Stress Less and Smile More

Discover 8 Secrets

that will help you stress less and smile more

1 Make happiness a priority

Each day write down on a sticky note one thing that would improve your mood -- going for an early morning walk or taking lunch outside and soak up some sunshine -- and stick the note somewhere you can see it, like on your refrigerator, bathroom mirror, or computer monitor.  Then go our and do it.  Pressed for time?  Make your goal something simple, like taking five minutes to listen to the birds sing in your yard.

2 Don't overdo it at the office

When deadlines are tight and workloads heavy, it's often hard to pry yourself away.  But while putting in extra hours at work might seem like the right career move, it can cause your relationships, mind-set and even your health to suffer.  Set a time that you will clock out each day and -- unless a true emergency crops up -- stick to it.

3 Go easy on yourself

In the course of a day, you could do 100 things right and screw up one, yet if you're like most people, you probably can't stop kicking yourself for the single slip-up.  Remind yourself every day that making mistakes is part of being human, and recite to yourself a positive affirmation -- for example, "I'm a strong and capable person who sees setbacks as opportunities."

4 Live in the present

Most people spend more than half their waking hours regretting things that happened in their past or fearing things that might happen in the future.  That keeps them from enjoying the present!  Only 30% of each day is spent living in the here and now.  Try to savor everyday moments.

5 Work up a sweat

Exercise is one concrete step you can take that will yield life-changing results.  That endorphin rush boosts your mood and lessens your stress, and it offers long-term health benefits, including lower blood pressure and better bone health.  So get your heart pumping and reap the rewards.

6 Tune out the happy-zapping stuff

When was the last time yoiur watched the TV news and felt uplifted?  Whether you are catching up with world events at home or dealing with problems at work, chances are you encounter a lot of bad news throughout your day.  Try to counteract that negativity.  Taking a yoga class or watching a funny video on YouTube can give you a quick hit of positivity.

7 Surround yourself with upbeat people

If you spend a lot of time with folks who continually gripe, your own outlook will sour, too.  Think of those friends as crabs in a bucket; they're pulling each other down -- and you along with them.  Seek out ones who share your commitment to happiness, and distance yourself from the Debbie Downers.

8 Invest in your family -- 
      Especially your marriage
When you're unhappy and stressed out, the people around you suffer, too, and the gradual deterioration of the situation can leave you feeling under-appreciated and alone.  Just knowing that you have a supportive partner can help you weather the bad times, so make sure that you reconnect everyday with loved ones, and plan a few regular, longer "just us" get-togethers as well.