7 Ways to Feel Happier in Next Five Minutes

1. Appreciate the Little Things

Having an attitude of gratitude for the small stuff leads to other positive emotions and boosts a feeling of happiness. Like, did you thank your mom for cooking that awesome dinner last night or remember to feel blessed that you have an amazing circle of friends? 

It can start with little observations, like enjoying a walk, beautiful weather, going over everything you've achieved...also, writing a 'thank-you' note or keeping a gratitude journal can help you to cultivate that sense of thankfulness in your daily life.

2. Sweat It Out

Apart from giving you a healthy body, exercising helps you to stay positive and happy. Being physically active helps to release endorphins, which are basically feel-good chemicals and help improve your mood. So, next time you're feeling low, instead of crashing on the couch—​ go outside and take a stroll!

3. Smile

According to science, when you smile (where your cheeks come up), the muscles in face send signals to your brain that helps to create a better mood. Say cheeeeeeese!

4. Spread Joy

Doing something good for someone else definitely increases personal happiness and boosts positivity. Feeding a stray, sharing your meal, helping an old man cross a busy road, or spending time at an orphanage—​ these simple things make you feel good about yourself.

In fact, according to studies, happiness is contagious. When one person is happy, it spreads to people around him/her. 

6. Write It Down

Writing actually helps you to air your feelings and yes, there's nobody to judge you in this personal space. Research suggests that writing down your negative feelings on paper (not on a laptop), and throwing it away actually makes you feel good and lets you vent out all the bad feels.

7. Log Out of Facebook and Meet a Friend

Think beyond your friends in the virtual world, and call on your bestie who truly understands you. As per a study conducted by University of Michigan on 82 participants for two weeks, the more time the participants spent time on social networking websites, the more their life satisfaction levels declined. On the other hand, participants who had direct interaction with friends, whether over a call or meeting—​ actually felt better with time.