SuperMe

It's easier for stressful things to stick in the mind; they're big and heavy and important, but what about all the good stuff? You know you've smiled in the last week - but can you remember what at?

If you note down all the things that make you happy from day to day, you can build up a list of escape plans for the next time you feel trapped in a bad mood.

And who knows, maybe brushing your teeth makes you ecstatically happy and you just never noticed.


Photo by Bandita

A short-term fix for when you're feeling grumpy and you want to cheer up.

Get a pencil or a chopstick and put it in your mouth. Between the teeth and not between the lips so that it forces a smile. Leave it there and keep reading.

This little hack depends on your muscle memory, and helps your brain to remember feeling happy.

Be careful not to put the pencil between your lips, as that will cause a frown, and we don't need to practise those.

Feeling happier yet? No? Well it's probably cheered everyone else up seeing you sitting there with a pencil in your mouth.

You can take it out now...

Photo: Merely, NL

If you think that winning the lottery would make you happier... nuh uhh. Nope. Not likely.

So long as you can afford the necessities in life, massive riches and bling don't really make any difference to your overall happiness.

And worse, stupidly wealthy people find it harder to get little moments of joy from the simple things like sunsets and hamsters.

So that bloke who lives in a caravan down your road and spends every morning sipping tea on the step and taking in the day, could well be happier than the guy who drives a sports car and works 14 hour days.

Photo: Flattop341

Here's an interesting fact: People who walk into a room of freshly baked bread will love the smell. But then after a few minutes they won't smell it any more.

Same with life: we forget to be grateful for the good stuff because we simply get used to it being there.

Remind yourself of the things that are good in your life.

According to Richard Wiseman, people who did this were found to be happier, more optimistic and healthier.

Photo: RecycleThis

Talking to your furry, feathered or scaly friend can be like your own living diary.

They won’t talk back, will like the attention and are great listeners. Infact, it's been proven that owning a pet can have multiple health benefits including lowering stress levels, improving your mood and stopping feelings of loneliness. Pretty great huh?

Use your pets as a soundboard for whatever is on your mind - even if the idea of talking to your goldfish makes you feel silly.

Written by Ashe Stejskal and submitted on the Facebook Group

Photo: Andrew