1. Get into a hobby.  It’s been proven that people who participate in a hobby of some kind are happier.  Find something you enjoy and lose yourself and your worries to it for a few hours every week.
2. Establish good sleep habits.  If you find yourself staying up later and getting up earlier; chances are you are not giving your body and mind enough rest to rejuvenate.  Being tired contributes to unhappiness, as well as general moodiness and feeling cranky.  Work on getting 7 or 8 hours of sleep every night and notice the difference.
3. Create your own reality.  Do you hate your job?  Unhappy with a partner?  Take action; you are the creator of your own reality.  Start taking steps to find a job that you will enjoy; seek counseling or other means of dealing with an unsatisfying relationship.  When you do nothing, you are deciding to be unhappy.
4. Time for yourself.  Personal growth is often overlooked in terms of importance.  Everyone needs some “me” time, even if it’s only a few minutes at the end of every day to reflect on your day, how you feel, and how you can improve certain things the next day.
5. Write in a journal.  More specifically, keep a gratitude journal, one that you write down everything you are happy about and thankful for.  Read it whenever you’re feeling down to remind yourself of the positive and good things you have in your life.
6. Exercise.  There is no question that exercise offers numerous benefits to your life, from becoming or maintaining a physically fit, healthy lifestyle, to releasing the “feel good” endorphins hiding in your brain.  Exercise is a key to happiness – start slowly if you’re out of shape, and within a few weeks, you will notice a difference in the way you feel.
7. Stop comparing yourself to someone else.  Everyone is different, and it’s not possible to compare apples to oranges.  Happy people compare themselves and their achievements against the obstacles they’ve overcome to reach their achievements.
8. Get some sun.  If you get a lunch break, try to get outdoors for some sunlight.  Sunlight has a mood-boosting effect, just be sure to use sunscreen for lengthy exposure to the sun’s rays.
9. Learn to say no.  If you are overworked, stressed, and stretched to your limits and someone asks you to do something with them or for them- learn to say no!  You can’t do everything all the time, and it really is ok to say no sometimes.
10. Donate and downsize.  Most people have clutter in their homes.  You may not realize it, but clutter can really effect how you feel.  Donate the things you no longer need to people who do need them, you’ll feel good about helping someone out, but you’ll also feel better in an environment with less clutter.
11. Laugh.  Have you ever heard “Laughter is the best medicine”?  It’s true! If you are feeling a little down, the best thing you can do is laugh.  Go to a comedy show or movie and let the laughter out.  You’ll start feeling better immediately.

11 Ways to Be Happier was created by and is property of American Consumer News.