small things that can bring you joy

Touching your toes can relieve stress by increasing blood flow to the brain. It also enhances memory and improves circulation. Some health and fitness experts say toe touches can also treat and prevent back pain.

A warm embrace is good for the soul. Experts say hugging can enhance our mood, lower blood pressure, and relieve stress.

Plant a garden. Cook dinner. Play the guitar. Knit a scarf. Manual labor is scientifically proven to boost happiness levels.

Filling your mind with worries about what other people think of you can drain your energy. So don t. Be your own judge of approval.

Selfcriticism is selfdefeating. But if you re compassionate toward yourself, you can actually make yourself more productive, stronger, and more relaxed. Next time you think negatively about yourself, write down that negative thought. By seeing how hurtful those words appear on paper, you ll begin to train yourself to stop saying them in your head

When you tune out your thoughts and worries about the future and the past, life becomes a lot more manageable. Deadlines, debts, and the items on your todo list will no longer hang over your head. In fact, people who are mindful about living in the now tend to complete difficult taskssuch as a project at work or fitness routine with more ease.

By being on time for events, you relieve all that stress you would have felt if you had been running late. Good time management skills also help you more quickly accomplish your goals, thereby creating more free time for your family, friends, and hobbies.

Science tells us that those of us who avoid apologies are happier than those who own up to their blunders. Refusing to apologize actually gives us a sense of power and entitlement, research shows.

Selflove and acceptance are among the most important keys to happiness. If you re not happy with yourself, you re never going to be happy. Forgive yourself. Allow yourself those mistakes you ve made. Accept yourself for who you are the good, the bad and all that needs improvement.

Hydrating your body and skin will keep you looking younger longer. It can also help you lose weight, boost your mood, and increase your brain power.