How To Be Happy

How To Be Happy

What is happiness? Well, happiness is simply a state of mind, and if you are unhappy, you must change your state of mind. There are four things that can alter your state of mind, and these are:

Your Health

Your Relationships

Your Job

Your Finances

HEALTH & HAPPINESS

Bad health is the biggest cause of unhappiness. Make it your resolution to eat healthily and take regular exercise - you know this makes sense but often you need to push yourself to do it. Start today. If you need to diet then start NOW. Don't put if off until tomorrow - you know you're just making excuses because you don't want to diet. Think of all the positive results of dieting - looking and feeling better, feeling and looking younger, attracting new partners, looking good in swimwear, taking part in sports etc. If you need help on dieting get a proven diet plan and stick to it.

Choose to eat healthy foods. Too much fast food or overindulgence in chocolates and cakes will make you sluggish, raise you cholesterol and bring bad health. Take regular exercise, even a half hour brisk walk every day will bring benefits. Exercise gives you a more positive state of mind which lifts depression. Remember "a healthy person is a happy person".

YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

Are you in a bad relationship? This is a major cause of unhappiness. If you do not love your partner (and vice versa) then you should think about changing this. Living with someone you do not love and respect will make you miserable beyond belief and have a detrimental effect on your health. Find a partner who loves you as you do him/her.

Compliment your partner and do things together. Take an interest in his/her work and hobbies and you'll find he/she will respect you for it.

Do you have a friend who is a bad influence on you could be making you do things you don't want to do? A happy person does not have friends like this. Ditch the friend and find someone who does happy things. A good friend will do nice things for you and you'll do nice things for them. Give your friends small gifts, nothing expensive, just "something I thought you'd like". You'll make them happy and it will come back to you.

And let's not forget your family. It's important to tell your family how much you love them. If you've had an argument, try to resolve this before it turns nasty. Never go to bed without resolving any dispute you've had. Do things for them to show you care. This will bring respect and love. Having a loving family who respect you (and you them) is paramount to happiness.

YOUR JOB

If you are in a job you hate, you must look for another. This is another huge cause of unhappiness. You cannot be happy thinking about going to a job you hate. If someone at work is making things difficult for you, try to see a boss about it in confidence. If this doesn't bring results or if the boss is the one that's causing your unhappiness, you must find another job. Start looking for one today. Even the thought of leaving a job you hate can make you feel better, so do something about it today. You can never have happiness if you don't like the job you are in.

If you cant find another job you'd like then think about becoming self-employed. Perhaps you could start something on the internet or develop a hobby or leisure activity into a full time occupation. Start looking for ideas today. Many people have found happiness starting their own business, even small one-man businesses run from home and often using the internet.

YOUR FINANCES

Being in debt will make you very unhappy. Having financial problems is like having a dark cloud above your head wherever you go. You cannot achieve happiness if you are not in control of your finances.

If you have financial troubles seek help. Go to your local debt councillor or a free debt council service. Approach your creditors or seek to change your circumstances so you can come up with an affordable repayment plan. Whatever you do, this is a priority. Do this today and you will be amazed at the burden that is suddenly lifted from your shoulders.

IF YOU FEEL DEPRESSED...

Sit down with a friend or relative and discuss what's making you unhappy. If you cannot do this, write down all your problems on a piece of paper. Then try to resolve these one at a time, day by day, by finding out what you can do to help yourself. The internet is a good place to find advice. The most important thing is to take action NOW. Do it today, don't procrastinate, that will only make matters worse. Problems don't go away by themselves. You need to DO SOMETHING to help yourself.

Keep an appointments book. Look forward to going to a party, watching a favourite TV program or visiting someone you love or admire. Make plans to have a picnic with friends. Organise birthday parties and holidays and talk to your friends on a daily basis - isn't that what the telephone is for?

Listen to the music that makes you happy and avoid music that makes you cry. Keep a diary and read it regularly to remind yourself of the good times you've had. You will also note that the bad times don't last, but merely move on.

AND MOST OF ALL...

Smile and make other people smile - it's infectious and people will like you more. After all, everyone loves a happy person.

Love from Paul Gee

• Make sure you keep good company. False or dodgy people are bad for you and will bring unhappiness. Choose your friends carefully.

• Try to be content. If you cannot change anything, like a lost love or a bad investment, put it behind you and move on. Don't keep a cupboard full of skeletons. Look ahead, not back.

• Don't try to do too much in one day - there's always tomorrow.

• Show consideration to others. Try listening to other people's problems and offering good advice if you can. They will respect and admire you for it.

• No matter what you look like, there's someone out there who loves you.

• Never let anyone talk down to you or intimidate you in any way. Don't show your anger either - anger is ugly. If you feel angry go and chop some logs.

• Tell jokes and laugh at other people's jokes. Laughter is still the best medicine.

• Don't bottle up your grief - have a cry and let it out. You'll feel better afterwards. Talk over your problems with a friend - you'll find talking to someone close to you will help you unload.

• Never give up hope. Always think that there are better days ahead and you will find your beliefs will come true.

• Daydream about things you want to happen - then write down a plan how to achieve these things.

• You are a great person, yes you are. You are kind to others, generous but not carefree, people like you for what you are and not for what you've got.

• Go out and buy yourself something really special because you are a special person, and you have earned a reward. Enjoy!