Want to Be Happy? | 7 Ways to be Happier

We all have those days. Those days where you just feel blurh, a bit meh. Like someone couldn’t pay you to smile. You can’t quite put your finger on it, but something’s not right.

You’re not happy.

It could be one thing, like pesky hormones, or it could be the seasons changing, your work or love life getting you down. You don’t even have to have a reason for that ‘cant find your smile’ feeling.

Even if you can’t quite work out why you are feeling unhappy and just want to be happy, we are here to help.

We put our heads together at Our Remedy HQ to think about what makes us truly happy when we’re feeling a bit flat. Whether you’ve been feeling unhappy for a few hours or a few years, we hope these tips will help you feel brighter.

Want to be happy? 7 things that make us happy

1. Exercise

It might feel like the last thing we feel like doing, but exercise is a proven mood booster. In fact, it is so powerful that studies have found exercise to treat mild to moderate depression.

Not only that, but regularly engaging in something that we are good at, maybe dancing, football, running, lifting heavy stuff, is a great way to feel good about ourselves.

You can always get better at sport and exercise too!

For a quick fix when you want to be happy, I aim for a dose of happiness enhancing endorphins by going to the gym, doing a class, running or just firing up Youtube and doing a home workout. We love a Joe Wicks 20 minute HIIT for our sins!

2. Talk to someone

Sometimes calling up your best friend and just telling them you need cheering up can be the best medicine.

We find that just by chatting to them about their day might help to lift our mood. Even better if they have a funny story or maybe their own drama that can take the focus off ours.

3. Step away from your phone

Phones are brilliant. You’re probably reading this on a phone right now. But sometimes they can be our worst enemy. We open up Insta and automatically start comparing ourselves to others. Or maybe we get a dose of impostor syndrome.

When I’ve been going through low periods and have a want to be happy, I delete apps from my phone that don’t make me feel good, or set time limits so I can’t disappear down a deep dark hole of people with seemingly perfect lives and the bodies to match.

It isn’t only the apps either. We can get bogged down in Watsapp groups about problems which isn’t going to help our mood.

Sometimes a walk without our phone can really boost our mood. Certainly an activity to consider when we want to be happy.

1. Exercise

It might feel like the last thing you feel like doing, but exercise is a proven mood booster. In fact, it is so powerful that studies have found exercise to treat mild to moderate depression.

Not only that, but regularly engaging in something that you are good at, maybe dancing, football, running, lifting heavy stuff, is a great way to feel good about yourself. When it comes to sports and exercise it is something that you can get better at too when you master it.

When I first went for a run I passed out after 500m and had to go home. I persevered with my running and went on to run 10k’s and half marathons. Getting those medals after knowing where I started really did make me feel happy. If you want to be happy you might look to mastering a new skill to make you feel good about yourself.

For a quick fix when you want to be happy, aim for a dose of happiness enhancing endorphins you might go to the gym, do a class, run or just fire up Youtube and do a home workout. We love a Joe Wicks 20 minute HIIT for our sins!

2. Talk to someone

Sometimes calling up your best friend and just telling them you need cheering up can be the best medicine. Just chatting to them about their day might help to lift your mood. Even better if they have a funny story for you or maybe their own drama that can take the focus off yours.

3. Step away from your phonePhones are brilliant. You’re probably reading this on a phone right now. But sometimes they can be our worst enemy. We open up Insta and automatically start comparing ourselves to others. Or maybe you get a dose of impostor syndrome.

You might not have even noticed that your phone is a problem when it comes to wanting to be happy. When I’ve been going through low periods I delete apps from my phone that don’t make me feel good, or set time limits so I can’t disappear down a deep dark hole of people with seemingly perfect lives and the bodies to match.

It isn’t only the apps either. It could be that you’re feeling low because of a family or friendship issue. If you’re bogged down in Watsapp groups about the problems it isn’t going to help your mood.

Sometimes a walk without your phone can really boost your mood. Certainly an activity to consider when you want to be happ

4. Have some you time
Time to focus on you. When did you last have a long soak in the bath with your favorite book? Or cosy up on the sofa with your favourite TV show and a hot chocolate?

Take some time to look after yourself. Sometimes we are so busy looking after other people that we forget about ourselves. Some jobs even require so much positive energy that it can be really draining, leading to you feeling a little low yourself.

I have to remember “Look after yourself, just like you do others.”

5. Daylight

Getting outside in daylight can both improve our mood and stabilise circadian rhythms, which can help us sleep better. Better sleep = less tired = happier.

One member of our team suffers from SAD (seasonal affective disorder) during the winter months when the light just never seems to come. They love using a SAD lamp. These lamps are a form of light therapy that are designed to help boost your mood. She just sits by the light box for about 30 minutes to an hour every day.

6. Watch something you love

Want to be happy? We boost your mood by watching something we love. Something that makes us feel inspired, energised or just something that gives us a good giggle. My go to is Frozen. My husbands is Shrek. If either of us are tuning in to these films we know the other needs a little TLC.

7. Keep perspective

There has been research into how the act of writing down just 3 good things that happened to you that day can increase your happiness. It doesn’t have to be massive things, something that makes me happy is getting a yellow sticker deal at the supermarket. That would certainly make my list!

When we’re not feeling happy it is very normal to focus on the negative things. Writing down some positives will help us to keep perspective. Even if we’re having a sh*t show of a week, at least we can look back on it and remember how we got those sticky toffee brownies on quick sale for 20p.

4. Have some you time
Time to focus on you. When did you last have a long soak in the bath with your favorite book? Or cosy up on the sofa with your favourite TV show and a hot chocolate with CBD oil? The addition of CBD oil to your hot choc adds a minty flavour and may encourage your body to use serotonin, that mood boosting natural chemical.

Look after yourself, just like you do others.

5. Daylight

Getting outside in daylight can both improve our mood and stabilise circadian rhythms, which can help you sleep better. Better sleep = less tired = happier.

Hey, if sleep is an issue make sure you have a read of our natural sleep supplements.

If you are someone who suffers from SAD (seasonal affective disorder) during those winter months when the light just never seems to come, it might be worth looking at a SAD lamp. These lamps are a form of light therapy that are designed to help boost your mood. You just have to sit by the light box for about 30 minutes to an hour every day.

6. Watch something you love

Want to be happy? Boost your mood by watching something you love. Something that makes you feel inspired, energised or just something that gives you a good giggle. My go to is Frozen. My husbands is Shrek. If either of us are tuning in to these films we know the other needs a little TLC.

7. Keep perspective

When you’re not feeling happy it is very normal to focus on the negative things. Writing down some positives will help you to keep perspective. Even if you’re having a sh*t show of a week, at least you can look back on it and remember how you got those sticky toffee brownies on quick sale for 20p.

There you have it, 7 things we do when we want to be happy. This stuff makes us smile a little more, we hope it does you too.

Lots of love,

Our Remedy xxx

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