5 ways to improve your life instantly

SMILE – A smile is a sign of goodwill, and therefore indicates to social contacts that you mean well.  They are more likely to smile back, to feel better, and to widen the circle of kindness around you.  Furthermore, your body reacts to your own smile by releasing happier chemicals.  So it’s a win-win.

BREATHE – Well, obviously.  If you don’t, you die.  But I mean take in a decent amount of oxygen, and pace your breathing so that it is slightly deeper, and more even.  This improves your physiological equilibrium (by reducing oxygen debt), as well as your psychological balance (by enhancing mindfulness and focus).

SEND A THANK-YOU MESSAGE – Wherever you are, you can send a message to someone thanking them for something they’ve done, or just for being there.  We are often so busy worrying and planning, that we forget the freedom we have to increase goodwill just by showing respect right now, in an uncomplicated way.

TIDY SOMETHING UP – Many people don’t tidy up because they don’t know where to start.  But you can tidy one area, one drawer, one shelf.  You can even clean one shoe, one plate, one window sill.  However small your action, you will be improving your situation.

GIVE SOMETHING TO SOMEONE – This could be a card, or words of support, or help with a task.  It could be an offer of help, a piece of information, a small piece of shopping, or a small gift of food.  It increases the sum total of happiness.  Giving helps you move out of yourself, and helps others have a more positive view of the world.