Here is a list of 15 tips that will help you become happier:

1. Go hiking or camp under the stars

Going to new places and seeing a magnificent view of the mountains or waterfalls in real life for the first time inspires feelings of awe. Studies have shown that people who are curious about the world experience this awe-inspiring feeling more and they are less stressed and happier with their lives.

2. A cup of coffee please

It is a well known fact that coffee has caffeine which works to increase alertness and improve mood. For all coffee lovers, there’s great news. Studies have found that caffeine consumption actually decreases risk of mental illnesses such as depression, as well as, reduces risk of suicide.

3. Meditate

Meditating increases the level of neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) such as endorphins and serotonin in the brain. These brain chemicals are also known as feel-good chemicals. They reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. In the long run, practicing meditation can increase positive emotions and elevate your happiness and satisfaction in life.

4. Doing the things that make you happy

Even if you don’t feel like it, doing the things that make you happy does invoke positive emotions and encourage you to be more proactive. These positive emotions neutralize and get rid of the negative emotions such as helplessness and pessimism by pushing the body to take actions.

5. Write your feelings down

Journaling is a great help to your mental health. If you feel overwhelmed, writing and expressing your thoughts on paper can help you to identify and work on a plan to solve the problem at hand. This ultimately reduces stress and helps to manage anxiety when feeling overwhelmed.

6. Spend time volunteering

Studies have found that volunteering is the one activity that is most important in improving psychological health. The researchers found that volunteers have a lower risk of getting mental illnesses such as depression and they reported a higher level of overall happiness and satisfaction in their lives. The lesson to takeaway is when you care for others, you care for yourself too.

7. Spend time with family and friends

We all know that spending time with both family and friends increases happiness. However, a recent study showed that people on average have more than 5 times the level of happiness when they spend time with friends than with family.

8. Be around positive people

A researcher from Harvard found that for every happy friend you have around you, it increases your happiness by roughly 9%. If you’re feeling the blues, it would be better for your mental health to reach out to a friend who has a positive vibe. Since our brains mirror what the other person is communicating, mirroring a positive friend would help you feel positive too in no time at all.

9. Smile and laugh more

It is no brainer that smiling makes you feel happier. If you put on an insincere smile, you may be making yourself more miserable. So, smile and mean it too! Laughing is great because it increases the level of endorphins, serotonin and dopamine in your brain, making you feel happier.

10. Gardening

There is a type of harmless bacteria present in the soil. Breathing the smell of soil stimulates serotonin production in the brain. Depression occurs in people with low levels of serotonin in the brain. So, smelling the dirt has similar effects on our brains as antidepressant medications. What are you waiting for? Start digging!

11. Work out in the gym

Working out for even only 20 minutes can make you feel positive emotions for up to 12 hours post-work out. Exercising increases the level of feel-good hormones in the brain. That helps to lower stress, anxiety and risk of depression. People who stay active reported feeling happier and content with their lives.

12. Learn a new skill

Learning makes you a happier person. In the beginning while you are learning and teaching yourself, it may be stressful for a short while. However, in the long run, it helps to improve your mental and physical health, build resilience and self-confidence. That makes people happy and more satisfied with their lives.

13. Give your body enough time to rest

The quality of sleep you get impacts your daily mood and overall physical health. Adults require 7 to 9 hours of sleep to be able to function optimally. Having inadequate sleep overworks the emotional centers of the brain and increases negative emotions. So, make sure to get more sleep to feel positive for the rest of the day.

14. Wake up early everyday

There are multiple studies that show waking up early can increase mood and reduce risk of mental illnesses. One research stated that rising an hour earlier than your usual timing would lower your risk of getting depression by 23%. It also makes you more alert and builds a stronger immune system. Start your day early by exercising to get that endorphin boost throughout the day.

15. Lead a healthy lifestyle

Lead a healthy lifestyle by eating well, exercising, reducing smoking and alcohol consumption. Cigarettes contain nicotine that produces the feel-good hormone called dopamine in the brain. People with depression generally smoke more as they have low levels of dopamine and they use nicotine as a solution to temporarily boost its low supply to feel good. What we eat impacts our mental health. Choose food that promotes positive neurotransmitter signals in the brain. They include berries, yoghurt, kimchi, lean meat, fish and many more.

There we go!

Those are our 15 tips to help you feel happier.

If you’re interested in an all natural and organic solution that helps you get out from the blues every time, we’ve got just the thing for you!