5 Happiness Secrets

I was looking forward to going to a posh event recently. Before the big event, I had my makeup done by a great artist and planned a nice lunch with my sister right after. During the course of the lunch I laughed so hard I cried most of my makeup off. Oh well, a casualty of happiness and one of the secrets to feeling good long term.

Happiness researchers have pointed out that along with having more than ever to choose from these days more people are finding themselves feeling, well…crappy. The good news is the secrets to happy are easier than you think.  

Here are five of my favorite happiness secrets:

Recall good times. When you do reminisce with someone it helps prolong your happiness and makes the memory of the event even stronger.

Take time to smell the baby…creating strong visual memories is great but when they connect to specific details like scent it helps you to savor the moment. When you are looking back on those baby booties or sweater you may actual recall the smell from your child. Or even the cologne your hubby wore on your first date.  

Pat yourself of the back. Compliments can keep us going. And they don’t need to come from someone else. Congratulate yourself on the big and small accomplishments that you have from cleaning out that junk drawer to losing those 5 or whatever pounds.

Be off the hook. Not only should you have fun with all that you do, you must let yourself off the hook. Stop cringing every time you think back on that OMG moment when you tripped, had lettuce in your teeth or had your skirt tucked into your stockings at work. OMG moments should be just that: a moment of angst then move on. What’s the point in beating yourself up? Oh and you still don’t have Heidi Klum’s figure yet? Focusing on our flaws overshadows those beautiful qualities we all have. And if you are a Mom it is a guarantee someone else thinks you are hot. Focus on what is good and what you can do moving forward.

Fail Fabulously. A secret to happiness is being willing to fail. What we think of as “failure” is really just a step in getting us closer to our life goals.