5 Easy Tips to Be Happy Now and Make 2017 the Best Year Yet!

New year, new you–at least, that’s what everyone is saying. But this year, you mean it. The best way to bring happiness into your life is by making small, tangible changes that you can validate, to help keep you on track for happiness in 2017. Resolutions aren’t only good for your physical health, but they can also be good for your mental health as well. But you don’t have to wait long to see your results, here are five ways to be happy now and make 2017 the best year yet!

1) Practice Gratitude

This is a simple change that can have the most profound impact on your life. Often we’re conditioned to see the worst in every situation, and we’re bombarded with bad news from the media, entertainment, and often our family and friends. Misery loves company, and it will take root in your life if you let it. Circumvent this negativity by making gratitude a part of your daily life.

Start small; when you wake up, let the first words that enter your mind be “Thank you for this day. I am so grateful for the opportunity to rise, shine, and make this the best day ever.” OK, so it might sound cheesy, but your thoughts go a long way to improve your mood (or ruin it), so why not start off with good intentions? Smile at yourself in the mirror and thank yourself for being alive, for having your health (even if it’s not where you want it to be right now–that change will come too), and for getting to experience the wonder of life.

Carry this positivity with you throughout the day and see the good in situations where normally you’d have seen the negative. Did you dribble coffee on your shirt? Be grateful you get to enjoy your morning coffee–the shirt can be washed. When traffic is bad on your way to work, be grateful for a job that pays your bills, a car that runs, and that you’re safe and whole.

Every negative can be seen through a different light. Everyone has bad things happen to them, but what you control is how you react to them. You might as well react with positivity and gratitude. You’ll be surprised by how quickly your life will change if you do.

2) Exercise More 

This wouldn’t be a New Year’s list without exercise on it. Most people start hard, go to the gym, work out till they want to die, and then wake up the next day, sore and miserable. In order to succeed, you need to give yourself achievable goals. If you were a total couch potato before you started exercising, would it make sense for you to start off with a 10K run every day?

Again, start small and work your way up. Most people can handle a 15-minute walk on their lunch break or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Add exercise into your daily life, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly you start to feel better and more fit. Once you’ve established a routine for your day, introduce a 30-minute walk after dinner, and then keep adding.

If the winter weather gets you down, head to your local recreational center and make use of their facilities. The important thing to remember is that you not let yourself stagnate. Once you feel like your exercise routine is too easy and no longer a challenge, up the ante. Add some weight training (with proper guidance), maybe work in a swim or two; the best thing you can do is find an exercise that you love doing consistently, and keep doing it. When you have a solid foundation to work with, this is an easy task to accomplish.

3) Make a Happiness Jar

Although it might sound silly, a happiness jar will help you practice gratitude, and it will help make you feel good as well. Start with a mason jar (or something similar; it is best if the jar is clear), write out “Happiness Jar” on a piece of paper and then tape it to the side. Now comes the fun part. Every time someone does something nice for you, write out what the deed was and put it in the jar. Did someone give you a nice note at work with some wisdom printed on it? Put it in the jar. Did you help an elderly person cross the street? Put it in the jar. Did someone celebrate your success at work? In the jar, it goes! The happy events of your life will add up quickly. As a bonus, at the end of the year, you’ll get to shuffle through all the fantastic events that happened and reminisce about the great times, all while practicing being grateful for everyday goodness.

4) Get Into Nature

If you’re lucky enough to live in an area that’s surrounded by the beauty of nature, then this point will be a cinch to incorporate. Go for walks in the woods. In the summer, make swimming in a lake your daytime destination; you can tie this tip into your goal to get more exercise as well. If you’re near the ocean, head to the beach for a gorgeous day in the sun; even in the winter, on a bright, clear day, the water looks amazing.

Not all people live surrounded by lush forests and mountains, but little sanctuaries pop up, even in the most concrete-and-steel-covered places. Most modern cities have public parks; maybe incorporate a park visit into your lunchtime exercise and spend some time listening to the birds while watching families play together.

5) Take Up a New Hobby

A new hobby doesn’t have to be expensive; in fact, you can integrate it into your nature goal as well by taking up something like hiking. There are many hobbies to consider, from reading (your local library has free books–don’t forget about it!) and writing, to volunteering your time and energy. There’s no better way to brighten your day than by helping out your community. Check with your local nonprofit organizations and volunteer your time.

Do you fancy yourself as DIY-savvy? Are you looking for a new project? There are millions of instructional videos available online for you to peruse for free, where you can pick something you’ve always wanted to do, such as crocheting or learning how to cook better. With step-by-step instructions and video help, you’ll soon find yourself excelling at your new hobby.

For more fun, check out the entertainment or community sections of your city’s newspaper or website for local activities. You’ll likely find plenty of free and fun events being held throughout the year right where you live. Not only will you be meeting new people, but you’ll get to investigate new and exciting ways to have fun in your own hometown.

Don’t forget to celebrate your successes! By giving yourself both physical and mental goals to achieve, you’re creating better odds and setting yourself up for more than just one avenue of achievement. Changing bad habits means changing your mentality as well. By following these five easy ways to be happy now, you’ll not only attract more joy and success into your life, but you’ll also make 2017 the best year yet.