3 can't-miss tips to brighten your day

Feeling frustrated? Stressed? Gloomy? I've been there myself. Whether we're at work or home, it's normal for negative thoughts to permeate our thinking, leading to depression, anxiety, and other unpleasant health outcomes.

Here are 3 proven tricks for turning that frown upside down:

1. Just smile: Research shows that merely smiling for no reason can raise your spirits in a big way. In fact, studies have found that when subjects smiled while talking to someone on the phone, the people on the other end perceived the subjects as being in a good mood.

2. Focus your attention on what makes you happy: Seeking out positive, feel-good stimuli allows you to mentally disconnect from your troubles, even if only for a minute or two. For example, I have always had a soft spot for animals. When I'm down in the dumps at work, nothing changes my attitude for the better like seeing pictures or videos of baby animals, whether they be kittens, puppies, or pandas. In your case, it might be pictures of your kids; portraits of an unspoiled, picturesque island; or a stuffed animal you've owned since childhood. Redirecting your attention to things that bring you a sense of joy and comfort cancels out negative thoughts and feelings. Repeat this process several times a day for better results.

3. Laugh to your heart's content: The benefits of laughter cannot be overstated. Studies have found that people who laugh more generally live longer. Whenever I get the opportunity, I look for something -- anything -- that could make me chuckle. Maybe it's a picture of me wearing a silly costume on Halloween, a hilarious prank video on YouTube, or one of my co-worker's funny stories. We all love to laugh for a reason -- it puts us in a happier mood.

So the next time you feel your day could use boost, give one of the above suggestions a try. You just might find your disposition a lot sunnier thereafter.

Do you ever employ any of these techniques when you're feeling a little down? Have they worked for you?

There are so many other posts for you to check out. Simply click here: How to Understand People

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