As the psychologist William James said, “The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human can alter his life by altering his attitude.” In other words, if we choose to be happy, we can be! Happiness doesn’t always come easily, but by applying the following 15 ideas on a consistent basis, you can create a more positive life and feel happier every day.

1. Evaluate your life

If you’re feeling unhappy, the first thing you should do is evaluate what’s going on in your life. Are you disillusioned about your job? Stressed about money? Unhappy in your relationship? Once you’ve identified the issue/s, do something about it! Make a plan of action to solve the problem. Even small gradual steps will improve your mood. If you don’t know what steps to take, imagine what you would say to a friend if they were in your situation. Start taking action today  to get the ball rolling.

2. Practice gratitude

Gratitude journals may be on trend, but there’s a solid reason why they’ve become so popular. When you say “thank you” and intentionally focus on what you’re thankful for, your energy levels increase and so do your feelings of optimism. Simply writing down one sentence stating what you’re grateful for each day should make you feel happier!

3. Make time for self-care

Have you been focusing on others and neglecting yourself? Taking time for yourself each day is essential if you want to feel happier, healthier and ready to take on the world! If you want to create your own self-care routine, but aren’t sure where to start, be sure to check out The Beginner’s Guide to Self Care.

4. Be present

When we constantly worry – maybe about how Jackie interpreted our comment yesterday or when we’ll actually be able to pay off our student debt – we sacrifice our own contentment and happiness in the process. Meditation is a good way to start this practice since it forces you to focus on your breathing and encourages you to push aside negative thoughts so you can just be. Focus on the here and now – it’s the only thing you can change.

5. Have a social-media detox

If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know I have a love-hate relationship with social media. It can be a fantastic creative outlet, packed with inspiration, and a great way to connect with friends. It can also be severely unrealistic, depressing and stressful to keep up with. Try having a break from social media and see if this improves your happiness levels.

6. Exercise

Do I work out regularly? No. Should I? Yes. If you want to feel happier, then regular exercise is a great way to encourage this. Exercise releases endorphins that reduce your perception of pain and make you feel more positive. While yoga is a low-intensity workout, it actually may be one of the best forms of exercise to improve happiness! It’s been proven to reduce stress, improve immunity, and in one study, was even used to treat depressive and anxiety disorders.

7. Do something you enjoy

When was the last time you did something you love? We all get bogged down with work and social commitments, but ensuring that you do something for yourself – even if it’s just reading Grazia  – every now and again is incredibly important for your mental wellbeing. Make it happen by scheduling it into your diary and blocking out the time you need.

8. Try something new

You’re an exciting, intelligent woman, but would I be right in assuming you’re trapped in an endless cycle of work, cooking, and Netflix? Mix things up a bit by trying something new! Learn a language, start a bullet journal, join a book club – the options are endless! Make a list of things you’re interested in trying, pick one and get started! I know the novelty of trying something new makes me feel happier, and it can be something to look forward to outside of your routine.

9. Spend time with people who lift you up

There’s nothing more toxic than negative people. Humans are like sponges who soak up the energy of those around them, so ask yourself, what kind of people are you surrounding yourself with? Are you spending time with ladies who are positive and encouraging, or ones that shoot you down? Being around happy people is a surefire way to feel happier yourself.

10. Set up a routine

I know this seems to conflict with #8 and I understand that you probably want to live spontaneously, but if you think about it, we all have routines, whether it’s just when to wake up and when to eat, why fight it? When you choose positive habits that encourage positive experiences and outcomes and make them a part of your routine, there’s no way you’re not going to feel happier! If you want to know more about how a routine can improve your happiness, check out this fantastic article!

11. Declutter your space

Clutter equals stress. Get rid of it and feel more productive by decluttering any messy areas around your house. It sounds silly, but having an organised space can make a massive difference to your happiness.

12. Talk it out or write it down

There’s a reason people pay big bucks to talk to psychiatrists. We like to talk and know someone is listening to us. When we bottle everything up, we’re liable to burst at any moment! If you struggle to talk with people, writing down what’s going on inside can help physically remove the issue from your head. Meaningful conversations with people you trust can also relieve some of the stress you’re feeling and help you to feel better. As they say, a problem shared is a problem halved.

13. Listen to upbeat music

Music can cut you like a knife or heal you like elixir. It’s tempting to listen to sad music when you’re sad – just think about 14-year-old You listening to James Blunt and crying over love you never had – but ask yourself, is this helpful? If you’re trying to feel more positive, crank up the Smash Mouth and bust a move. I guarantee you’ll feel better for it!

14. Get more sleep

Sleep is restorative and can help prevent a range of health issues, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. It makes sense then, that getting enough sleep will similarly affect your mental health too. That midday lie in doesn’t seem so bad now, does it?

15. Eat well

You are what you eat. Research by the University of Warwick shows that happiness and mental well-being are highest among people who eat seven portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Try loading up your plate with these nutrients for a happy brain and a happy body!

We can’t control everything, but the one thing we can control is how we feel. Evaluating your life, being thankful and present, looking after yourself and your health, getting off social-media, having fun, spending time with and talking to positive people, trying new things, setting up a routine, tidying your home and listening to upbeat music are all effective ways to become happier. By taking responsibility for our own happiness and making small changes to our lives, we can feel happier and make it a lasting habit.

Which of these options will you apply today? Add your comment below. For even more advice, follow @empoweredmillennialgirl on Instagram or Pinterest. You’ll find me there every day!

Have a wonderful week!

Grace x