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Reflect on Happy Memories to Jumpstart Your Mood

Who we are is very much a result of our memories and experiences. What we have seen, felt, heard and touched has shaped our personalities and influenced who we are. Taking the time to remember and reflect on positive moments in our past can be fulfilling—and make us feel happier. Psychological research dating back to the 1930s supports the belief that holding onto and reflecting about our good memories—and leaving the bad ones behind—can help us to move past difficult situations. If you have ever been in the middle of a bad day and then heard an old favorite song on the radio, thought about a great time you had with a child or recalled that delicious cake you tried at a party, then you know the power that a positive memory can have on your psyche. It can even turn your mood around in the middle of an otherwise lousy day. Any time we like, we can boost our mood by focusing on a happy memory. Here are a few suggestions for gaining the most benefit when you relive those past experiences in the present and turning them into a mini mindfulness vacation: 1. Find a quiet place where there are no distractions It may be indoors or outdoors, it may be in the morning or the evening, but it is important that is a place that is quiet and comfortable, where you can be alone with your thoughts and feelings. 2. Engage your senses Find a photograph to look at, a trinket to hold in your hand, or play music that reminds you of the experience. If possible, smell something that triggers memories of that moment, taste something that reminds you of the food you ate when you were there. For example, when I hold my daughter’s baby blanket, I smile immediately and am flooded with memories of her as a little one. 3. Focus on the specific details Recall the people, places, colors and shapes that gave you great joy at a distinct moment in time. Try to imagine yourself in that place and envision it with as much detail as possible. 4. Envision the room you are in as a favorite travel or vacation spot If you love the mountains, imagine the cool air, the feeling of the rocky mountain against your feet. Take your mind and body back to that place to become as calm and relaxed as when you were there. 5. Focus on your emotions Your emotions are a powerful connection to past experiences. Focus on one particular feeling like joy or a sense of peacefulness or satisfaction. If you are focused on feeling happy, you might reflect on a time you received a promotion, or recall your first date with your husband, or that time your best friends threw you a surprise party. The important message overall when it comes to reflective thinking is: make time for it! You’ll feel happier, more calm and peaceful, it will be easier to make it through tough moments—and you’ll be able to remind yourself about the joyful times you’ve had in your life. Stacy Kaiser is a successful Southern California-based licensed psychotherapist, author, relationship expert and media personality, and a frequent contributor to Live Happy.

Self-Care

What Listeners Are Saying About Wake Up Happy!

Wake up Happy, was inspiring. Every night I went to bed happier knowingin the morning I was going to start my day off with a positive mentalattitude. I listened to it from my laptop, while I was getting ready forthe day....at this time in my life this is exactly what I needed . I've always known happiness comes from within us, we have a choice,these specialists on "Wake Up Happy" just reiterated to me beauty trulydoes come from within. Thank you to the Live Happy team, anotherstanding ovation. MonyaW. I wanted to let you know what a difference these conversations have made for me. I have been going through some very difficult times lately. During my worst week, I got myself out of bed to listen [to Wake Up Happy]. It worked … and now I am on my way back up. Thank you so much for the work you do. Judy Z. Awesome speakers and content over the whole range of happiness/positive psychology field. I have never received so much in so little time that was so effective! Sue G. from Missoula, MT Thank you for the incredible way to begin each day this week—inspiring more happiness! Lee P. from Cambridge, ON I have gone through life never putting any thought into happiness. Now I am being introduced to a new experience and I am enjoying it. Thank you. Pam B. from Fort Worth, TX This is the best truly! To wake up to this content every morning is huge for starting your day right. Annie S. from Santa Clarita, CA This is a GREAT webinar...can we have this every day? I promoted it on my internet radio show last night. Joanne O. from Los Angeles, CA Thank you for putting thisweeklongevent together! After my wife passed ... I really needed this! Mark N. from Sacramento, CA I have been on the call every day this week, taken notes, and have thoroughly enjoyed each presentation. Ember H. from Phoenix, AZ Thanks for providing this amazing webinar series. It really puts everything into perspective! LlknurS. from San Diego, CA Just reviewed Shawn’s talk and wept, a cleanse of pain washing away. RobiR. from Virginia Beach, VA Thank you so much. I’m so glad to be here. I need this in my life!! Tiffany H. from Hamilton, ON This is really something to look forward to each day. Very inspiring and great information. Annie S. from Santa Clarita, CA Thank you so much for these sessions!! Amazing. Yvonne C. fromNorthlake, IL So excited to be waking up happy! ChinyereM. from New York, NY Fantastic content! Michael C. from Albuquerque, NM Love The Wake Up Happy calls!! KimmieM. from Renton, WA We are blessed to have this in our lives every morning this week. Yvonne T. fromYorbaLinda, CA This is such a great thing to wake up to in the morning! Pam N. from Kamloops, BC I am enjoying this very much. It is opening my eyes to day-to-day living. Pam B. from Fort Worth, TX What a great way to wake up this morning. Tiffany W. from Irvine, CA

work

Succeed by Failing

Amazon.com’s founder, JeffBezos, says a desire to invent and explore—what we call alearner mindset—is the key to thecompany’s customer-centric success. “You have to have a willingness to fail,to be misunderstood for long periodsof time,” he says. Jeff’s right. When we quit trying tobe a perfectionist (or an expert) andinstead become a learner, we grow, aremore equipped to face challengingsituations, see the world through a lensof constant improvement—and thinkmore creatively. But how can we leave ourperfectionist ways behind and take ona learner mindset? Here’s how: Solve a new problem Think of your brain as a muscle: Themore effort you put into it, the more itcan grow and learn to do new things. Do a crossword puzzle (without lookingat the answers). Play a challenging board game with the family, like“Scrabble,” “Monopoly” or“Balderdash.” Make a soufflé.Theidea is to do things that are out of the ordinary for you, and to begin thinking in new ways. Give yourself permission to fail NBA legend Michael Jordansaid, “I’ve missed more than 9,000shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve beentrusted to take the game-winning shotand missed. I’ve failed over and overand over again in my life. And that iswhy I succeed.” Failuredoesn’t define you as a person—it givesyou an opportunity to learn from yourmistakes, grow and move forward. Giveyourself permission to make mistakes,and you’ll approach life with moreenthusiasm and resiliency. Stop procrastinating Perfectionism is the enemy of learning(and creativity), and if you have a habit of putting off tasks, it’s probablybecause you expect perfect results fromyourself, expect perfect results fromothers or think others expect perfectresults from you. In reality, though, when you work before the deadline, yougive yourself time to experiment withnew ideas and concepts. When you’re a perfectionist, you seethe world based on how much you cando and how well you can do it. But as a learner, you have possibilities, and everymisstep is one step toward success. Becoming a learner Failures become insights when youadopt a learner versus a perfectionist mindset. To become a learner, ask yourself these three questions the next time you tackle a new project: 1. How can my past experiences help me with this project? 2. What can I learn from doing this project? 3. What are some mistakes I might make? (And what can I tell myself to assuremyself that it’s okay to make these mistakes once in a while?) MARGARET H. GREENBERG andSENIAMAYMINare organizational consultants and executive coaches. Their book, Profit from the Positive, was recently Amazon.com’s No. 1 seller in Leadership and Self-Help and offers readers more than 30 positive tools that can be applied to business, as well as everyday life. Follow Margaret andSeniaat Facebook.com/ProfitFromThePositive.

Self-Care

The Healing Power of Restorative Yoga

Think of restorative yoga as the polar opposite of the high-adrenaline, often competitive “power yoga” that seems to dominate these days. Restorative yoga is a quiet, meditative practice that makes extensive use of props such as bolsters and blocks, enabling you to hold a pose for up to 20 minutes.By holding specific stretching and healing poses and concentrating on your breathing, restorative yoga brings about a state of deep calm to both body and mind.While doing each of the poses, close your eyes and bring your attention to your breath. With every exhalation, feel yourself relaxing completely.Here are three of my favorite restorative poses:Supported Bound Angle PoseBenefits: Relaxes the belly and shoulders and opens the chest and heart for better breathing. Relieves sciatica, varicose veins and menstrual pain.Place a bolster the length of your upper body on the floor behind you so that one end of the bolster supports your tailbone.Bring the soles of your feet together in a diamond shape and place a block or blanket under the outside of each knee.Bringing your hands behind your back on either side of the bolster, gently lower your back down onto the bolster so you are lying on top of it. (Make sure your back is resting on the bolster from your lower back all the way up to your neck.)Be aware of your neck and chin. If you find that your chin is jutting upward, place an extra blanket under your neck for support to help align the neck with the spine. (See how this pose is done in the main photo, above.)Supported bridge poseBenefits: This pose is great for runners, or anyone who has to stand for long hours. It helps reduce fatigue in the legs and hip muscles, and can help alleviate headaches as well.As in the previous pose, place a bolster the length of your upper body on the floor.Sit at one end of the bolster and, using your hands on either side, gently lower your back down onto the bolster from your lower back all the way up to your neck.Carefully slide your shoulders back off the end of the bolster so they touch the floor.Buckle a strap across your upper mid-thigh to help keep your legs together. (You may need to put a blanket beneath your neck for support. If you feel a strain in your lower back, bend your knees and plant your feet on the floor.) The pose looks something like this.Legs up the wall poseBenefits: This pose can help alleviate insomnia and stress.When doing this pose, I like to start by taking a folded blanket and placing it against the wall. (Another common variation is to place a bolster about six inches from the wall.Bring your right or left hip to the wall so you are lying sideways against the wall then swing your legs up the wall and straighten them. Your buttocks should be touching the wall and your lower back on the floor on top of the blanket.Move your buttocks toward the wall as close as you can get them. If you can’t reach the wall, place a bolster behind your legs for support.Straighten and lengthen your legs towards the ceiling and flex your ankles. You can buckle a strap around your mid-thighs to keep your legs together.Bring your arms alongside your body with palms facing up, allowing your shoulders and back to release to the floor. You may need a rolled-up towel or blanket beneath your neck for support. You will look something like this.Take a deep breath and allow your body to rest and focus on your breath. Keeping your eyes closed as you go even deeper inward.AlkaKaminer is a meditation and yoga expert living in New York. Find out more about Alka on her website, www.presentwisdom.com.

Lifestyle

Top 5 Timesaving Tips for the Kitchen

I love to cook. Cookbooks and food magazines make up a large portion of my reading for pleasure. Heck, I have a culinary degree! But like anything that has to be done—sometimes multiple times a day, day after day—making time-consuming meals can be a burden. Sometimes, after a long day of work when the kids are hungry and cranky, it feels downright impossible. It’s important to me that we eat together as a family. And I know how important it is for our wellbeing that the food we eat is not only tasty, but also nutritious—and that often means home-cooked. Boil-in-bags, microwave cooking, ground-beef "helpers” are not going to work. So I am always on the lookout for ways to shave minutes off dinner prep without sacrificing quality or nutrition. Here are a few tricks that even a food snob can embrace. 1. Hit the freezer—but not for everything In an ideal world, we would all be eating seasonal, local vegetables grown by organic farmers and sold outdoors at adorable farmers markets. But this is reality. Some vegetables fare better in the freezer than others; in fact, I would argue that some vegetables are better frozen than fresh, or certainly are easier to deal with. Three key examples: - Spinach. Frozen whole-leaf spinach has already been picked over, washed, and blanched, so it's ready to be thawed and sautéed with garlic and oil, or worked into another recipe, no pre-boiling necessary. (This also removes the guesswork that so often accompanies spinach: Will the nine large bunches you bought feed all your guests or boil down to about two tablespoons?) - Peas. If it weren’t for frozen peas, we would all be relegated to using fresh peas for about three weeks when they are available in the spring, after painstakingly shelling them. Frozen peas can be thrown into stews at the end of cooking or tossed with pasta, cream and pancetta for a weeknight meal. - Pearl onions. Have you ever cooked fresh pearl onions? By the time you strip that last papery skin off that last onion, you are ready to give a black eye to whoever invented Beef Bourguignon. (Two black eyes, if you par-boil them first.) Well, hallelujah, pearl onions are available peeled and ready-to-go in the freezer section, and you'll never taste the difference. 2. Let pasta water do double-duty Take a page from the Italians and use that big pot of salted pasta water to cook other parts of the meal, saving time and an extra pot. For example, if you are making the classic dish, orecchiette with sausage and broccoli rabe, while the sausage browns in a skillet, start cooking the pasta in boiling water, and after a few minutes, add the chopped rabe into the pot with the pasta. Then strain the pasta and broccoli rabe together, and toss in with the sausage. Genius. 3. Choose foods that are naturally fast Stock your pantry, fridge, and freezer with those things that cook at warp speed. In the meat section, think ground beef, lamb, turkey, or chicken that can be used to make quick chilies, pasta sauces or meatballs. Also look at thin-cut chops or cutlets, all of which can cook on a grill or stovetop in a jiffy. For weeknight meals, avoid large cuts of meat as well as whole chicken and chicken legs, which need time to cook all the way through. Almost all seafood is your fast friend: shrimp, mussels, clams, scallops, and thin fillets cook in under 10 minutes (many in under 3 minutes). 4. Make simple sides Instant couscous cooks in five minutes. Most pastas don’t take long to boil, but if you are trying to shave off minutes, use the small, thin varieties instead of the big shapes. Potatoes can be cut into small pieces and roasted at a high temperature in about 20 minutes for a delicious side. And of course, opening a can of beans takes 10 seconds (though we recommend rinsing them and tossing with a little salt and olive oil before serving). Most vegetables cook quickly, but if you haven’t had time to shop and prep fresh vegetables, see the frozen section, above. If you have kids, microwave or boil frozen edamame or “medley” of peas, corn and carrots for a quick, healthy vegetable side that they will actually eat. 5. Let your dinner thrive on neglect That obsessive flipping of your food, on the grill or in the sauté pan is often counterproductive to good flavor, and costing you time to boot. For the best possible crust, turn your food only once, timing it halfway through cooking. (Hint: often, if you try to turn your food and you find it’s sticking, it isn’t done yet; it will release easily when the crust is just right. The same goes for many things that roast in the oven. Rather than turning those roasted potato wedges, squash slices, etc., just let them be until they're done. You'll avoid tearing them, which renders them greasy anyway, and you'll get a nice golden crust on the side touching the baking sheet. Lesley Porcelli has been writing and thinking about mostly food, for more than 15 years. She was a staff writer at Martha Stewart Living as well as an editor at Gourmet, and has a culinary degree from the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives in Central New York with her husband and three little kids, plus a staggering assortment of plastic sea creatures. When not authoring cookbooks, she occasionally blogs at Ugly But Good.

Well-Being

5 Ways to Kickstart Your Creativity

I’ve found that when I’m feeling creative, I’m happy. So on those days when I need a booster shot of creativity to lift my spirits, I have several go-to strategies that work especially well.1. Visit a LocalLibrary.Ever since I was a child, I’ve loved the feeling of discovery and possibility that I get from seeing all those books. While I’m there, I check out art books. These can be very expensive in book stores, so I check them out from the library for free.2. Enjoy Beautiful Smells.Maybe it’s the scent of a fabulous perfume (I have to admit, I’ve become a perfume nut) or the homey scent of vanilla or clean towels, but a lovely smell connects me to the present moment in a way that helps me think in new ways.3. Jump up and down a few times.When I behave in an energetic, childlike way, I see the world differently.4. Wander through a shop.I dislike shopping, but sometimes I enjoy going into a well-designed store. One woman told me about her ingenious way of giving herself a creative lift: Whenever she goes to a museum, she buys postcards of her favorite artwork and places them in a basket in her hallway. Every week or so, she pulls out a handful and places them in her car.When she’s stuck in traffic, she enjoys one while she’s waiting.5. Creative “Bootcamp”Other people I’ve talked to put themselves into a creativity “boot camp,” like finishing a scrapbook in a weekend, trying a new recipe every day for a week or spending an afternoon rearranging furniture. The intensity of doing something that requires you to think creatively in a short period of time helps stoke your creative fires. (And, if your family’s willing, have them join you for your creativity boot camp—a creative family is a happy family.)If you’re having trouble thinking of something creative to do, ask yourself: “What activities did I love when I was a child?” If you enjoyed something then, chances are, you’ll probably enjoy a version of it now. One friend loved to color, so one day, she bought a coloring book and a set of markers. Now she gains so much happiness from coloring.Or you may discover a new creative outlet through a class. Whether it’s learning how to play an instrument, taking great photos or painting, when you take a class, you’ll gain skills, meet people who share your interest and be held accountable for making progress.As an adult, it’s easy to think you’re not creative. But, trust me, finding ways to bring creativity into your life will boost your happiness. Because when you think in creative ways, you’re having fun, being intellectually stimulated, feeling satisfied—your overall quality of life improves.Gretchen Rubin is the bestselling author ofThe Happiness ProjectandHappier at Home, and is currently working on her latest book, scheduled for release in 2015. She is considered one of the most influential writers on happiness today, and has become an in-demand speaker and keynoter.You can read about Gretchen's adventures and habits on her blog atGretchenRubin.com.

What can Cubs fans teach us about happiness?

Practice

Winning Isn’t Everything

More than a century has passed since the MLB’s Chicago Cubs won their last World Series, and you would think Wrigleyville would be a barren ghost town. But it’s not, and despite coming up short season after season, Cubs fans still show up for Opening Day, filing into their sainted cathedral of all things baseball with the hopes and dreams that their beloved team will make it into October… or at the very least, a series sweep. George Ellis, a lifelong Cubs fan and managing editor for The Heckler, a satirical sports newspaper, wrote The Cubs Fan’s Guide to Happiness as a way for fans to cope with the disappointment of losing. “The Cubs don’t really win that often,” George says. “If Cubs fans can stay happy, basically in the face of might be a lesson there: We somehow stay optimistic despite the fact history hasn’t given us a reason to be.” It is tough being a lifelong Cubs fan, but the “Loveable Losers” will always bleed blue. They remain hopeful for the future, bounce back after defeat (a lot of defeat) and have a good time doing it. Spend one day at Wrigley Field, and you feel the optimism. That’s why George believes his and his fellow Cubs fans’ unique perspective can teach the rest of us a lot about happiness. “Win or lose, we're in heaven” There are other things to be happy about: watching baseball in one of the remaining original and historic ballparks; you never know who will show up to sing the seventh-inning stretch (hey, maybe it’s Bill Murray or Billy Corgan or Will Ferrell channeling Harry Caray); Chicago-style Vienna Beef hot dogs; and beer. No matter what happens on the field, there is still plenty to be happy about in life. If they happen to raise the “W” flag that day, that’s just icing on the cake. Above all, George says, “you gotta have fun.” “There's always next year” As Wrigley Field celebrates its centennial this year, the only thing older than the ballpark is the home team’s championship title drought, but even that doesn’t stop these fans from showing up. Cubs fans have a philosophy for when things don’t seem to be working out: “There’s always next year.” They don’t let the previous season stand in their way of hoping to see their home team hoist the Commissioner’s Trophy in the next Fall Classic. “We’re always looking for reasons to get over that hump,” George says. Whether it’s signing great players throughout the years, new ownership or a developing farm system, Cubs fans are always hopeful for what the future could bring. “Maybe this time it’s Rizzo and Samardzija…if he’s not traded,” he adds. In a not-so-shocking turn of events, pitcher Jeff Samardzija was traded to theOakland A’s on July 5. “Let's get some runs!” The fact that the Cubs still have a fan base is a testament to their resilience. After the collapse of the 2003 season, when the Cubs were only five outs away from going to the World Series and breaking the Curse of the Billy Goat, fans were devastated. “It was the saddest city I have ever seen,” George recalls. “But in a couple of weeks we were talking about how next year’s going to be ‘the year.’ We were so close. We have [Kerry] Wood and [Mark] Prior. They both can’t possibly get hurt.” The following season, the two star pitchers, dubbed the “Chicago Heat,” did, in fact, suffer injuries. And despite the strong season, the Cubs missed the playoffs. But streaks and curses can’t last forever, right? “If you stay loyal long enough, when it does actually happen, it will be the best payoff in the history of sports,” George says. “Eamuscatuli!” (“Let's go cubs!”) Fans of the Cubbies share something very unique in sports: Most, if not all, of them were not alive the last time the North Siders won a World Series. That’s an impressive feat no matter which side of the city you claim. “There’s something fun in banding together, and just because it hasn’t gone our way, I think there’s a bonding experience when a group of people are fighting for the same thing,” George says. Thanks to superstation WGN, even the fans who move away from Chicago can still watch games and keep their Cubs connection. When the day does happen and the Cubs make it to baseball’s Promised Land, fans like George will be able to truly witness something amazing together. The friendly confines of Wrigley Field Most Cubs games at Wrigley Field take place during the day, so more often than not, the Cubs fan will have to take the day off from work or school to attend.But that’s OK, because a day in “The Friendly Confines” with good friends, njoying the great game of baseball and creating positive memories that will last a lifetime make playing hooky worth it—just try not to catch any home run balls on camera. “One moment you’re in the middle of a bustling Chicago neighborhood, and the next moment, you’re inside a stadium that has been around for 100 years,” George explains. “Say what you want about the ballpark needing some work, but the scoreboard, ivy and Old World feel of the place just make it special.” Life is hard sometimes, and there are plenty of reasons to jump off the happy wagon, but where’s the fun in that? Cubs fans prove that there are things in life worth being optimistic about and the beer cup is half-full. Since there’s no crying in baseball, when life starts shelling you with grand slams, do what every self-respecting Cubs fan would do: Just throw it back.

Self-Care

Top 10 Tips to Boost Your Happiness

1. Set boundaries at work. If you are feeling frustrated, stressed or overwhelmed at work, your boundaries might be too porous. Practice identifying, asking for and keeping important boundaries. 2. Become a happiness broadcaster What you put out comes back to you. The next time someone asks you how you are, instead of just saying 'fine,' why not respond with something positive and meaningful? It's a way to build a stronger connection to that person. 3. Invest in your own wellbeing Quick wellness tip: If you want to feel more energetic and motivated, try going to bed one hour earlier. Many Americans are sleep deprived, and don’t even know it. 4. Create a new tiny habit If you want to read that book on your desk but feel overwhelmed by the thought, scale back to something very small. Start by reading just 10 pages a day, every day. Simple tasks require far less motivation and willpower to follow through. 5. Make a success list We all have patterns in our lives. The key is to identify, create and repeat the patterns or behaviors that continually lead to success. 6. Spruce up your workspace Prevent a monthly pile-up of paperwork and files by decluttering your desk on a weekly basis. It will give you an inner sense of calm. 7. Be aware of what’s going on with your teenager If you see your teenage son or daughter behaving differently than usual, it’s a red flag. Learn how to identify the hallmarks of depression, and to discern the difference between a serious disorder and normal teen angst. 8. Ease stress for the whole family American families today are time-starved and stressed. Try to establish schedules and routines, and stick to them. Consistency and predictability help control your home environment and can ease stress for the whole family. 9. Talk back to 'the voice' Use positive self-talk to combat self-doubt and the nagging negative voice inside your head—the one that tells you you're not good enough. 10. Take happiness seriously If you want anything in life, you have to study it! Become a student of happiness by reading one of our top-10 recommended books on the subject.

Self-Care

6 Steps to a Happy Monday

Poor Mondays. The black sheep day of the week, they always get a bad rap.Here are six tips to help you love, instead of dread, Mondays.1. Don’t buy into the Monday hypeIf you believe Mondays are terrible, you might look for little things to prove your case. You stub your toe in the morning and automatically think, “Yep, here we go, this whole day is going to be a disaster.” How can you enjoy your Monday if you think Mondays are doomed? Don’t program your brain to scan for the bad stuff. Change your outlook to view Monday as the start of your spectacular week.2. Make Mondays easierWhat can you do on Sunday to make your Monday go more smoothly? Put outfits out for the kids ahead of time? Make a dish in the slow cooker to heat up Monday evening? Make sure your fridge it stocked up? Review your calendar for the week on Sunday nightand make your to-do list for the week. Then get a good night’s sleep so you can start the week refreshed.3. Identify why you don't like MondaysIf your stomach is in knots on Monday morning because you dread going to work, or you desperately wish you had a different job, it’s going to be tough to convince you to give your Monday some love. Do a gut check to identify the current obstacles to your everyday happiness and come up with a game plan to change your circumstances.4. Create Monday momentumMondays are the blank slate of your week. What project can you tackle and accomplish on Monday to start your week super-charged? What would your day look like if you felt fabulous at the end of it? Maybe a good workout at the beginning of your day would set the momentum, or cleaning out your desk or a closet so you feel fresh and organized for the days ahead.5. Fuel your happiness with anticipationIf Mondays are a struggle, schedule some things on your weekly calendar that you look forward to with anticipation, like a special date night or a fun family outing. Buy a new book you are excited to devour. Plan a call with a friend you haven’t talked to in ages. Anticipation helps fuel happiness, so incorporate it into your day.6. Turn Monday into Funday.Are there certain things you never do on Monday because it’s Monday? Maybe you never go out to dinner, or you rarely work from a coffee shop. Do something on Monday that will make it not feel like Monday. Bring breakfast treats into your office for everyone. Go to a movie with your spouse. Just doing something differently on Mondays can give you a happier feel.How do you perk up your Mondays? Let us know below or on our Facebook page.

Reading

Top 10 Books About Happiness

When you're a kid, you didn’t have to think about happiness. You wake up happy. You play and giggled, and live in the moment. As adults with stressful lives, it’s a challenge to maintain good spirits, let alone that kind of carefree happiness. But that doesn't stop us from trying.Lately there has been an explosion of books that aim to help us find happiness—everything from collections of quotes with bright yellow covers to serious tomes written by psychology professors. In-between are plenty of straight-up self-help guides, and a few Buddhist-tinged titles as well.Some of the books we chose for this list are more focused on finding success, while others take a spiritual approach. But they have one thing in common: They take happiness seriously.10% Happierby Dan HarrisSynposis: Meditation can help you focus on the present moment rather than worry about the future. Improve your health, sharpen your focus and enjoy a sense of inner calm. Start by sitting quietly for five minutes and just focus on your breathing. Find out more.The Art of Happinessby the Dalai LamaSynopsis:When life gets complicated, take a step back and remind yourself of your overall purpose or goal. Reflect on what will truly bring you happiness and then reset your priorities accordingly; this can give you a fresh perspective on what direction to take.Authentic Happinessby Martin E.P.SeligmanSynopsis:What is the good life? It’s actually a simple path. A pleasant life might be champagne and a sports car, but the good life is using your signature strengths every day to produce authentic happiness and abundant gratification.Written by the founder of the positive psychology movement.The Four Agreementsby Don Miguel RuizSynopsis: 1. Be impeccable with your word and speak with integrity. 2. Don’t take anything personally and realize people say and do things because of their own reality. 3. Don’t make assumptions and communicate clearly with others. 4. Always do your best. There, now you don't even have to read the book.The Happiness Advantageby ShawnAchorSynopsis:Insights gained from Harvard studies on happiness include: Habits are like financial capital. Forming one today is an investment that will automatically give out returns for years to come.The Happiness Projectby Gretchen RubinSynopsis: Are you focused on the things that really matter to you? Set measurable goals in an area of your life you want to improve (marriage, parenting, work, self-fulfillment) and build on those goals cumulatively with specific action steps. For example, increase your energy by going to bed early, getting organized and exercising more.The Gifts of ImperfectionbyBreneBrownSynopsis:Give up perfection. Take risks and put your true self out into the world. Use courage, compassion and connection to live a fuller life. Each day think, “I am enough.”The Magic of Thinking Bigby David J. SchwartzSynopsis: Believe it can be done and you will succeed. When you really believe, your mind will find the ways to do it. Believing in a solution paves the way to making that solution a reality.The Slight Edgeby Jeff OlsonSynopsis: It’s great to have dreams and aspirations, says Live Happy founder Jeff Olson. But it’s the small things we do in the moment that have a cumulative, compounding effect. You can achieve anything you want, but the only way to make it happen is not through quantum leaps, but by doing the little things over and over every single day. Find out more.Stumbling on Happinessby Daniel GilbertSynopsis:We aren’t very good at predicting what will make us happy, says Harvard professor Gilbert. Challenge what your imagination dreams up for the future. Strike a balance between feeling good enough to cope with a situation but bad enough to do something about it. Use your emotions as a compass to tell you what to do.

Reflect on Happy Memories to Jumpstart Your Mood

What Listeners Are Saying About Wake Up Happy!

Succeed by Failing

The Healing Power of Restorative Yoga

Top 5 Timesaving Tips for the Kitchen

5 Ways to Kickstart Your Creativity

Winning Isn’t Everything

Top 10 Tips to Boost Your Happiness

6 Steps to a Happy Monday

Top 10 Books About Happiness

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