For example, if you go to family gatherings and get pestered by older family members, say things are great, even if they’re not. Even if you’re sad about things, pretend like life is going okay and don’t say much beyond that.
If someone asks how you’re doing and you’re not prepared to say how you really feel, shift the subject by saying, “I’m really happy to see that the sun is out today. ” If someone asks, “How are you and your spouse?” and you’d rather not talk about your marital difficulties, change the subject. Say, “We’re doing fine. Did I tell you about my son’s recent karate match?”
For example, if someone asks about your love life and you’d rather not get into it, say, “Great, thanks for asking. ”
Whether you’re happy or not, smiling can actually help you improve your mood. If you’re trying to lift yourself out of a rut, smile as much as you can.
When making eye contact, try to smile and appear interested, engaged, and happy.
Exude confidence in how you carry yourself, sit, stand, and walk. Appearing small may make people wonder if something is wrong.
If you don’t know what to do with your hands, hold something like a cup of coffee or a water bottle.
Listen to songs with positive and optimistic lyrics and songs that tend to make you feel good. Some examples might be “Happy” by Pharrell Williams and “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers.
For example, if you used to love going on walks, start taking walks again. If cooking brought you joy, find something to make for dinner tonight.
Letting your feelings stay bottled up will cause you to feel more unhappy and can harm your overall health in the long run. [13] X Research source
Write in a journal, write song lyrics, listen to music, dance, paint, or draw. Whatever you do, it should help you work through your feelings and express them in a meaningful way.
Find a therapist by contacting your insurance provider or a local mental health clinic. You can also get a recommendation from a family member or friend.
