You might find other sites on happiness that focus on your thoughts, I have found that humans need to back thoughts up with actions, and that if you don't you could actually end up less happy, not more. So this page is all about action, things you can DO, not just think, to feel more happy. Most of them are very simple.
One little disclaimer: I am not a trained professional and do not know your specific circumstance which is leading you to seek information on how to be happier. While these steps are effective most of the time, if you are really struggling with being happy, I highly recommend that you seek out a professional therapist that can help you in ways this simple site can not.
That said here are some great ideas...
It's about Action
Some of the information that I have come across says that you can just think your way happy, that it's simply all about positive thinking. This may seem odd, but one book that I highly recommend soundly debunks that. It is called "Bright-Sided, How Positive Thinking is Undermining America" by Barbara Ehrenriech. Yes I know it is very odd to recommend a book that slams positive thinking on a site about kindness and happiness, and how we think IS important. But it's not just how we think that's important, it's what we DO!
You see if we think happy thoughts or think kind thoughts, but there is nothing in our actions that corresponds to that thinking, we are being incongruous and will likely end up being less happy, not more. Taking action to be kind and happy is as if not more important than our thoughts. In fact it is often the action, whether we think we feel like it or not that helps create the happy thoughts we want.
There is a great video that illustrates this very simply, much better than I can explain it, watch it and see if you don't agree that everyone in this video is happier after they took a simple, silly action than they where before, even if they resisted and didn't "feel" like it!
You see if we think happy thoughts or think kind thoughts, but there is nothing in our actions that corresponds to that thinking, we are being incongruous and will likely end up being less happy, not more. Taking action to be kind and happy is as if not more important than our thoughts. In fact it is often the action, whether we think we feel like it or not that helps create the happy thoughts we want.
There is a great video that illustrates this very simply, much better than I can explain it, watch it and see if you don't agree that everyone in this video is happier after they took a simple, silly action than they where before, even if they resisted and didn't "feel" like it!
See, happiness and kindness can be contagious with action. But if you don't take action, if you just keep it to your thoughts it goes nowhere!
That is why I like this web site and organization (Action for Happiness) so much, it is ALL about taking action! The Action For Happiness web site is filled with great information and action steps for creating more happiness.
Another great website is Live Happy, it helps people discover personal paths to happiness with the science of positive psychology through, relatable stories, great advice, inspiring articles and imagery.
Two other fantastic websites promoting kindness are Life Vest Inside and Random Acts of Kindness I highly recommend both promoting kindness and happiness.
Idea list to inspire kindness
Here are some simple ideas that I have had and seen to share a bit of kindness. Most are simple, and little to no cost. Sending greeting cards is predominant on this list, because it is hands down my favorite way to share kindness, but it isn't, nor should it be the only way. Mix it up, do different things, things, be spontaneous, and most of all have fun!
While this list is generally in no particular order, and expected cards for holidays, birthdays, events, etc. are always a kind thing to do, the number one most impactful way to share kindness to me is a totally unexpected greeting card with a note of thanks, appreciation, or encouragement. This can be to someone that you know, or someone that you don't, who you have heard about from others or on the news. Long after spoken words and posts on social media are gone and forgotten, when it strikes the right cord with the receiver, this can be kept and treasured for weeks, months, and even years after it is sent. And I don't just send any cards, I send cards that are personalized for even more impact! People really love cards and gifts with their name on them. Check out my favorite service for doing that at Mailbox Power. It's very easy, fun, and affordable.
While this list is generally in no particular order, and expected cards for holidays, birthdays, events, etc. are always a kind thing to do, the number one most impactful way to share kindness to me is a totally unexpected greeting card with a note of thanks, appreciation, or encouragement. This can be to someone that you know, or someone that you don't, who you have heard about from others or on the news. Long after spoken words and posts on social media are gone and forgotten, when it strikes the right cord with the receiver, this can be kept and treasured for weeks, months, and even years after it is sent. And I don't just send any cards, I send cards that are personalized for even more impact! People really love cards and gifts with their name on them. Check out my favorite service for doing that at Mailbox Power. It's very easy, fun, and affordable.
Here's my list...
Send an unexpected card
Pay the toll for the person behind you
Leave a bouquet at the hospital — tell the nurses to give it to whoever who needs it the most.
For those who have Birthdays right at a major holiday like Christmas, send a half birthday card six months after their birthday, give them a special day of their own!
Carry someone's groceries
Give a blanket or food to a homeless person
Call your mom just to tell her you love her
Send a gratitude card
Pick up trash in a park, a playground, beach, or on a street
Ask someone “how are you?” mean it, and really listen
Put sticky notes with positive messages (e.g., "You look great!", "Smile", "Have an awesome day" ) on a restroom mirror.
Give someone an unexpected flower …or a dozen
Send a congratulations card recognizing someone's achievement such as graduation, a promotion, a big sale, a race won, etc.
Let the other driver have the good parking space
Share happy memories. Put an old photo with a note about the day it was taken on a card and mail it to a friend.
Give a server a really big tip.
Post kind, happy, encouraging, positive messages on social media
Send an unexpected card
Pay the toll for the person behind you
Leave a bouquet at the hospital — tell the nurses to give it to whoever who needs it the most.
For those who have Birthdays right at a major holiday like Christmas, send a half birthday card six months after their birthday, give them a special day of their own!
Carry someone's groceries
Give a blanket or food to a homeless person
Call your mom just to tell her you love her
Send a gratitude card
Pick up trash in a park, a playground, beach, or on a street
Ask someone “how are you?” mean it, and really listen
Put sticky notes with positive messages (e.g., "You look great!", "Smile", "Have an awesome day" ) on a restroom mirror.
Give someone an unexpected flower …or a dozen
Send a congratulations card recognizing someone's achievement such as graduation, a promotion, a big sale, a race won, etc.
Let the other driver have the good parking space
Share happy memories. Put an old photo with a note about the day it was taken on a card and mail it to a friend.
Give a server a really big tip.
Post kind, happy, encouraging, positive messages on social media
Compliment a stranger sincerely
Take coloring books and crayons to the pediatric wing of a hospital.
Take your neighbor's trash out to the curb on trash day
Send a Get Well Soon card to someone who is sick
Put up anonymous, positive post-it notes in odd places for strangers to find
Invite the person behind you to go first in a long line.
Donate your old professional clothes to an organization that helps those looking for work.
Send a Good Bye/Good Luck card to someone who is moving, getting a new job, going on a big trip, retiring, etc.
Relay an overheard compliment
Send a friend a funny video from YouTube
Put change in the washer/dryer for the next person
Send someone a card to share your love or appreciation of them
Bring your spouse coffee in bed
Send someone you just met a Nice to meet you card
Leave neighbors a note telling them how much joy you get in admiring their garden, better yet, send a card with photos you took of their garden.
Tape a nice saying or thought to a bus window
Don't hold it it, instead of just thinking it, compliment someone, respectfully
Bake bread or cookies and deliver them to a nearby fire station, senior home, or homeless shelter
Leave a bouquet at the hospital — tell the nurses it's for them!
Take coloring books and crayons to the pediatric wing of a hospital.
Take your neighbor's trash out to the curb on trash day
Send a Get Well Soon card to someone who is sick
Put up anonymous, positive post-it notes in odd places for strangers to find
Invite the person behind you to go first in a long line.
Donate your old professional clothes to an organization that helps those looking for work.
Send a Good Bye/Good Luck card to someone who is moving, getting a new job, going on a big trip, retiring, etc.
Relay an overheard compliment
Send a friend a funny video from YouTube
Put change in the washer/dryer for the next person
Send someone a card to share your love or appreciation of them
Bring your spouse coffee in bed
Send someone you just met a Nice to meet you card
Leave neighbors a note telling them how much joy you get in admiring their garden, better yet, send a card with photos you took of their garden.
Tape a nice saying or thought to a bus window
Don't hold it it, instead of just thinking it, compliment someone, respectfully
Bake bread or cookies and deliver them to a nearby fire station, senior home, or homeless shelter
Leave a bouquet at the hospital — tell the nurses it's for them!
Send a sympathy card
Send a Thank You card
Donate books to your local library
Hold the door open for someone
Buy some extra groceries for the local food bank
Treat an elderly neighbor, with a gift certificate or a dinner
Stop and have a conversation with a homeless person
Donate old cell phones and other items to local charities
Send Holiday cards, yes the major ones, but especially odd ball unexpected ones that people never think to send cards for. Google "list of holidays" for ideas, add terms like "bizarre" and "unique" to the search and you'll come up with some really great ideas!
When in a restaurant or store where you have received good service, ask to speak to the manager or leave a comment card so you can compliment them for the employees excellent service. Perhaps even better, send a card to the manager!
Ask a grocery clerk to apply your unused coupons to another customer's items.
Send a favorite teacher (from the past) a card and/or flowers, candy
Write a thank you letter to your parents
Invite a non-local friend over for dinner with your family
Hold the elevator
Offer someone an unexpected tip
Leave a funny or kind note in an unexpected place
Send a favorite boss (from the past) a card and/or flowers, candy
Dedicate a song on the radio to someone you know is listening during his or her long commute.
Send a Birthday card, or an Unbirthday card
Leave some extra money in the vending machine
Hug your loved ones for no particular reason
Send a Thinking of you card
Make breakfast for your lover or housemate
Drop off combs, toothbrushes, and toothpaste to a homeless shelter or a soup kitchen.
Call someone you haven’t talked to in a while
Offer someone else your seat on the bus/train
Send a card to encourage someone
Wave a “Have a Great Day” or a "Kindness creates Happiness" poster at a street intersection
Send a Thank You card
Donate books to your local library
Hold the door open for someone
Buy some extra groceries for the local food bank
Treat an elderly neighbor, with a gift certificate or a dinner
Stop and have a conversation with a homeless person
Donate old cell phones and other items to local charities
Send Holiday cards, yes the major ones, but especially odd ball unexpected ones that people never think to send cards for. Google "list of holidays" for ideas, add terms like "bizarre" and "unique" to the search and you'll come up with some really great ideas!
When in a restaurant or store where you have received good service, ask to speak to the manager or leave a comment card so you can compliment them for the employees excellent service. Perhaps even better, send a card to the manager!
Ask a grocery clerk to apply your unused coupons to another customer's items.
Send a favorite teacher (from the past) a card and/or flowers, candy
Write a thank you letter to your parents
Invite a non-local friend over for dinner with your family
Hold the elevator
Offer someone an unexpected tip
Leave a funny or kind note in an unexpected place
Send a favorite boss (from the past) a card and/or flowers, candy
Dedicate a song on the radio to someone you know is listening during his or her long commute.
Send a Birthday card, or an Unbirthday card
Leave some extra money in the vending machine
Hug your loved ones for no particular reason
Send a Thinking of you card
Make breakfast for your lover or housemate
Drop off combs, toothbrushes, and toothpaste to a homeless shelter or a soup kitchen.
Call someone you haven’t talked to in a while
Offer someone else your seat on the bus/train
Send a card to encourage someone
Wave a “Have a Great Day” or a "Kindness creates Happiness" poster at a street intersection
Volunteer at a soup kitchen or animal shelter
Fill an expired or about to expire parking meter
Introduce yourself to someone you always see around
Send an Anniversary card
Speak well of others
Run an errand for someone
Donate an hour of your professional services
Send a card to a local fire and/or police station, thanking those who work there for their service.
Invite someone who is alone over for dinner
Visit a senior center or nursing home
Say “thank you” to someone for something that is completely routine or mundane
Pay for the person behind you at the drive-thru
Send a card to a couple that just got engaged
Volunteer at a school
Send anonymous flowers to your office receptionist
Share your secret recipe with a friend
Cook dinner for a busy single parent
Send a card of encouragement (or congratulations, as the case may be) to someone who is breaking up or getting divorced
Rescue a wallflower! Strike up a conversation with someone who's standing alone at a party
Share chocolate with coworkers or friends, anytime is a good time for chocolate!
Fill an expired or about to expire parking meter
Introduce yourself to someone you always see around
Send an Anniversary card
Speak well of others
Run an errand for someone
Donate an hour of your professional services
Send a card to a local fire and/or police station, thanking those who work there for their service.
Invite someone who is alone over for dinner
Visit a senior center or nursing home
Say “thank you” to someone for something that is completely routine or mundane
Pay for the person behind you at the drive-thru
Send a card to a couple that just got engaged
Volunteer at a school
Send anonymous flowers to your office receptionist
Share your secret recipe with a friend
Cook dinner for a busy single parent
Send a card of encouragement (or congratulations, as the case may be) to someone who is breaking up or getting divorced
Rescue a wallflower! Strike up a conversation with someone who's standing alone at a party
Share chocolate with coworkers or friends, anytime is a good time for chocolate!
Spend time with the elderly
Anonymously send a friend in need some cash
Send a New House card
Take some soup or hot chocolate to a homeless person
Stop everything to help someone else
Send a New Baby card.
Click Here for some research on kindness and happiness.
Anonymously send a friend in need some cash
Send a New House card
Take some soup or hot chocolate to a homeless person
Stop everything to help someone else
Send a New Baby card.
Click Here for some research on kindness and happiness.