6 Ways To Be Happier Right Now!

6 Ways To Be Happier Right Now 6 Ways To Be Happier Right NowPosted December 17, 2013, by Marni WilliamsHappiness We could all do with a bit more of it in our lives Whether youre after a sunnier disposition and new outlook on life, or simply want to find some quick hacks to help you put a smile on your dial, weve got the answers.I chat to Dr. Timothy Sharp, Chief Happiness Officer at the Happiness Institute and lecturer in Positive Psychology at RMIT School of Health Sciences, to find out what it takes to give our serotonin levels a much-needed boost.1. Choose to be happierDr Sharp, who is also a clinical psychologist, explains that becoming happier starts with making a concious choice to improve mood. To begin with, make a choice to be happier. Setting happiness as a goal is a great first step, but then its important to ensure that you do the right things to make this a reality. So what are these right things? Sharp suggestsSet a number of specific, meaningful life goalsDevelop a health programFoster an attitude of gratitude and optimismBuild positive relationshipsAnd have fun2. Set some goals that arent about moneyWho ever got anywhere without setting themselves a goal and a deadline? I for one would probably never finish this article without them. But to be certain that your goals are actually going to lead to happiness, make sure they relate to the things that make you most content. This may surprise some, but money alone doesnt keep us happy in the workplace. The third annual Stress and Wellbeing Survey conducted by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) has shown that enhanced wellbeing and reduced stress are related to supportive leadership, recognition and feedback, feeling valued and cared for by employers, clear role definition, the prioritisation of health and safety and support for family issues. Similarly, companies with the most psychologically healthy workplaces provided reward and recognition, communicated expectations and demonstrated the link between an employees role and the bigger picture. So if you really want to be happy, first concentrate on goals that will enhance your wellbeing, whether that be through career change, professional developmentor a new job, and make sure you find an environment where your hard work will be noticed.3. Get healthy inside and outDr Sharp certainly isnt the first rolle to link health and happiness, but for many, health starts to lag on the priority list. The Sydney Morning Heralds Wellbeing Index, published each quarter, has suggested that the cost of our health problems is so big that if you halved Australias obesity rate, it would have an effect similar to large-scale economic improvement. Mental health is a key component here, with the APS survey showing workers are presenting more depressive symptoms and anxiety than in the