7 Simple and Easy Ways to Improve Your Happiness

Have you been feeling down and hopeless? I know I have. It can be incredibly easy to get into this funk where you just want to hide under the covers and avoid the world. We've all been there and it is perfectly okay to have those days. However, it is extremely important that we do not allow ourselves to sulk in this unhappy feeling for too long. This past month has been emotionally and mentally draining for me. I allowed myself to sulk in the stress and worry of many things. I have not been sleeping well, drinking enough water, and ultimately just not taking care of myself. I knew I needed to pull myself out of the sulky funk that I was in. As hard as it may seem to do, it is possible. It is as simple and easy as this; do things that you know make you happy. 

                                                         Photo by Shakira 71 on flickr

1. Wake up early. 
For me, if I do not have at least 30 minutes for myself in the morning before I start my day, my day ends up feeling stressful and chaotic. I just recently started waking up early maybe two months ago and boy has it helped me. I have never been a morning person but I have been trying to wake up an hour or so early before I have to start getting ready for my day. I like to drink my coffee while sitting in bed reading or scrolling through Pinterest. The mornings that I'm feeling really good, I love getting up and doing yoga. I have come to the realization that this helps me tremendously. I feel more calm and relaxed when I begin my day. Having that sense of calm and relaxation throughout my day makes me feel a lot happier. 

2. Get dressed even on your days off. 
Whether you put on yoga pants and a cute top or you put on a cute dress, just get out of your pajamas. Days that I stay in my pajamas all day are the days I end up binge watching a show on Netflix and calling my mom complaining that I just don't feel happy. I have found that I am way more productive when I clean myself up and get dressed on my days off which in turn makes me feel happy. I'm not saying you have to shower and do full make up and hair. Just get up, wash your face, brush your teeth, brush your hair, and get dressed. It will help start your day and help you become more productive instead of sitting on the couch all day feeling down. 

3. Light your favorite candle. 
It is as simple and easy as that. Light your favorite candle. On days that I am off work and I am at home, I love lighting candles all over my apartment. Smelling my favorite scents and seeing the flame of the candle flicker, it just makes me smile. 

4. Read something that inspires you. 
For me, as I've mention before, reading Bella Grace magazines truly inspires me. Bella Grace makes me think, it makes me reflect, and it just inspires me all around. I feel truly happy when I sit down to read my favorite magazine. For you, maybe it's an inspiring Youtuber. It can be anything you want! But when you are feeling down and hopeless, reading or watching something that inspires you helps get those happy juices flowing through your veins. 

                                                photographybykellithomas.blogspot.com

5. Get outside. 
Personally, I feel completely filled with joy when I am outside. Even just taking my dogs outside, I feel happy. I love getting that fresh air and feeling the warm sun on my face and the slight breeze blowing through my hair. You can go sit on your porch and enjoy your morning coffee, you can go for a walk on the beach (my dream way of being outside), you could go hiking, or even just go for a drive with your windows down. Getting outside and getting that fresh air helps refocus your mind. You know how you feel when you see your food coming at a restaurant? That is how I feel when I get outside. Maybe it's the same for you! 

6. Have your favorite meal. 
Being a Libra, I struggle making decisions. So it is difficult for me to choose a favorite meal; however, I do have many meals that I absolutely LOVE. A few of them are huevos rancheros, Greek yogurt pancakes, and a Cobb salad which are all found in "The Pioneer Woman Cooks Dinnertime" by Ree Drummond. Whenever I am cooking or preparing any of these meals, I am happy and excited. To me, having a meal that I absolutely love is like eating comfort food. It just makes you happy when you genuinely enjoy your food! 

                                                            Photo found on Pinterest

7. Pamper yourself!
This one is exactly what it sounds like. Take an hour or two or even longer to pamper yourself. Take a hot, relaxing bath with good smelling bath salts and bubbles. Those days that I just want to come home and curl up in bed, my mom always tells me to go take a relaxing bath. I don't always listen but when I do, it's awesome. I like to light scented candles in my bathroom and pour in my bath salts and just relax and soak in all the wonderfulness that comes with taking a hot bath. You can also do a face mask or paint your nails. I'm not the best at painting my own nails so on those stressful days, sometimes I enjoy taking the time to actually go get my nails done. I actually enjoy going by myself because it gives me the opportunity to just sit there and relax while someone else is pampering me. Doing any of these things helps me relax and it just melts the stress right away.

I have said this before and I will say it again, you have to take care of yourself; make yourself a priority. This is exceptionally important when you are feeling down. It is totally okay to have bad or "off" days, just don't allow yourself to sulk in that misery. This life is way too short to not do your best to enjoy every minute of it!