How to be happy

Almost everyone knows how to hum that song by Bobby McFerrin - ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’.

Yep, living a happy and optimistic life is great for your mind as well as your health. Being happy protects you from the stresses of life. Happiness can be found in everyone, in fact, it is there inside you. We have the power to make the necessary changes we want in life, so that we can be happy.

How to ‘be happy’?

Be grateful. Be thankful of what you have. Thank the taxi driver for bringing you home safely, thank your mother-in-law for a wonderful dinner, and thank the plumber who repaired your kitchen sink. Also thank your husband for cleaning up the dishes, the mailman for bringing you your mails, the waiter who serves you at the diner. Just be thankful for being alive.

Manage your time wisely, as time is invaluable and too important to waste. Learn to manage your time, or develop an efficient personal time management skill. Fine tune these skills and you will have that extra reserve to accomplish your tasks and create the results you desire. When you feel a sense of accomplishment, and being competent, you feel happy. More importantly, work on things that you feel worthy of your time.

News is stressful. Most of the news we read or hear is bad news. So get less of it. Starting your day without bad news seem to be a more sensible thing to do, and will keep you happy for a longer time throughout the day.

Laugh and laugh heartily everyday. As you have heard it so many times - ‘Laughter is the best medicine’. So, pread some good news, or tell a good joke as and when you can.

Express your feelings, affections, friendship and passion to people around you. Accept people for who they are. Try not to keep pent up anger of frustrations, as it is bad for health. Find ways to express them in a way that will not cause more injury or hurt to anyone. Let go of all kinds of resentments.

Continue to learn something new everyday. Learning adds on to our knowledge and broaden our horizons, and give us more opportunities in the future.

Stay away from negative elements, such as drugs, hazardous places, and loud noises.

Feel alive , or rather STAY alive by doing the things your body was made for. Exercise - run, jog, or walk. Dance. Hike.

These are the few simple things you can do everyday to be happy.

To be happy is relatively easy, just decide to be a happy person. The choice is yours. :)