How to Up Your Happiness Factor With the Happiness Evaluation Test

You'll find clarity about your happiness through this exercise.

Let’s face it.  Tell me one person that couldn’t use an extra boost of happiness in their day.  After all, look at the state of the world and it’s no wonder most of us are feeling like a dark cloud is hanging over her heads.  Therefore, it’s time to take a quick test that I call a happiness evaluation of what brings you joy.

Before you begin, get a pen and a sheet of paper to write your thoughts down. You can also start a daily journal as a helpful resource to your journey of self-discovery. You don’t want to rush so leave your work out for when more of it comes to you.  

Ask Yourself What Instantly Brings Out Your Smile

Ask yourself what is the first thing that comes to your mind that makes you smile.  Is it the face of your child doing something funny or a grandchild to a sweet gesture that your hubby, boyfriend or girlfriend did that warmed your heart?  Maybe it was your best friend that could have taken you on a wild, fun adventure that as soon as you think about it is making you giggle.  Then again, it could be of the furry variety such as your new puppy doing something silly or a cuddly kitten that, perhaps, is afraid of her reflection in the mirror, etc. that does it for you to start feeling more cheery.

Don’t forget other fond memories can be vacations, a new car, a house, expensive pair of shoes, etc. that you bought or are hoping to buy that gives you a happy rush.  The mere thought of that trip or fun in that house to the compliments that you know you’ll receive on your feet once in those shoes can trigger a happy face. 

Write everything that makes you smile on that sheet of paper.  You will be adding more, but it is important to keep that sheet where you can easily see it as a reminder of what makes you happy enough to genuinely smile.

Repetition of the Happy Thought Can Embed Itself in Your Mind

What I’m saying is you can locate happiness just by replaying an old memory or a thought in your mind.  I always found it helps to close your eyes like a dark screen waiting for the actual movie before powering up that happy memory like a mini movie.   Envisioning the thought in your mind can start cranking in the brain’s endorphins to feel happier before you know it.  

An Ongoing List or Journal to View Keeps Your Mind Focused in a Happier Place 

The happiness list that you compile can be as long or short as you need.  The value of taking this simple test or detailing your happiness notes in a journal is because it constantly reminds you of all that is good in your life to be grateful for.

Easy Ways to Boost Spirits and Let in Some Happiness!

First off, but you need to stop criticizing your faults and failures for all your problems.  Give yourself credit  for your accomplishments instead.  All that matters is realizing you did something that you're proud of even as small as hemming a pair of jeans can impact the way you can feel about yourself.  Remembering accomplishments can help lift your bleak mood and increase happiness.

Do yourself a favor and jot down everything in a journal that makes you happy.  Does chocolate make you smile?  How about the vacation you had and wished would go on forever? Maybe it's that particular dress that got you all the compliments that you may want to include.  Write about whatever comes to your mind that conjures up happy thoughts.  Better yet, you can include photos and relive those special times in your happiness journal.  Taking your book out whenever you need a smile and flipping through those pages can help accomplish miracles once you remember those cherished thoughts.

Aromatherapy can also change your mood and help put you on the road to happiness.  If you're stressed, you could try lighting a citrus-scented candle and slowly breathe in, then out.  Concentrate on the scent instead of what is triggering the stress, and this could ease your mood. 

You might also want to try a few drops of orange essence oil to some fragrance-free hand lotion can lessen anxiety as well. 

Do something nice for yourself.  Bake something delicious, go shopping even if you just browse, get a different hairstyle,  whatever it takes to get you thinking exciting thoughts of happy anticipation again.

Making someone else happy in need of a boost will help both you and the person in ways you can't measure.  Genuine kindness that you share with another that comes without thinking from your heart has amazing healing power to spread warmth and happiness.  Trust me, any unselfish act of kindness you give another always is returned in an unexpected, larger way!