My goal in 2009 is to laugh more. I am focusing on joking around with my kids, especially during tantrums and learning to discover the optimist in me. This list is taken from the Happiness Project website. She does state that helping others is one of the best ways of boosting your happiness; however, it is not listed as one of the top ten. Maybe that is because we should already be doing that.

10. Take action.
Some people assume happiness is mostly a matter of inborn temperament: You’re born an Eeyore or a Tigger, and that’s that. Taking time to reflect, and conscious steps to make your life happier, really does work.

9. Stop nagging. Replace nagging with…persuasive tools: wordless hints (for example, leaving a new light bulb on the counter); using just one word (saying “Milk!” instead of talking on and on); not insisting that something be done on my schedule; and, most effective of all, doing a task myself.

8. Exercise to boost energy. Exercise is one of the most dependable mood-boosters.

7. There are two types of decision makers. “Satisfiers”- make a decision once their criteria are met. “Maximizers”- want to make the best possible decision. Satisfiers tend to be happier than maximizers. Maximizers expend more time and energy reaching decisions, and they’re often anxious about their choices. Sometimes good enough is good enough.

6. Buy some happiness.
Our basic psychological needs include feeling loved, secure, being good at what we do and having a sense of control. Spend money to stay in closer contact with…family and friends, promote…health, work more efficiently, eliminate sources of irritation and marital conflict; to support important causes; and to have enlarging experiences.

5. Don’t treat the blues with a “treat. The pleasure lasts a minute, but then feelings of guilt and loss of control and other negative consequences deepen the lousiness of the day. Ask whether this will truly make things better.

4. People who do new things are happier than people who stick to familiar activities that they already do well.

3. Fake it till you feel it. Feelings follow actions. Feeling low? Deliberately act cheery and you will yourself actually feeling happier. Feeling angry at someone? Do something thoughtful for them.

2. Expressing anger related to minor, fleeting annoyances just amplifies bad feelings, while not expressing anger often allows it to dissipate.

1. Go to sleep at a decent hour and do not allow yourself to get too hungry.