10 Tips for a Happier Life

1. Hang out with happy people: Who you associate with can have a huge impact on your mood. Try to avoid those who are constant downers, or those who are always angry.
2. Read: Not just reading of anything, but read something inspirational. Read part of a book you've found really moving, or something from a funny Web site. This helps to improve your mood. Don't believe me? Give it a try. I bet you'll feel better.
3. Fake it: Yes, this one sounds ... well, it sounds fakey. But that's kind of the point. If you're in a bad mood, act cheery. Eventually your emotions and your brain will catch up. You might be surprised how this can improve your mood.
4. Be conscious of your moods: Being a downer doesn't have to be a given. Besides, genetics isn't a given and you don't have to be in a foul mood all the time. Beware of your moods. Watch for things that trigger sadness or anger in you. Does a certain song make you all weepy? Don't listen to it. Does a certain person at work get your steam boiling? Stay away from them as much as possible. Keep in mind, you can't change the rest of the world, but you can change yourself.
5. Simplify the technology in your life: Simplicity can equal happiness. All too often we get stressed out over things that aren't really worth stressing over. You don't have to have the latest gadget. You don't have to keep up with your 20 favorite TV shows. You don't have to stay up for 30 hours straight playing a video game. Maybe those things sound like fun, but all that fun might just be stressing you out. Turn off the tube, put down the game controller and get out and enjoy reality for a while.
6. Seek answers, not problems: When something goes wrong, try to find a solution if possible. Don't sit around feeling sorry for yourself and wallowing in self-pity. If there's a problem, fix it! At least it will be progress of some sort.
7. Work at your physical health: If you look better and feel better, your moods will be better. It's that simple. You don't have to start with some major exercise plan. Just get out and walk a little. The next day, make that walk a little longer, even if it's only by a few feet. Soon you'll find your body is improving and so is your mood.
8. Set goals: What is it that will make you happy? Is it achievable? If not, why not? If is is, why aren't you doing something about it instead of crying about it? Decide upon things that will make you happier, then work toward them. Make a list if it helps you. It doesn't have to be big goals. Maybe something as simple as talking to an old friend would make you happy. What are you waiting for? Call them! Enough little things that make you happy can lead up to big things that make you happy.
9. Remember that you are human: You are allowed to make mistakes. You are going to make mistakes. You're also allowed to have all the emotions and frustrations that go along with being human. Rejecting your emotions can lead to stress, though that doesn't mean you have to allow your emotions to rule you. Keep in mind that you are human, just like everyone else. You'll have your good days and your bad days. But by remember that you are much like everyone else, you can relieve some of the stress of being human. You're not alone. You're just like the rest of us.
10. Be grateful for others, and show your thanks: How you treat others affects how they treat you, and it affects your own moods. If you're nicer to people, they will be nicer to you. And what's a better way to improve your mood than to have other people be nice to you?