1. Happiness comes from being in touch with who you are. Yeah, that squirmy self you do your best to hide is your key to happiness. Your parents gave you a bucket of genes and box of neuroses. You may be serotonin starved, endorphin addicted and histamine overloaded. You may know how to feel guilty about a clear sunrise, may be able to add 20 pounds to that shape in the mirror without breaking a sweat and feel like 2+2 is beyond your grasp. Secret: it doesn't matter, happiness is relative. When you move just a step toward the beautiful, smart, calm, insightful and charming person you want to be, your day is a success. Call it a day and declare happiness.
2. Do happy. Do what makes you feel good about what you've done.
3. Use Emotional Intelligence - Learn to trust your emotional instincts. Happiness comes when you take an emotional risk and don't end up as a lump of ground meat. Your emotional brain is smarter than your lizard brain (the one that tells you to not take risks). Learn to listen to your smart parts.
4. Take Care of Your Body - Sunshine makes you feel better. Vitamin D helps you feel alive. A little bit of good food makes you feel better than buckets of empty foods. If you don't get joy from making the food, the food isn't good for you. Exercise like a little kid. Run because you like being fast. Jump because you feel like you fly.
5. Build resilience - Bad stuff happens. It happens to all of us. Don't waste your day asking "why?". Scream, cry hysterically, pound the wall one time, then move onto something that will make you happier.
6. Find pleasure in life - remember life is a song, a dance, a ride, a leap. It is not hitting the best last note, the best final pose, the destination or the other side. Happiness comes from good experiences, so experience the good.
Discover something new. Learn a new thing each day. Go to bed smarter than when you awoke.
7. Act Happy - You don't get strong by wishing you had big muscles. You don't get happy by wishing you had happiness. Practice being happy. Try new experiences. Talk to new people. Do new things. Keep the ones that help you be happy. Listen to music, all kinds; find beauty in things that aren't your current favorites. Make music. Even 'stupid' music makes people smile. Dance randomly. You'll be amazed how happy people get if you do a little dance or sing a little song at dull moments. Your excuse is always "I just feel so happy I have to dance/sing/quote Shakespeare/draw sidewalk art". That makes those around happier and you get happier when they do.
8. Live life - Make a difference. Help those you see be a little happier. Your goal is to have others say,"he made me feel good about myself", and " she makes me feel happier when she is around".
Don't do what others expect you to do. Understand what is morally good to you. Live your moral principles, not someone else's. Your parents won't always be watching, find a moral code that makes a positive contribution to your life and to the lives of those you connect with.
9. Be honest - speak your thoughts and desires in a kindly way. You have value. Put "you" out on the stage of life as truthfully as you can. Get passionate about culture, politics, justice and community.
10. Know who you are - you are stronger, smarter, prettier, funnier, kinder, wiser than you think you are. Put the doubts away and be your best. Nobody ever lost a friend for being too smart, attractive, funny, kind, wise or loving. Yes, this repeats #1. Happiness is a cycle. Plan how to be happy, Do what you plan 100%, Check if you are happier, Act on what you learn. Repeat.
