Everyone has the capacity for happiness, even if it doesn’t seem that way most of the time. Unlocking your inner happiness has partly to do with your body, and partly to do with your mind. Combine the two, and you just might find that the world looks a little brighter, and more forgiving, at that angle.

 

Call up a friend to talk about why you’re feeling sad.

 

Do this to get something off your chest, or to get your mind off it. The simple act of talking can make a surprising difference if it’s with the right person.

• Your best friends can really give you a boost when you’re feeling down. That’s what they are there for. Try calling someone you feel you can really communicate with.

 

Eat a good meal.

Make something different and delicious, something out of the ordinary. Chew slowly, smell the food, and savor every last bite. Be thankful that you even have food to eat. According to one source, about 25,000 people will die on any given day due to hunger or related illness.

 

Exercise.

Go for a walk, a jog, or a bike ride. Play a team sport. Do anything that gets you up and sweating. Exercising will make your body release endorphins, a chemical that lifts your mood and lessens your feeling of pain.

 

Be spontaneous.

Sometimes a consistent and boring routine can make you feel bad. Do something out of the blue without making any rash decisions. Go visit a friend or a museum, surprise your Mom with lunch, or take a weekend trip outside your city or town.

 

Think about good memories.

If you’ve lived through them once, you can definitely have them again. That’s the beautiful thing about memories. Just because things may seem bad right now doesn’t mean that they’ll be that way tomorrow.

 

Take a shower or a bath.

You’ll be amazed at how much of a lift taking a shower can give you.

• If you’re feeling in the mood for a bath, try putting some Epsom salts in the bath. Epsom salts are reputed to trigger the release of endorphins, those magical chemicals that are responsible for feelings of well-being.

 

Get out of the house.

The fresh air will be invigorating. Go somewhere with a friend, a family member, or even by yourself. See a movie, shop, go on a picnic, etc. Staying inside can feel like trapping yourself inside the prison of your depression. Don’t give yourself an excuse to feel bad.

 

Remind yourself of how lucky you are.

There’s always someone out there who isn’t as lucky as you. Feel grateful for what you do have, especially simple things like family, friends, or your health.

 

Taking a nap might make you feel better.

Taking a nice, restful nap can help you feel more creative, get better grades, and relieve more stress, scientists say.

 

Make a list of 100 things that make you happy.

It’s a challenge, but see if you can do it. Don’t think, don’t worry about if it’s childish or silly, just write it down.

 

Before you go to bed, completely clear your mind of everything.

This includes school life, grades, friends, family, etc. Dream up your happy place. This will at least leave you falling asleep with a better mood, making your feelings brighter in the morning.

 

Look at some of your childhood pictures.

If a funny one pops up, don’t push it away. Savor it. It’ll help remind you that life passes by so quickly sometimes. Ask your parents for childhood pictures if you want a lot of them!

 

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