10 things you can do to be happier in 2016

So this is it! It’s a new year… I know you are all excited and happy about all the things you are dreaming about accomplishing this year but please spare us with the "new year ,new me" thing: There! I said it *cringe*

I know it sounds mean but it is such a cliché! And plus we all know that by January 15^th that slogan along with the big resolutions you were planning on crushing will be down the sink. So why hate and get angry? Unless you are really determined to make it happen in which case : My bad I’m sorry… but still spare us with the slogan. Just make stuff happen and blow people’s mind off. I can guarantee you that there is no better feeling than seeing the face they make when you do incredible things especially when they were not aware you were working on some kind of project

So for this first article of a brand new year, let’s not talk about resolutions (to be honest I don’t have any so that’s why I won’t talk about them), let’s NOT talk about the new you or the new me or anybody/anything new. Let’s do something better: let’s go through the list of things you can do to be a happier person in 2016… wait… does that count as a resolution? Don’t even answer that I don’t want to know… let’s get right into it

1- Smile a lot

I know… I know… it will seems like you are flirting with everybody especially that cute barista at the Starbucks where you regularly get your coffee (hello! Coffee date… Make sure you wink when you say thank you). But the thing is it's scientifically proved that when you smile or laugh, your brain releases hormones that makes you happy and improve your mood. So next time you are tempted to frown or beat yourself up because things are no going the way you want, just smile and let the chemistry of your brain do the magic

2- Do more of what makes you happy

It is the same principle as the smiling trick: doing what you makes you happy releases endorphins which is the feeling good hormone. So whenever you are not feeling good, disconnect from whatever is happening around you and do what makes you happy.

3- Surround yourself with people that make you happy

My parents used to tell me to watch out who I was hanging out with because eventually the behavior and habits of those people will rub off on me. This concept is also applicable to energy: energy rubs off. If somebody is in a bad place emotionally, that person is emitting bad vibes and if you are not able to reverse that energy using your own it will rub off on you. If you are around people who are constantly happy and lift you up, you will benefit from the good vibes they are emitting because yes, happiness is contagious.

4- Go on an adventure

I know that one seems "expensive" and that "you don’t think you can afford it" but it doesn’t have to be now. You can work on it over a period of time and make it happen. It doesn’t have to be overseas: it could be going to another state or to a city you have always wanted to go to. The point is breaking off the routine and taking a breathe of fresh air will do you a lot of good and improve your mood.

5- Take care of yourself.

Now WE women KNOW (emphasis on KNOW) how good it can feel when we just disconnect and just pamper ourselves. Taking care of yourself could be booking an appointment at a spa and pamper yourself. It could be getting your nails done, go shopping, sign up for that Yoga vinyasa class you have been dying to try or even take yourself on a date. Whatever it is, make sure that you sit back and relax and let that “oh my god that feels so good” feeling take over and forget about everything else.

6- Live. Your. Life

People will always talk, always criticize: it is time you learn how to not care so much about people’s opinion. Especially opinion from people who add no value to your life. Just do something for yourself for god’s sake! And stop worrying about the wrong people because the people who mind don’t matter and the people who matter won’t mind. So go ahead and live your life.

7- Keep a gratitude journal (or a jar)

This is actually something that I plan on starting this year… NO it is NOT a resolution… Or maybe it is… Is it? Whatever… The point is whenever things are not going in the direction you would have wanted them to, you can just go back to that journal and uplift yourself by reminiscing the things you are grateful about.

You’re welcome.

8- Don’t compare yourself with other people

Comparing yourself with people is the perfect recipe for disaster and depression. Don’t do it. We all have different battles in life and we are all walking a different path. You don’t know when somebody's walk started and most importantly the battle that person had to fight to get where she/he is at now. You cannot compare your beginning with somebody’s middle. So just do your thing and do your best. One day you will make it to the top.

9- Don’t believe everything you see on social media.

Not everything shinny is gold

I'll let you meditate on that one...

10- Forgive, let go and move on

Holding a grudge is not healthy (physically wise and emotionally wise). You cannot live and be happy if you hold onto an emotional baggage that weights you down. It’s like trying to make a boat move knowing that you haven’t lifted the anchor: you will wreck your motor. In this case you will wreck you life and every chance you will have to be happy. Being happy also asks for ability to forgive, let go and move on. If you haven’t done that yet, maybe it’s time you try doing that.

We are through! I hope you were able to find some useful items on that list and that you will actually try some of them. Let me know if you have some more.
xo