How to Get Happy When You've Got The Blues

When the bills are flying in, your cash is flying out, or home and work stress are at an all time high take some time to ground yourself and remember how to be happy!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Your fave music
• Your fave scented candles
• Your fave toys as a kid
• Good books that are interesting to you
• Your fave movies

1. If you have been feeling down an out of sorts lately then now is as good a time as any to get the happy back. This can be challenging if you have a family to look after or a career to build. Right now you need to find time for yourself, and I would recommend finding a babysitter for the children on your next day off work. Plan ahead and get your spouse or significant other to head out for an all nighter with the guys or gals.
2. Make a list ahead of time of things that you really enjoy doing, and no matter how old you are don't be afraid to go back to what brought you joy as a child. Do you enjoy putting together puzzles? Reading books? Whatever it is or was that once floated your boat, get it! This is all about you, your time, your joys, your likes.
3. Once you have the house scheduled to be empty, go shopping. Not just any old shopping, go happy shopping. The items you pick up will most likely be inexpensive I doubt you'll spend more than 50 bucks, and you could even swing it with 20. Pick up cool little puzzles, books that sound great, sappy movies, or action packed movies. On your night it's your pick!
4. Go to the toy store and grab a few toys you loved as a child. Were you into Etch-A-Sketches? Play Doh? Racer cars? Use your imagination anything that looks like fun, it's a toy store after all, but this time your shopping for YOU! When you get home hide your goodies in the closet, remember they are for you not the kids, and don't play with them ahead of time instead get excited about it and enjoy the anticipation.
5. When the big night comes close all the shades, lock the door, take the phone off the hook and turn the radio up. Dance around the house like a teenager, and it doesn't matter if your dancing disco, hip hop, or line dancing. Your alone remember? You can cut loose and bust a move to your favorite old school jams.
6. Once you have danced out all that stressfull energy take a relaxing bubble bath with your favorite scented candles spread around the house. Enjoy your new books while your there. When you get out the whole house will smell great and the lighting will be soothing.
7. Now get out your new toys!!! Grab that Etch-A-Sketch, Play-doh, Racing cars, and or bubbles. Play with your toys, I'm serious I don't care if your 20 years old or 80 years old. Have fun forget your an adult with huge responsibilities for one night. Let loose and have a blast.
8. When YOU decide playtime is over put your toys back in the bag and hide them for next time. Don't ever forget those are mom/dad's toys. Kick back and get comfy to watch all of your favorite movies. No one is there to bother you or complain about your movie picks, it's all YOU! Stay up late alternating between playing, reading, dancing and watching television. Do whatever you want that is fun and enjoyable for you. No stress on your night, you can worry about bills, work, kids, and relationships tomorrow.
9. Sleep in the next day if you can and when you get up try to be more relaxed and tackle one problem at a time. Try to take more in stride and find small pleasures whenever and wherever you can. I personally keep a small bottle of kiddie bubbles in my purse. When I have a few minutes free I blow bubbles and enjoy every danged minute of it! I also keep a Rubik's cube nearby just for fun!
10. Always make time to do things for yourself, life really is a rat race and unfortunately the only thing we are really racing to do is to make a decent living for ourselves and our loved ones before the end. What's the point in spending your whole life doing ONLY that? Take the time to be happy too.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the peace by giving yourself a ALL YOU night anytime you start to feel that tension building beyond your control.
• Smile as much as you can and try to find real pleasure in the little things.
• If there are unnecessary things in your life that are really bringing you down see what you can rearrange to lighten your load, it does not hurt to ask for help if you can't handle everything at once.
• If you feel down and depressed constantly or almost constantly for more than a few weeks it could be caused by something more serious and you should definitely check in with your health care provider.