How to Be Happy (10 Steps)

It's easy to get discouraged given the state of the country today. You can't always control your circumstances or the challenges that life brings you, but you can control your attitude and how you react to the world. Here are ten steps you take in your everyday life to increase your happiness:

1. Spend quality time with loved ones. Nothing can bring you more joy in life than your friends and family. Don't miss the special moments; make the people you love a priority.
2. Practice the art of gratitude. Find something to be grateful for everyday, even something small. Can't think of anything? Do you have someone who loves you? Do you have your health? Did you have enough food to eat today? Do you have somewhere warm and safe to sleep tonight? Did you learn something today? Are you still alive? These are all things for which to be grateful.
3. Appreciate nature's beauty. Taking a moment to admire the glory of a sunrise, a sunset, a cloud, a tree, a flower, or a butterfly can make you feel connected to the world and happy to be alive.
4. Give someone a genuine compliment. You can brighten someone's day with just a few kind words -even a stranger. It feels good to make other people feel good about themselves.
5. Be in the moment. Try not to worry about the past or the future. It's easier said than done, but worrying all the time is pointless. You'll miss the good things happening now. Pay attention to the present. Don't borrow trouble.
6. Help someone else. It feels good to be helpful and needed. Volunteer at a food pantry, shovel an elderly neighbor's driveway, or just hold the door open for someone at the post office. It will take your mind off of your own troubles.
7. Take care of yourself. Get a good night's sleep, eat healthy food, and get some exercise. You'll have more energy to tackle life's challenges.
8. Accomplish something you've been putting off. It feels good to cross something off of your "To Do" list, even if it's a small task. So, don't procrastinate any further. Do your taxes, mop the kitchen floor, or make a dentist appointment.
9. Adjust your perspective. When you find yourself getting really annoyed or stressed out about something, take a moment and ask yourself, will this matter in 50 years? Chances are, the answer is no. Like the saying goes, "don't sweat the small stuff".
10. It could always be worse. It's not very enlightened, but if all else fails, consider the absolute worst case scenario. Odds are, your problems will seem small in comparison.

Do you have any happiness tips? Share them in the comments section.