Talk it out A Time magazine poll showed that the top tactic for improving mood is chatting with friends or family.
Get moving Physical activity, whether it’s dancing or having sex, boosts your happiness quotient.
See the glass as half full In addition to being happier, optimism has been linked to good physical health, longer life and less depression and mental illness.
Get married (for a while anyway) Many studies confirm that those who are married are happier than those living the single life. Yet, the mood boost that comes with being part of a couple only lasts for about six months, then it returns to regular pre-marriage levels.
Give a little A 2001 study found that happy people were more likely to do volunteer work, plus they became even more cheery the more they lent a helping hand.
Embrace the notion of growing old gracefully Some research has demonstrated that elderly folks are just as happy as the young. The theory is that older adults remember, and focus their attention on, more positive information.
Forget about fame and fortune Young adults focused on money and image tend to have less enthusiasm for life and suffer more physical ailments.
Harness your power Seligman suggests that lasting happiness comes from figuring out your strengths (such as kindness and capacity for love), then discovering the best way to use them.
Play with kids The Time poll also found 35 percent of its respondents believed kids or grandchildren were their top source of happiness.
Laugh and giggle A good chuckle helps reduce stress and puts the brakes on unhappy brain chemicals such as cortisol.
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