As awesome as it feels to purchase that sleek pair of boots or trendy new jacket you’ve been lusting after, sometimes window-shopping can be super fun on its own. Strolling casually through stores, by yourself or with friends, is a way to browse guilt-free, while sticking to your budgeting or saving goals. You can think about what you like and don’t like and look for low-cost alternatives later on, or make a mental list of what to save up for! Another option is filling up your online shopping cart without clicking the “check out” button. Either way, you still experience a bit of a “shopper’s high” and enjoy the thrill of hunting for the perfect items.
Prepping breakfasts, lunches, and/or dinners frees up a lot of time for doing the things you really enjoy. Not only do you nix the mental battle of wondering what to eat (and whether you even have the energy to cook) when mealtime rolls around, you’re also likely to eat more nutritious options, as they are already made and ready to eat. Set aside a couple of hours to plan your meals for the week and do all the shopping, chopping, and cooking. You can also find easy meal plan and prep guides online, as well as tons of meal prep cookbooks. Both your wallet and your waistline will thank you, and you’ll feel good about the effort you put in.
You might already know that healthy fats are good for your heart, but they are also good for your mood. Studies show that healthy fats reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression—a perfect reason to add foods like salmon, chia seeds, extra-virgin olive oil, and nuts into your diet.
Switch up your look for a couple days—or weeks—with a temporary tattoo. It’s super fun, and a good way to test what you like before exploring the real deal! Most options cost just a few dollars, and there are tons of options, from simple floral designs and text to full sleeves and detailed images. Relish expressing yourself with body art, no strings attached.
Think about the things that might be getting in the way of your happiness right now and set a small goal to help you feel happier. For example, if loneliness has been getting you down, set a goal to make one new friend in the next month. And if a bad diet is making you feel sluggish and negative about your body, make it your goal to check out a nutrition class at your local hospital or gym. Make it something simple and attainable that you can do now.
When you’re one hundred percent focused on an activity, the time just seems to fly by. And as you work, you feel more and more energized and engaged, while filling up the space where negative thoughts or feelings might otherwise creep in. This is what psychologists call “flow”: a mental state of being that occurs when you commit your mind completely to something (like running a 5K or drawing a picture). The more time you spend in a state of flow, the less time you have for thoughts that bring you down.
Celebrating others’ triumphs—especially in those instances when it feels easy to get caught up in envy—builds optimism and helps you practice kindness and affirmation. Plus, when it’s you on the receiving end of a job well done, you want the people in your life to support you, right?
Nurturing the different relationships in your life is a huge part of happiness, and giving someone your full attention is an easy way to improve your connection and promote better communication skills overall. When people feel like they are being heard, they hold more positive emotions toward you. So lend an ear: You’ll be surprised by how far it can go for everyone involved.