How to smile every day: 20 things that will make you smile, laugh and feel happy

How to smile every day? Let's stay away from far-fetched banter and look at real-life practical ways to bring about a smile or a burst of laughter on an otherwise boring day. Going beyond merely reading quotes that make you smile, this post gives you ideas on things you can actually do to lighten up and feel happy.

1) Look at pictures of cute cats on the internet

Looking at cute cat pictures is the easiest way to smile every day. Simply scout for a website or a Facebook page that uploads cute picture of kitties every day. These tender and lovable pictures can often make even the most tough people go weak in the knees, even if they don't admit it.

Cats somehow make for perfect photo opportunities whether they are perched on top of posts, playing with feather toys and other gifts, cuddling next to a fireplace, lounging on cat scratchers or simply doing nothing at all. A cute cat picture is likely to bring an instant smile to your face regardless of whether you like cats or not.

2) Talk to an old friend

Picking up the phone and talking to an old friend is bound to make you smile. Don't confuse this with merely getting in touch with an old pal on Facebook or Twitter. It is one thing to have an old friend on your Facebook friend list and a different thing to actually pick up the phone and actually talk to him or her.

From how you were completely into the hipster lifestyle in your teens to how you used to waste time playing video games together, chatting away with a childhood friend and refreshing old memories will instantly bring a smile to your face. Chances are that you will still be smiling for a while even after you have finished talking on the phone.

3) Listen to a song with which you associate your best memories

A sure shot way to smile every day is to plug-in your earphones and tune into your favorite song. Everyone is likely to have good memories associated with their favorite song. These memories can range from listening to it while partying the night out with friends or listening to it while embracing a former girlfriend or boyfriend. Zoom into your memories, feel inspired or simply welcome yet another beautiful day in your life with a sunny song.

4) Watch funny videos on YouTube

YouTube is strewn with millions of funny videos of embarrassing moments, bloopers and more. Log onto YouTube every day to check a silly video to bring about a smile, chuckle or laugh. Shortlist and subscribe to some of your favorite channels so you can tune into a funny video just when you need it.

5) Read inspirational quotes or sayings

Be on your way to carrying a smiling face by reading inspirational messages in the morning. Whether it is a tender poem, inspirational quote or a simple yet funny good morning message from a friend, these little things can make a big difference in your attitude for the rest of the day.

6) Flip through all the pictures in your iPhone

A New Year's Eve Party, celebrating your brother's birthday, lying down on a beach in Hawaii or building a snowman during Christmas are the kind of memories that you can revisit on your iPhone or any other smartphone.

You are likely to have taken thousands of pictures if you have owned your iPhone for a long time. These pictures are droplets of memories which will instantly tickle you with happiness and make you smile.

7) Try a new hairstyle

It may be impractical to try a new hairstyle every day. But you can try a new hairdo every now and then to feel pretty and sexy from within. Smiling from the inside can come naturally if you feel good and feel confident.

You are bound to attract compliments from friends, classmates and colleagues when they see your new hairstyle which is likely to leave you smiling and blushing.

8) Check out some pictures of your celebrity crush

Smiling everyday can become very easy by checking out some pictures of your favorite celebrities from the internet, magazines or newspapers. Whether you are a diehard fan of the One Direction Boys, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Hugh Jackman, Taylor Swift or Leonardo DiCaprio, you can smile every day by going through pictures of your celebrity crush.

9) Read a joke in print

Electronic media and social media have made it easier for jokes and funny stories to be shared. But when was the last time you purposely picked up that book of silly jokes or logged on to a niche website dedicated to short funny stories?

Get into the habit of reading one or two so you can smile every day. Dust off that big fat book of 101 silly jokes or go online to a website which has a collection of jokes.

10) Say hello to your neighbor when you step outside the house

It is amazing how the slightest form of positive interaction can help you kick start your day. The key to smiling everyday may not necessarily require you to put too much effort. It often lies in the most simplest of things.

Make it a point to say hello to the neighbors when you pull your car out the driveway or are walking to the bus stop. An informal hi or hello may help you make small talk as you exchange pleasantries.

11) Chat with the cashier at the till of a gas station or supermarket

Have you given a thought as to how you behave when you pay for your gas or pay for your groceries at the checkout in supermarkets? If you carry a bland attitude every time, you could be missing out on an opportunity to not only smile yourself, but bring a smile on someone else's face too.

The next time you go to the gas station or visit a supermarket, have a friendly chat with the cashier at the till as you pay up. They may be trained to smile at their customers forcefully out of protocol, but it will make you smile back. A quick conversation may be just the chuckle you needed after a long and tiring day.

12) Cook a little something special for someone special

Whether you are a good cook or not, this tip will make you smile either way. Attempt to churn up a special dish for someone – whether it is your roommate, friend, girlfriend, boyfriend, wife, husband, partner or parent.

Regardless of whether your dish turns out to be the lip smacking meal or not, you and the person devouring it are likely to be bursting at the seams amidst a special meal. Don't forget to top off the meal with a nice glass of red.

13) Dance to PSY's Gangnam Style

Dancing can make the world go round even for people who have two left feet. Ride the bandwagon of doing the horse style dance to PSY's Gangnam Style. Get your family or friends to join you in your dance routine and watch everyone break into peals of smiles and laughter.

14) Keep your favorite chocolate or candy bar tucked away in your bag

Munching on your favorite chocolate bar or a candy can be just the respite you needed during a busy day. If you are feeling the strain and pressure of a numbing day at school or work, simply reach into the pocket of your backpack or satchel where you keep a stash of your favorite treat fix.

It is believed that food tingles your happy hormones and the fact that you sneakily pulled out a chocolate bar in the middle of a meeting or a classroom presentation will instantly bring a smile to your face.

15) Browse through your favorite shopping portal and add items to your wish list

It takes only 2 minutes to browse through the latest arrivals or the best selling products under a category on your favorite shopping portal.

Most people are likely to have an account on Amazon.com and if you have one too, simply log on and scroll through your favorite category. Check out the new arrivals or the top selling items and add them to your wish list. You will be amazed at how excited you can get by simply knowing that you have added the newest iPhone or the trendiest pair of denims to your dream shopping list.

16) Read an old greeting card

It would be really nice to pick out an old card that you may have received years back. It could be an I Love You card from a girlfriend or a comic birthday wish, all you need to do to crack a smile is savor the feeling of the precise moment when you received the card.

17) Subscribe to a blog and visit it daily

Smiling every day can be as simple as reading a new post on your favorite blog. Keep bookmarking interesting blogs as you browse every day and narrow down to a select few that you would want to check up on.

Begin your day by visiting that blog and looking at the latest post. In no time, you are likely to relate to the writer and this little pleasure of life could become a staple part of your routine.

18) Shout out to your Facebook friends and Twitter followers

A simple Facebook status update or a tweet along the lines of 'How's everyone feeling today?' could be all it takes to start a jolly online discussion with your friends and followers. Chances are that there will be at least a couple of bored social media junkies who will pounce at the opportunity to engage in some friendly banter.

19) Challenge a friend to a game of tic-tac-toe

Tic-tac-toe was a major source of time pass and entertainment when there were no iPhones, smartphones, iPads, iPods or other gadgets. Years have gone by but the fun of a quick tic-tac-toe challenge will probably never fizzle out.

Whether you are sitting in a cafe, getting bored in a classroom or pondering away on your office table, pull out a piece of paper and a pen to challenge anyone for a quick tic-tac-toe game. Both of you are likely to burst into smiles and giggles as you try to outwit each other in this simple yet very entertaining game.

20) Wear a very old t-shirt or top

Do you have a very old and run down t-shirt that you have hung on to for years together? Such an old t-shirt is likely to have a lot of memories attached to it. It could be just the thing you need to let out a precious smile.

Put it on after a hard day's work as you sip on a nice cocktail at home. Sit back on the lounger and smile away as you think about the moments you wore that t-shirt or top.