Keep a diary: Instead of talking about your problems, write them down. People who spend a few moments a day structuring their thoughts on paper experience a remarkable boost in their physical and psychological wellbeing.
Smile, sit up and act happy: You might not feel like it, but the easiest way to be happy is to start acting as if you are. Smile for a few seconds, sit up straight instead of slouching and act jolly. Your mood will soon follow suit.
Buy experiences, not things: Shopping till you drop might seem like a good way to banish the blues, but research shows that you’ll feel a whole lot better if you spend your money on a holiday, a concert or a meal.
Dresses, shoes and gadgets give you a short-term buzz, but new experiences and spending time with friends will make you happier in the long run.
Make plans: People don’t just find themselves at the top of Everest – you need a plan if you want to achieve your goals. Luckily, researchers have now discovered the six key elements that make a scheme successful.
They are to write it down; tell friends about it; draw up a timetable; break it up into achievable steps; reward yourself after completing each step; and spend time reminding yourself of the benefits of reaching your goal.
Seize the day: If you have a tendency to procrastinate, researchers recommend that you start small, and work on the task you keep putting off for just a few minutes. Starting any activity causes anxiety, which will not be relieved until the work is done.
Even the smallest of starts, therefore, will trick your brain into wanting to see the project through to the end.
Take centre stage: Want to boost your chances of making a good impression at a meeting or social gathering? Simply sit near the middle of the table or group. Researchers believe that when assessing a group, people use a basic rule of thumb: important people sit at the heart of it.
Ask for a favour: As long as the favour is relatively small (e.g. borrowing a book), research shows that asking someone to do a little something for you will actually make them like you more.
Eat fast, then slow down: While dozens of diet books advise you to eat slowly in order to feel fuller, research shows that people who start eating at their normal rate before slowing down to half their normal speed experience an even greater reduction in appetite – and lose weight accordingly.
Throw away the big plates: The larger your fork, spoon or plate, the more you will try to fit on it. Keep them small and your portions – and waistline – will follow.
Read more at DailyMail UK
