LIVE WITH LESS

Minimalism (think capsule wardrobes and Marie Kondo) has become popular, and for good reason: It is a simple way to experience the happiness of feeling truly content with what you have, rather than focusing on what you don’t have. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with owning stuff, or buying something you want; it only becomes problematic when you begin to assign too much meaning to material things, or find yourself getting caught up in always having the latest and greatest.

In her book, Jen Hatmaker describes a seven-month experiment in which she made intentional choices to embrace minimalism. She wore the same seven articles of clothing for a given month, ate the same seven foods, gave away seven things each day, got rid of seven forms of media (TV, Twitter, radio, etc.), adopted seven sustainable habits, spent money in the same seven places, and took seven pauses a day to reflect on all of these choices. At the end of the experiment, she found that practicing minimalism helped her focus on the stuff she truly cared most about. It was a freeing experience that brought more happiness into her life.

Okay, so Hatmaker’s approach is a bit extreme, but you don’t need to commit to a lifestyle overhaul to reap the benefits of living with less. You can simply cut down on the number of streaming services you subscribe to, own three pairs of jeans instead of eight, or get rid of that second set of measuring cups you never use.

GET A FULL NIGHT’S SLEEP

Experts agree: More sleep leads to more happiness. Prioritizing six to eight hours of shut-eye per night helps with your attention span, ability to remember things, and decision-making skills, as well as your overall mood. Adjust your schedule so you can get a revitalizing amount of sleep every night.

PICK A HAPPY SOUND

From calls and calendar reminders to emails and text messages—your phone is constantly pinging with new notifications. Rather than a boring buzz or ding, change the notification sound to something uplifting or funny; every time your phone goes off, you’ll feel the urge to smile.

SET AN INTENTION FOR THE DAY

How you approach your day affects how you feel throughout it. Set an intention each day that helps you focus on positive thoughts and feelings. Deciding “I am going to have a positive attitude” goes a long way, especially in those less-than-wonderful moments, like when a driver cuts you off in traffic.

SAY A SILLY WORD IN A GRUMPY VOICE

Guess what: It’s really hard to stay in a bad mood when you use a funny voice to talk about it. No, really! The next time you’re feeling cranky, say it in a silly way—very slowly in a soft whisper, loudly and dramatically like you’re an actor in a play, or with a bad accent. Chances are high you’ll start smiling.

DARE TO DREAM

It’s way easy to worry about the worst possible thing that might happen when you’re facing the unknown. Instead, challenge yourself to imagine what the best-case scenario looks like. You can even close your eyes to focus on every little detail of the ideal outcome. Not only is it an instant mood-booster, but it also reminds you to think positively more often in your daily life.

PLACE YOUR HAND ON YOUR HEART

If you find yourself feeling stressed or down in the dumps, take a second to put your hand over your heart. Feel your heartbeat, and use it as a reminder of the fact that you are alive. Through all of your struggles and triumphs, your body is working hard to keep you here, and that’s something worth celebrating.

READ A BIOGRAPHY

Anytime you’re hyper-focused on what seems to be going wrong in your own life, it can help to get out of your head by reading about somebody else’s life. You’ll discover lessons from their experiences and may feel comforted in learning that someone else has dealt with some of the same problems you are going through. Yep, famous people (even from hundreds of years ago) also experience ups and downs—you’re not alone!

SCREAM

It might seem a little odd, but screaming can be super therapeutic, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed. There’s something about the physical act of releasing tension—and honestly, doing something that you might feel you’re not “supposed” to do—that takes the edge off and lifts your spirits. Just be sure you don’t alarm anyone around you; head outside or yell into a pillow.

FORGIVE SOMEONE

It’s normal to feel upset when someone hurts or angers you. However, when you hold on to that pain or frustration, it becomes a weight that moves with you from day to day, keeping you from truly feeling happy. Release that weight by making the decision to forgive them and move on.