2. Change your external and internal conversation, Step 3. Change your internal and external pictures. Make a Gratitude List. Make a list of what your grateful for and by doing so you’ll have to change body movement, your conversations and pictures and you’ll be instantly happy or happier. I’m so grateful for company, I’m so grateful for my health, I’m grateful to me in charge of my life, etc.
How To Get Happy Fast: Start a pickup game of wiffle ball with absolute strangers.
Thanks To: Nick Benas-Tribal Leader,Entrepreneur, CO-Commissioner of Big League Wiffle Ball, and Life Gambler.
156. The Rule Of 5
How To Get Happy Fast: Write 5 personal, handwritten thank you notes to the first 5 people that you think have made a difference in your life, year, month, week or day. It could be anyone – a clerk at a store to your own child. Giving thanks always gives back things to be thankful for!
How To Get Happy Fast: Play a lively game of ball with your dog (or your friend’s dog!)!. You get more exercise, he gets more exercise and his enthusiasm and happiness just has to rub off! Both you and the dog end up smiling and laughing!
How To Get Happy Fast: SING! an upbeat song with positive lyrics (”My Favorite Things” from Sound of Music is a good one). if you can go to a piano bar and sing at an open mic night, all the better. it works for me every time!
How To Get Happy Fast: One of the best ways to go from sad to happy is to laugh. You don’t need to have something to laugh at (or with), you can do it anytime, anywhere. It not only relaxes muscles and releases tension but as your facial muscles change direction into a smiling face your brain gets the message of feeling happy..
How To Get Happy Fast: I call someone I know is going through a difficult situation and do what I can to help. This gets my mind off my problems which then magically work themselves out … If I focus on the problem it gets bigger, if I focus on the solution the problem goes away.
How To Get Happy Fast: Walk around the block. The walk may lead to a unplanned meeting with a neighbor or even a friendly stranger and before you know it, you aren’t thinking about your sadness or troubles. Or your sharing them with this person. It helps put your life in perspective and not feel so lonely.
How To Get Happy Fast: I force myself to stop and take 10 long deep breathes, I close my eyes and the sound of my breath emulates waves at the beach which I can see vividly. I feel at peace once again with the world after and come back to the moment.
How To Get Happy Fast: Pop in my favorite CD and turn it up. Music truly soothes the savage breast – and if I add a little move-n-groove it makes me feel great really fast!
How To Get Happy Fast: To reset my mind, I look at a picture of my retirement home to be located at the Jersey shore. There is nothing more calming and relaxing that the ocean. I also listen to a CD of the ocean.
How To Get Happy Fast: Get happy the smart way. Accomplish something. Sharpen your sword! That’s what the Roman Centurions did between battles. The good times are business battles. Recessions are a time to re-group, catch up, plan, freshen sales literature and web sites, dream up new ideas, position yourself for the good times, keep in touch with customers (without the hard sell). Convert your worry energy into industriousness.
How To Get Happy Fast: Visit the Ocean! When feeling down nothing is better than a trip to the Ocean. For me it helps put things into perspective and is a very calming, soothing and uplifting experience.
How To Get Happy Fast: I watch this video on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCbuRA_D3KU (It is IMPOSSIBLE to watch the muppets sing this song without peeing in your pants from laughing so hard)
How To Get Happy Fast: SMILE! Too bummed out? Ok then stick a pen between your teeth! Place a pen between your teeth across your mouth and DO NOT touch it with your lips. Hold for 5 minutes.
It causes the face to hold and induce the same muscle reactions as a smile would. Even better it triggers the positive chemical effects of a smile. Don’t believe me? That’s oK go look at yourself in the mirror and that might just make you laugh a little – same results – positive.
How To Get Happy Fast: You cannot go wrong with a punk-gospel music combo. I blast Chumbawumba’s classic, “Tubthumper” followed by Darius Twyman’s song, “I’ve Got a Job.” That one-two punch knocks the blues right out of me!
How To Get Happy Fast: Blow Bubbles! Remember blowing bubbles as a kid? You can purchase a large container, including the magic wand for $1.00 at any dollar store. Then head for the beach, a park or your own backyard! I recommend this to my clients all the time, guaranteed to put a smile on your face and take you to a happy place. I also tell them, that if someone looks at them strange or wonders why a grown-up is blowing bubbles, tell them a professional told you to do it, just don’t give my name!
How To Get Happy Fast: I tell myself that nobody, or no situation, can take my happiness away. And, if I let them do it, it is my fault for giving them power over me. Last week I got a speeding ticket; the first in my life (I’m 70-years-old.)
It was a downer for a moment but using the above philosophy I quickly turned that around and told myself that now, with my first speeding ticket, I am an adult.
How To Get Happy Fast: I love to watch “Facing the Giants” youtube video. This video is so inspirational. It reminds me never to give up because before you know it you are passing the finish line. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vB59PkB0eQ
How To Get Happy Fast: When I am feeling down, I call a friend or colleague who comes to my mind and ask if there’s anything I can do for them. Usually they talk about their problem(s), which makes me forget about mine!
How To Get Happy Fast: Re-read your testimonials! Nothing combats a negative state better than reading the positive things clients and colleagues think about you, and more importantly, have committed to perpetuity via email/web.
How To Get Happy Fast: Read a good fantasy adventure book. It is pure escapism, and takes you into other worlds. When your mind is absorbed, you don have time to be down.
Thanks To: Diana S. Zimmerman of CMS Communications, Intl
177. Smiley Giggly Baby
How To Get Happy Fast: Get into the presence of a smiley, giggly baby. There’s no better medicine for the blues than being in the company of a precious, innocent baby who has no other cares in the world but to be with people he/she loves. This will quickly not only bring a smile to any grump’s face but also help to bring perspective back into any glum situation. It’s a great reminder that people are what count.
How To Get Happy Fast: Look up at the sky and watch the clouds move! Some days, they go by quickly and, others, slowly. The point, though, is that they are ALWAYS moving much like the rhythm of life. you never know what’s going to come next month, next week, or even tomorrow. (Also, tilting the head up for a few minutes helps with circulation. The extra rush of blood to the head will bolster your energy.)
How To Get Happy Fast: Surround yourself with positive people. Last summer I joined a running group that was training for a half marathon (or full, depending on fitness level) to raise money for special needs children. We trained together for almost 5 months. Met some wonderful people, made some great friends and helped out a worthy cause.
How To Get Happy Fast: Turn words into positive messages. H.A.P.P.Y. to me means H as in Home,I have a place to live. A as in Awake, I have another breath. P as in Purpose, I have a reason to live. P as in People, great circle of friends. Y as in You, never forget that you are somebody.
How To Get Happy Fast: Eat a piece of cake! Everything seems better when you take the time have a slice of cake, or better yet a cup cake, with a cup of coffee. You instantly remember happy times!
How To Get Happy Fast: When in a down state, look up! Get outside for a walk: look up and examine the tops of buildings, chimneys, the sky, the tops of trees, listen to the noises of the countryside or city you find yourself in. Breathe into your stomach slowly and deliberately as you go and be mindful and thankful that you are free unlike so many people in this troubled world.
How To Get Happy Fast: Success Miniatures! Focus on the small wins, success on a daily basis. Set yourself a list of tasks to complete on a daily basis and give yourself a treat for each one you complete. Building up this list of miniature successes is a sure shot pick-me-up
How To Get Happy Fast: Act like a kid again!: Children know something about happiness that adults forgot as they get burned out by stress and time. When I get down I grab my wife and go and do something typical of children like play on a playground, get ice cream or get a bunch of adult friends and play tag. You get caught up in the moment and laugh til nothing matters.
How To Get Happy Fast: To learn this technique, first stop for a moment, right now, to pay full attention to your in-breath. Now that you’ve done that, notice that while you were doing that, you stopped thinking, momentarily. In other words, you consciously interrupted your train of thought. That’s the first part of the technique. The second part of the technique is to exhale fully while truly enjoying the fact that you managed to interrupt your train of thought. (It’s okay to smile for this part.) Now put these two parts together, and you have an exercise that I call the “One-Breath Cycle.” So whenever you become aware that your train of thought is speeding out of control, or going in the wrong direction, and bringing you farther and farther away from happiness, just do a One-Breath Cycle. The more you practice this, the more powerfully it will work for you. You can teach yourself to stop your mind with just one short, sharp intake of breath. You can use this technique wherever you are, all throughout your day, as often as needed, and no one has to notice. For inner peace actually doesn’t take a lot of time: it only takes a moment.
Thanks To: Martin Boroson, organizational consultant, author of One-Moment Meditation: Stillness for People on the Go.
187. Make Cold Calls
How To Get Happy Fast: I clear my desk, pick up the phone, and start talking to new people. Sure there’s lots of misery out there, but now it’s shared misery. And then you find somebody who’s happy and shares my optimism and might also be interested in my company – what could make me happier than that?!
How To Get Happy Fast: When you act unpredictable in a fun way, it jumpstarts you and others around into getting happy quickly. Try it ,especially when you don’t feel like it. It works.
How To Get Happy Fast: Years ago I worked with a creative team that when we were at a low, we would launch paper airplanes off the top floor and place bets on where they would land. Then we would write notes in them for random people to read… … and hopefully not be offended!
How To Get Happy Fast: I’m a TRUE believer that if you ACT a particular way that you become what you’re acting. If you ACT AS IF YOU’RE HAPPY then you can’t help but become happy. Call it Psycho Cybernetics, The Power of Positive Thinking, or just being CRAZY – it works!
How To Get Happy Fast: Researchers have confirmed via MRI scans; making donations to charity actually activates pleasure receptors in our brains. In helping others, we do, in fact, help ourselves. Donate to your favorite charity. It need not be millions. Gently worn clothing to shelters, food to soup kitchens, or your time to a worthy cause.
How To Get Happy Fast: When was the last time you wrote your partner a love note, left a cheeky or provocative message on her or his voicemail, fed them chocolate coated strawberries dipped in champagne or when did you last share a bubble bath? Not only tantalizing, creative play can be stimulating and will ignite your emotional and sexual energy. Get your mind and blood pumping in all the right directions and set the mood for a time of play. You’re guaranteed to feel happy!
How To Get Happy Fast: Going and sitting anywhere beautiful. I happen to live within driving distance of the ocean, so going up there is key for me whether to take a walk on the beach or just sit in my car and watch the waves. It always picks me up.
How To Get Happy Fast: Visualize or recall a place and time where you were very happy. Remember the feel, smell and sound of the place. Stay in that place for a few minutes and enjoy. Visualize this place whenever you need to boost your mood.
How To Get Happy Fast: Eat Bacon! The best way to feel happy is to have a full belly. By eating the very best gourmet bacon from baconfreak.com you will be sure to have a smile on your face. After all who doesn’t have fond memories when they smell bacon?
How To Get Happy Fast: When I am feeling depressed or anxious, I force my mind to think of something that I appreciate (usually my kids). Perhaps, I’ll think of a recent good time we had together. It is difficult, some believe impossible, for the mind to be in a state of fear and a state of appreciation at the same time. After a brief period of reflection the fear based depression or anxiety will temporarily go away. Sure it may come back, but the more I practice this, the more the appreciation tends to dominate my thoughts – leading toward a happier me.
If we could manage, we would all remain happy all the time and when we are sad, we want to be happy again fast. Sages and philosophers for long have been struggling with the conundrum of being happy and remaining happy but none have been able to come u…
Christa at Giggle On Says:
April 22nd, 2009
How about, GRAB A WHOOPIE CUSHION?
When I need a pick-me-up, I grab my whoopie cushion, put on my silly bug hat and my clown nose and make obnoxious noises. Makes me laugh EVERY time!
I’m glad my friends Adryenn Ashley of Wow! Is Me and Lee Romano Sequeira of Sparkle Plenty Designs, Inc. made the list. Giggle On with the Double Features (#25) and the Ha Ha Ha (#55) suggestions!
Tom Teece Says:
April 22nd, 2009
Great blog, Mike.
So many ways to get happy. This list will make for great reading the next time I can’t remember what there is to be happy about.
Best regards, Tom
David Sandusky Says:
April 22nd, 2009
#200 take the time to put together a blog post that reminds people of wonderful things! Bravo!
I must admit I am proud to see two people (119 & 156)contributed here that are part of my subscription site. You choose well!
Make it an absolutely incredible day for someone!
Mike Michalowicz Says:
April 22nd, 2009
@David – LOVE your #200 tip – flattery will get you every where.
Ryan Says:
April 22nd, 2009
Awesome list. I love #109 – Happiness is a choice, and when I find myself unhappy I try to remind myself that I control my thoughts and feelings. We tend to let the outside control the inside when it’s really the other way around.
Thanks for sharing your insight
Ryan
CSea Says:
April 22nd, 2009
Wow, quite the list. Being in gratitude does it for me. Instead of appreciate (your don’t hate reference) how about apprecilove?
Great list; thanks for the time and inspiration…CSea
Sarah of Chic Gems Jewelry Says:
April 22nd, 2009
Thank you for including me in this great post! Great tips!!!
Blogarooni.com » Blog Archive » How to Get Happy Fast… Says:
April 22nd, 2009
[...]
Andrea Says:
April 23rd, 2009
Thanks Mike for including my happy tip. All the tips are great…and thanks for reminding us that happiness is a choice.
Internet Strategist Says:
April 23rd, 2009
Wow what a list. I can imagine so many smiles from implementing “put a fork in it” immediately and many of these others!
One I didn’t see is Focus on What You Do Best – Hire Someone to Do the Rest!
Amber Says:
April 23rd, 2009
Bubble wrap!! How could they miss bubble wrap? Just popping the little plastic bubbles always makes me smile and relax instantly. And for those of you that don’t happen to have any at hand, you can use the website I posted here. Happy popping!
yuliapod Says:
April 24th, 2009
This start out great but get redundant and progressively less insightful towards the end. Perhaps cut down a bit?
How to Get Happy Fast « Demgen’s Blog Says:
April 24th, 2009
[...] Michalowicz, the Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, has a list on his blog this week: 199 Ways to Get Happy Fast. Always worth reading, this post is especially helpful, with ideas ranging from pigeons to [...]
Jessica Says:
July 5th, 2009
When I’m not happy, I lift my spirits up by playing with play-doh for at least 20 minutes. It takes alot of your mind and distracts you from life:) it makes me super happy. especially if you make it into a silly object. TRY IT
Mike Michalowicz Says:
July 5th, 2009
@Jessica – Play-do! That is a great tip!!!
- Mike
Married with Luggage » Traveling around the interwebs… Says:
July 25th, 2009
[...] group effort post is at the Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, where you can find 199 Ways to Get Happy Fast (I’m [...]
Get happy fast « Marketing Engagement by Valerie Conyngham Says:
September 2nd, 2009
[...] Conyngham Take a break out of your day and read The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur’s list of 199 Ways to Get Happy Fast. My contribution is tip number 52 (though right now number 52 is listed twice, maybe once you click [...]
happier.com featured in online publications « happier.com blog | a personal trainer for your happiness Says:
October 19th, 2009
[...] [...]
John Says:
November 5th, 2009
Hey thank you for this list. I was in the worst mood in the world. I then blasted happy music, danced around like a goof, ate some chocolate, drank some coffee, and now I feel like a new man!
Mike Michalowicz Says:
November 8th, 2009
@John Nicely done brother! Get the party started (a little beer never hurt anyone either)…. and focus again on success!!! Happy to hear you kicked the bad mood.
summerforever Says:
January 20th, 2010
awesome list ! i wrote some of these ideas down… thanks guys ! =)
April 22nd, 2009
Easy and true, thanks for all the advices
April 22nd, 2009
How to be happy fast…
If we could manage, we would all remain happy all the time and when we are sad, we want to be happy again fast. Sages and philosophers for long have been struggling with the conundrum of being happy and remaining happy but none have been able to come u…
April 22nd, 2009
How about, GRAB A WHOOPIE CUSHION?
When I need a pick-me-up, I grab my whoopie cushion, put on my silly bug hat and my clown nose and make obnoxious noises. Makes me laugh EVERY time!
http://www.giggleon.com/yoga-breathing-whoopie-cushion/
I’m glad my friends Adryenn Ashley of Wow! Is Me and Lee Romano Sequeira of Sparkle Plenty Designs, Inc. made the list. Giggle On with the Double Features (#25) and the Ha Ha Ha (#55) suggestions!
April 22nd, 2009
Great blog, Mike.
So many ways to get happy. This list will make for great reading the next time I can’t remember what there is to be happy about.
Best regards, Tom
April 22nd, 2009
#200 take the time to put together a blog post that reminds people of wonderful things! Bravo!
I must admit I am proud to see two people (119 & 156)contributed here that are part of my subscription site. You choose well!
Make it an absolutely incredible day for someone!
April 22nd, 2009
@David – LOVE your #200 tip – flattery will get you every where.
April 22nd, 2009
Awesome list. I love #109 – Happiness is a choice, and when I find myself unhappy I try to remind myself that I control my thoughts and feelings. We tend to let the outside control the inside when it’s really the other way around.
Thanks for sharing your insight
Ryan
April 22nd, 2009
Wow, quite the list. Being in gratitude does it for me. Instead of appreciate (your don’t hate reference) how about apprecilove?
Great list; thanks for the time and inspiration…CSea
April 22nd, 2009
Thank you for including me in this great post! Great tips!!!
April 22nd, 2009
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April 23rd, 2009
Thanks Mike for including my happy tip. All the tips are great…and thanks for reminding us that happiness is a choice.
April 23rd, 2009
Wow what a list. I can imagine so many smiles from implementing “put a fork in it” immediately and many of these others!
One I didn’t see is Focus on What You Do Best – Hire Someone to Do the Rest!
April 23rd, 2009
Bubble wrap!! How could they miss bubble wrap? Just popping the little plastic bubbles always makes me smile and relax instantly. And for those of you that don’t happen to have any at hand, you can use the website I posted here.
Happy popping!
April 24th, 2009
This start out great but get redundant and progressively less insightful towards the end. Perhaps cut down a bit?
April 24th, 2009
[...] Michalowicz, the Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, has a list on his blog this week: 199 Ways to Get Happy Fast. Always worth reading, this post is especially helpful, with ideas ranging from pigeons to [...]
July 5th, 2009
When I’m not happy, I lift my spirits up by playing with play-doh for at least 20 minutes. It takes alot of your mind and distracts you from life:) it makes me super happy. especially if you make it into a silly object. TRY IT
July 5th, 2009
@Jessica – Play-do! That is a great tip!!!
- Mike
July 25th, 2009
[...] group effort post is at the Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, where you can find 199 Ways to Get Happy Fast (I’m [...]
September 2nd, 2009
[...] Conyngham Take a break out of your day and read The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur’s list of 199 Ways to Get Happy Fast. My contribution is tip number 52 (though right now number 52 is listed twice, maybe once you click [...]
October 19th, 2009
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November 5th, 2009
Hey thank you for this list. I was in the worst mood in the world. I then blasted happy music, danced around like a goof, ate some chocolate, drank some coffee, and now I feel like a new man!
November 8th, 2009
@John Nicely done brother! Get the party started (a little beer never hurt anyone either)…. and focus again on success!!! Happy to hear you kicked the bad mood.
January 20th, 2010
awesome list !
i wrote some of these ideas down… thanks guys ! =)