By Rebecca Jones

Happiness is often elusive in an era of uncertaintity, financial worry and pressure both at work and at home. Often times we find ourselves trapped in a spiral of negative emotions and experiences that seems virtually overwhelming. The good news is that there are a million small changes we can make throughout our day that encourages our brain to retain positive experiences and minimize the impact of negative ones. Here are 8 things you can do to not only feel happier today but set in motion a happier more fulfilling future as well.

Try New Things

If you have a long list of things you’ve always wanted to try there is no time like the present. People who engage in a wide variety of experiences tend to recall more postive emotions and retain fewer negative ones.

Think Positive

Holding yourself up tall and straight, using positive vocabulary and projecting an upbeat tone of voice can actually have an effect on your brains chemistry. As your brain releases more seratonin you will begin to actually feel as happy as the image that you are projecting.

Spend More Time Between the Sheets

Physical acts of intimacy not only release endorphins that minimize pain and induce feelings of euphoria but  the hormone oxytocin as well. Often called the hormone of love, oxytocin promotes feelings of bonding, intimacy and trust all elements that promote a sense of overall happiness and well being.

(More on Kwikblog.kwikmed.com: 6 Indulgences You Don’t Need to Feel Guilty About)

Listen to Your Favorite Music

Music has a way of changing our whole perspective it taps into our psyche and can evoke memories of happy experiences. Listening to music can release endporphins the same way that food or sex does and can actually lower blood pressure and heart rate and reduce feelings of anxiety.

Get in Touch with Your Spirituality

Studies have shown that those with a strong sense of faith are happier than their atheist peers. Engaging in prayer or meditation can reduce stress, tension and anxiety while belonging to a faith can help you feel connected to a group, enjoy a sense of purpose and find a reason to think of poeple other than yourself.

Get Up and Moving

Nothing makes you feel better than a stong influx of endorphins and the best way to get them flowing is to kick your body into high gear. While going to the gym is a pleasure for some it is not the only way to work up a sweat; play with your kids in the park or take a dance class any increase in activity is guarenteed to be a real mood booster.

(More on kwikblog.kwikmed.com: How to Get More Exercise Without Really Trying)

Embrace Your Cultural Identity

Those who embrace their heritage find it easier to connect and bond with others. Feeling a part of something larger than yourself and developing a strong sense of identity is known to help generate an overall postive experience of the world.

Smile

Our brains tend to rebel against cognitive dissonance so we will automatically attempt to match our thought to our actions. Not only will putting on a smile change the way you are feeling it will also encourage the people around you to smile more too.

By committing ourselves to the pursuit of happiness we can slowly but surely alter our perceptions of the world. Though we might not always feeling like smiling it seems that there really is some truth to the saying “fake it until you make it.” Don’t forget how much control you have over your own happiness and your ability to inspire happiness in those around you.