Feeling blue or stuck in a rut? Don't fret—the Internet is here to help.
Being a happy person isn't easy for everyone—all of us have rough patches—but there are some habits that will help make the ride smoother.
That's why one Redditor asked what people do to live happier lives. Responses revealed excellent and straightforward happy-making habits:
1. Say thank you, not sorry
Redditor Minecomf wrote:
Have started to make an honest effort to say, 'Thank you' more often, and 'I'm sorry' much less often... I've learned when I express myself with more positive, thankful, and graceful language, I'm much happier overall.
On this note, j01t commented, "This is great, I'm going to start doing this. It's similar to something else I've started doing, which is to stop saying 'no worries' or 'no problem.' and say something more like 'I'm happy to help.'"
In fact, a 2015 study from the University of Georgia found that expressing gratitude and feeling valued by a spouse has a positive correlation with feeling committed and content in a relationship.
So the more you say thanks, the happier you'll be.
2. Give others public compliments
Relationships with others are hard, and can even be stressful when everything's going well.
User Fee5555 offered a simple tip for making a romantic relationship better: "Complimenting my SO in front of others. It's crazy how much that changes a relationship."
Studies have shown that receiving praise can make your brain perform certain tasks well, and can feel just as good as being given money.
Since compliments are a free and unlimited resource, give them generously. Sounds like something that could work for friends, family members, and even co-workers.
3. Go the eff to sleep
Redditor Aerron said that plenty of sleep is the ticket to a happier life: "Going to bed at a decent hour. F*ck constant sleep deprivation. Gotta get up by 6? Go to bed at 10. It's amazing how much better your alarm clock works when you've actually gotten enough sleep."
They also offered some tips for making sure you get enough shut-eye:
"Leave your phone on the dresser. Don't have a TV in your bedroom. Leave your devices in the living room. Bed is for sleeping and sex. If you're doing something else, do it somewhere else.
When you make these changes, your brain comes to associate bed with sleep. Then when you get in bed, you're brain knows it's time to power down."
A 2015 poll found a positive connection between sleep and overall well-being, but anyone who's had a good night's sleep could tell you about its life-changing effects.
4. Read more
Good news for nerds: Redditor Calzenn says reading is one of the best and easiest ways to improve your life:
"Read about other peoples lives and how they coped, survived, changed and gained insight/wisdom etc... A person can spend a lifetime learning something and you can read about it, and if you wish - apply that to your own in a few hours.
Read history and you can understand what happened, why we are doing things a certain way and probably see down the road about what is going to happen easier than others.
Read science articles and technology books and you can gain a lot of insights into the world today."
5. Eat in the shower
Reddit user King-Floris chimed in with: "Eating oranges in the shower."
Maybe they were being silly, but this suggestion sounds amazing. At least you're getting two things done at once, right?
Any of these tips, especially in combination, seem likely to provide a long-term mood boost if made into habits.
Life will always have rough patches, but with these habits, you'll be more prepared for them. Time to stock up on bathtub snacks.
