In today’s modern, fast-paced world it’s really hard sometimes to unplug from the stresses and strains of life to find things that make us happy. As adults we have a lot to deal with; bills to pay, children to feed and errands to run. For many of us it’s really easy to be down and unhappy about life. Sometimes there’s nothing better than just having time dedicated solely to the act of making you happy.
So here’s a list of 10 great things that don’t cost anything that you can do today to make you happy. All they cost is time. You’ve got some of that right?
1. Watch a great film
Pick something you really like. It doesn’t have to be something that makes you really think or even be a tear jerker; it might be just a good fun film or a kids film that takes you back to your youth. Whatever brings a smile to your face will work.
2. Do some exercise
Nothing gets those endorphines pumping through your brain than some exercise. Get yourself up and going. Go for a run, go for a swim, or go for a walk. Hit the gym for an hour or so and burn up those calories that have been hanging around since the holidays. Whatever you end up doing, you’ll feel great afterward.
3. Cuddle up with someone you love
Just sitting and chilling on the sofa with the one you love is a great way to make you feel happy. I love it when I can cuddle up on the sofa with my girls or my wife. We talk or watch TV or simply just sit together and let time pass us by.
4. Listen to some great music
You know the feeling when that great song comes on the radio? It can take you back to a different time, invoking long lost fond memories or can lift you up out of your negativity and put a smile on your face. Personally I love to put on my favorite tracks on during the drive to work on a cold and miserable Monday morning.
5. Be grateful
A sure fire way to fix a smile on your face and give you a nice warm feeling in your belly, is to think about what you’re grateful for. Are you grateful for your family, your kids, your job, your house, your health, your car, your safety, your friends or simply that you have the privilege to take breathe every day? Try thinking about what you’re grateful now and see for yourself how it makes you feel.
6. Read a good book
Find a chair, pick up a page turner and just read. Try that book you haven’t managed to get to yet or reread that classic that you can always immerse yourself in. My favourites are the fantasy novels by David Gemmell. As soon as I turn over the first page, I’m transported away to another time and place. They never fail to make me feel happy.
7. Write
6 months ago, I wouldn’t have put this down on my list of 10 things to make you happy. However, since starting 6aliens.com back in November of 2009 I’ve found the joy that can be found from writing. Even if I’m not writing a post, there’s fun to be had in pouring out your consciousness on to the page, even if it’s to be outlet for all your thoughts. You don’t need to publish anything but just getting your thoughts and ideas out of your head can really brighten your day.
8. Laugh
Go on you know it makes you feel better. Watch a funny film. Go see a comedy show. Or just jump to no 9.
–The Health Benefits of Humor and Laughter
9. Call an old friend
You know that friend you haven’t spoken to in ages? The one you’re always promising yourself that you’ll call? Remember those laughs you used to have, the shared jokes and memories that help to strengthen your friendship? So instead of remembering, pick up the phone and have a catch up with that someone who always makes you smile and has a good laugh with you about old times.
10. Meditate
This one I’ve been work on for a while. I recently tried to reset my mediation habit by making sure that I take time to sit with my thoughts once a day. When I do I always feel happier and more content with things afterward. Try it for yourself. Even if you don’t manage to clear your thoughts in the time you have, just allow yourself to process the thoughts and ideas so your brain can make sense of everything swimming around up there.
————————————————————————————————————————–
About the Author: I’m Ben Lumley, a blogger from the UK who writes about self development at 6aliens.com. Why not connect with me on Twitter @benlumley6 or if you liked this article then why not subscribe to my RSS Feed?
Would you like to write a guest post for ilcantone.com? Submit your idea.
————————————————————————————————————————–
Now, I’m looking to you for some wisdom:
Use the comments section of this post as a forum to share your own experiences, opinions and thoughts on this subject.
Share your thoughts & ideas and enjoy what others share with you 🙂
————————————————————————————————————————
Ben Lumley
// Feb 1, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Thanks for the chance to guest post with you man.
When I restarted blogging a while a go I checked out your site and it went on my lists I’d like to write something for one day. Today I achieved that! Thanks man.
.-= Ben Lumley´s last blog ..Don’t make me think. Email hacks to make you more productive =-.
David | ilcantone.com
// Feb 1, 2010 at 9:17 pm
It’s been a real pleasure. You are always welcome to write again whenever you like.
I wish you good luck with the post and I hope the readers enjoy it as much as I did.
Take care.
Ryan
// Feb 1, 2010 at 9:29 pm
Ben,
I appreciate your insight. I follow most of these tips myself.
Walking has been a great way for me to keep myself in a high vibration. At least 4-5 times a week I go for an hour long walk. Today is was about an hour and a half.
Another way to keep yourself happy is to appreciate nature. Find a park bench or go for a hike. Forget everything else except the trees, animals, and anything else organic. Dwelling on Perfection elicits a feeling which can’t be created by humans.
.-= Ryan´s last blog ..Cash Gifting IRS Legal Call =-.
Ben Lumley
// Feb 2, 2010 at 11:19 am
Hey Ryan, thanks for leaving a comment.
Yeah I love walking especially in nature. Where I live I’m literally in the countryside and can be rambling across fields within minutes.
My folks live near the mountain and my sister lives near the sea so I’m pretty fortunate with the amount of nature I have access to.
.-= Ben Lumley´s last blog ..Don’t make me think. Email hacks to make you more productive =-.
Anthony Feint
// Feb 2, 2010 at 10:07 am
I think I watched the wrong sort of film today….it had the opposite effect.
Writing often works for me…hitting the publish button in WordPress makes me happy!
.-= Anthony Feint´s last blog ..The Simple Art of Being Persuasive Online =-.
Ben Lumley
// Feb 2, 2010 at 5:45 pm
Hey Anthony – what did you watch?
Yeah I’ve developed the same thing writing recently – it gives me a very nice buzz
.-= Ben Lumley´s last blog ..Don’t make me think. Email hacks to make you more productive =-.
Marko
// Feb 2, 2010 at 10:48 am
Hi Ben,
Good list of easy to implement stuff to nudge you on the way to happiness.
Speaking from my own experience, happiness is really easy to achieve once you’ve taken responsibility for it.
And as you stated, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
.-= Marko´s last blog ..Space Night — A Tribute Music Video =-.
Ben Lumley
// Feb 2, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Hey Marko
Glad you liked the list.
Completely agree – you have to take responsibility for it. Happiness is a choice. You can make the choice to be sad or happy.
I always choose happy.
.-= Ben Lumley´s last blog ..Don’t make me think. Email hacks to make you more productive =-.
Antti Kokkonen
// Feb 2, 2010 at 2:15 pm
As a bonus, if you want to feel productive while having fun, set your self a “goal” to have fun and be happy today…
After watching a good movie and a few laughs, or using other great tips from the list, you’ve had fun and hopefully you’re happy too – pat yourself in the back and congratulate yourself on achieving your goals = super-happy day 🙂
.-= Antti Kokkonen´s last blog ..A Secret to Making Money Online =-.
Ben Lumley
// Feb 2, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Love this idea Antti!
I’m going to do this. And such an easy goal to achieve too.
.-= Ben Lumley´s last blog ..Don’t make me think. Email hacks to make you more productive =-.
Marc Winitz
// Feb 2, 2010 at 11:12 pm
A great list. I’ll add “cook and eat something delicious”…it always makes me happy. Good thing you have the workout bit in there 🙂
Ben Lumley
// Feb 3, 2010 at 9:29 pm
Hey Marc
Food is a good one. Can’t beat an awesome meal
to make you happy.
Yeah exercise, especially doing my martial arts forms is a great way to make me happy
.-= Ben Lumley´s last blog ..Music: The Soundtrack to life =-.
Ralph
// Feb 4, 2010 at 8:14 pm
How about Make somebody happy. It is like your call a friend but more general. Make anybody happy with as little as a smile.
.-= Ralph´s last blog ..Success is a process not a destination! =-.
Ben Lumley
// Feb 4, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Yeah sure thing Ralph – making someone else smile is a great way to make yourself happy.
I wrote a post called 7 ways to get yourself out of a slump that includes this very point.
Thanks for the comment
.-= Ben Lumley´s last blog ..Music: The Soundtrack to life =-.
winnie
// Feb 6, 2010 at 10:56 am
Great list, cuddling would be at the top of my list this weekend…alas!!! maybe someday again.
Ben Lumley
// Feb 6, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Glad you enjoyed the list – hope you’re ok
.-= Ben Lumley´s last blog ..Everything I Need to Know About Personal Discovery I Learned from Anime =-.
Saksham Talwar
// Feb 9, 2010 at 9:26 am
I loved the idea of calling an old friend! I did so today and really enjoyed chatting with him. It will really make your mind happy!
Ben Lumley
// Feb 9, 2010 at 10:06 am
Hey that’s great my friend!
Does make you feel good though doesn’t it?
.-= Ben Lumley´s last blog ..Be a beginner =-.
Looking back over the last 60 days | 6 Aliens // Mar 19, 2010 at 6:13 am
[…] 10 things to make you happy today […]
Dan Black
// Apr 7, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Thank you for sharing the ten. They are all great ways to re-energize and lift a person up. These are ten great ways to keep going. I have recently posted a blog about 10 nourishment centers which talk about re-boosting and jump-starting a persons life. A few of the things you have mentioned I also did and agree with all of what you have posted.
.-= Dan Black´s last blog ..Leading with Character =-.
Ben
// Apr 11, 2010 at 6:01 am
Thanks Dan. I’m glad you enjoyed it
TDB
// Jun 30, 2010 at 1:13 pm
I agree! doing some exercise can make you happy although it’s not usually for most of us. hehe
Ben
// Jul 1, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Thanks glad some of these resonated with you.
Exercise does make you happy but I’m yet to find someone who feels the benefit during the pain and exhaustion lol
mark tyrrell
// Jul 13, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Hi Ben thanks for a great Blog. I was looking at research recently (conducted by Nicholas Christakis of Harvard Medical school) that shows how happiness (among such other things as obesity/slimness, and even divorce) gather in social clusters. So the more happy people you know the more likely you are to be/become happy yourself. So I guess another tips my be ‘Get to know and hang out with happy people’. Although I think your call an old friend tip partly has this covered. Keep up the good work, Mark
Ben
// Jul 14, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Thanks Mark
Jim Rohn said “you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.” So if you spend time with lots of happy people you’ll be more likely to be happy
Ben Lang
// Sep 27, 2010 at 12:46 am
Love it, going to watch a film as we speak, going to make me happy 🙂
mary
// Apr 20, 2011 at 2:34 pm
This blog has inspired and helped me today – thank you so much for posting this post in particular. Keep up the excellent writing! You’re making such a difference!
joneric
// Sep 14, 2011 at 9:47 pm
If they don’t cost a thing, but they do cost time, isn’t that still a cost? HAHA I have jokes.
Seriously though a very good list of things to do. I especially love the music, book reading, exercise and time with a loved one.