Instant Happiness in 30 minutes

There are *those* days that can drain us. And there are those days that can anger or depress us. 

Sometimes it could be anxiety one day or fear the next. Whatever *those* days are, maybe doing one or a couple of these mood boosters can help you feel a little happier. 

1. Raise your activity level to pump up your energy. If you’re on the phone, stand up and pace. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Put more energy into your voice. Take a brisk 10-minute walk. Even better…

2. Take a walk outside. Research suggests that light stimulates brain chemicals that improve mood. For an extra boost, get your sunlight first thing in the morning.

3. Rid yourself of a nagging task. Deal with that insurance problem, purchase something you need, or make that long-postponed appointment with the dentist. Crossing an irksome chore off your to-do list will give you a big rush of elation.

4. Create a more serene environment. Outer order contributes to inner peace, so spend some time cleaning off your desk and tackling the piles in the kitchen. A large stack of little tasks can feel overwhelming, but often just a few minutes of work can make a sizable dent. Set the timer for 10 minutes and see what you can do.

5. Do a good deed. Introduce two people by e-mail, take a minute to pass along useful information, or deliver some gratifying praise. In fact, you can also…

6. Save someone’s life. Sign up to be an organ donor, and remember to tell your family about your decision. “Do good, feel good” — it really works!

7. Act happy. Fake it 'til you feel it. Research shows that even an artificially induced smile boosts your mood. And if you’re smiling, other people will perceive you as being friendlier and more approachable.

8. Learn something new. Think of a subject that you wish you knew more about and spend 15 minutes on the Internet reading about it, or go to a bookstore and buy a book about it. But be honest! Pick a topic that really interests you, not something you think you "should" or "need" to learn about.

9. Good ol' Happy Hour. Research shows that just enjoying drinks and being social with friends have been proven to lift spirits. 

My thoughts:

#7 definitely works for me. Just faking it allows me to go along with it and somehow makes me feel slightly better. 

#1 and #3 is also a sure bet. 

#9, YES! Guaranteed to make you feel better. Just kidding, I added #9 in the mix, but it should also serve to remedy your low mood levels (imo).