Being happy is about more than just feeling good. Happiness is vital for a healthy, productive life. The great news is that it doesn’t take a lot to increase your happiness. Here are a few easy things you can do.

Smile

Smiling is one of the easiest things you can do to increase your happiness. It doesn’t take a lot of effort, and the results are incredible. The trick, however, is that you have to mean it. Faking a smile can actually have the opposite effect. Honest smiles help to alleviate stress, and (even better) they’re contagious.

Spend Time in Nature

Get outside and spend some time in nature. Going for a walk outdoors does a few things for you. For one, it provides you with exercise, which increases your endorphins (a natural mood booster). Being outside also allows you to appreciate the beauty of nature and can help you to feel happy to be alive.

Do Something Nice for Someone Else

Doing something nice for someone else gives you a feel-good vibe like no other. There’s something special about doing something for someone simply because you want to, not because you feel obligated to do it. So get out there, be a kindness butterfly, and spread the joy.

Keep a Gratefulness Journal

Find a journal you like and your favorite pen. Write down at least three things you’re grateful for at the end of each day. Even if you had a bad day, you might be surprised to find that you’re still grateful for at least a few things. Plus, you can go back through on any given day and remind yourself of all the things you’re happy to have in your life.

Live In the Moment

Sometimes, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the things you have to do. Instead of worrying about what you have to do in the future, live in the moment. Focus on the now and what’s around you. Take a few moments to breathe deeply and pay attention to how you feel. These moments of mindfulness can help immensely.

Be Kind to Yourself

To be happy, you have to treat yourself well. Do things you enjoy, eat well, and get plenty of rest each night. The nicer you are to yourself, the easier it is to be happy.

Being happy is beneficial to your mental and physical well-being. While you don’t have to be happy all of the time, these tips can help to give you a little boost.