Success and Freedom

10 Things You Can Do In One Second To Make Your Life Happier

by Scott Christ 

1. Give a great big smile.

Looking for an easy way to make your life happier? Smile more. Smiling can help you feel better instantly. And it can be contagious. So give a smile to a total stranger on the street. Or if you’re sad, angry, or annoyed about something, choose to smile and laugh it off instead.

2. Laugh out loud.

Speaking of laughing, there’s a reason why it’s called “nature’s best medicine.” Laughing can instantly make you happier. Don’t be ashamed to let out a belly-deep laugh every day. It’s good for your body, mind, and soul.

3. Take a deep breath.

Deep breathing is one of the best ways to reduce stress and bring balance back into your life. And it only takes a second. Take some time out each day to focus on nothing except your breath. You’ll find your life becomes happier, healthier, and less stressful.

4. Shut off your phone.

We live in a society inundated with smartphones, computers, tablets, televisions, and other technological advances. But it’s one thing to use these technologies in a productive manner; it’s quite a different thing to let your phone control you. Turn off the technology for a while and tune in to the workings of your inner mind. You’ll be surprised at what you find.

5. Take in your surroundings.

Life passes us by so fast sometimes we miss the little moments of beauty that really make it worthwhile. Take one second several times a day to stop and reflect. Watch a sunrise or sunset. Look around and appreciate everyone and everything you have in your life. And make your life happier in a matter of seconds.

6. Take a sip of water.

It’s no surprise that drinking water is good for your health. Try keeping a water bottle with you wherever you go, and take a second to hydrate a couple times every hour. Drinking water can help keep you hydrated, control calories, filter your kidneys, and maintain healthy skin.

7. Give thanks.

Happy people have this in common: they are grateful for all the good things in their lives. This means that to make your life happier, take a few minutes each day and count your blessings. Say, “Thank you,” more often. Show your appreciation when good things come your way.

8. Do a quick stretch.

An easy way to make your life better is to take care of your body. Take a few seconds to stretch out your tight spots and sore muscles each day. Here are some good stretches you can do at work.

9. Make meaningful eye contact with a stranger.

Most of us interact with other people every day. But how often are you truly engaging with the people you come in contact with? Take a second to give someone your undivided attention today. Look them in the eyes and really listen to what they’re saying. You’ll probably find that the quality of your interactions will increase substantially when you do this.

10. Be kind while driving.

Let’s face it, there are a lot of jerk drivers on the road. Traffic is frustrating and you usually don’t want to spend any more time in the car … we get it! But take the higher road instead. Let someone in when no-one else does. Stop for the biker or walker looking to cross the road. If you make a mistake, give a friendly wave and a smile instead of exchanging harsh words and gestures with the other driver. It only takes a second, and it can dramatically reduce your stress levels on a daily basis.

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