9 Lovely Thoughts That Will Brighten Your Day

9 Lovely Thoughts That Will Brighten Your Day

We all have our bad days. We rip our favorite pair of jeans, we mess up a presentation at work, we break up with our significant others. In the moment it can seem like the world is ending.

The good news is these events are all relative. Chances are, 10 minutes, 10 days or 10 years from now, you won't remember why you were so upset. But in the moment, that knowledge is hardly comforting.

That's where positivity comes in -- sometimes all you need is a little shift in perspective to make a bad day better. So if you're feeling down and out, check out the happy thoughts below to perk you up.

You've made someone laugh.

friends being silly

If you're feeling blue, recall a time where you and a loved one laughed so hard your belly hurt. Isn't it nice to know that you've brought joy to someone's life in some capacity? Research shows that laughing can reduce our stress and boost our memory. Seems like laughter really is the best medicine.

You're someone's best friend.
Genuine friends are hard to come by, but when we find them, they're one of our most cherished resources. Who else knows you better? As a friend, you help reduce your BFF's stress, boost their happiness and even may help them live longer. Props to you for being that rock!

You've survived a major change.

change

Climbing mountains and overcoming challenges is an inevitable part of life -- and chances are, you've already conquered several of them (graduating from high school or proving yourself in the workplace, anyone?). If you're ruminating on a current "mistake" or "failure," remember that it's only temporary. By pushing through life's obstacles, you open yourself up to improvement. Cheers to that.

You're never too young or too old to try something new.
Age really is just a number. Mozart was only 5 when he became competent on the violin, and Leonardo da Vinci was 51 when he painted the Mona Lisa. Success has no expiration date -- and neither should your dreams.

You're in charge of your own happiness.

happy

It may seem like you're on the constant pursuit of happiness, but we're here to be the bearers of good news: Joy isn't as elusive as you think. Instead of waiting for happiness to come to you, some experts believe you have the power to make it happen all on your own -- and it all starts with a few simple tricks. Check out these research-backed ways to take control of your own happiness.

There's always one good thing about your day.
Most of your waking hours may have been rotten, but if you think about it, there has to be one silver lining in a day full of dark clouds. It may be as simple as seeing your dog or catching the subway right as it pulls up to the platform, but even a little victory is still a victory. Plus, thinking about what you're grateful for has been shown to increase positive feelings and optimism, which is just what you need when you're feeling down.

You have the power to improve someone's mood.

love

All it takes is five seconds and a quick grin to transform a bad attitude into a happier one. Research shows smiling at a stranger can make people feel more connected. Not to mention, smiling may also boost your mood. It's a win-win for everyone (and it makes the world a nicer place).

You live in a world where random acts of kindness exist.
It can be easy to focus on all the negative news, but when you're feeling down about the state of the world, just remember that generosity also exists. From everyday heroes like the business owner who gave food and gloves to a man in need to charitable celebrities like Taylor Swift, who helped one fan pay her student loans, a whole lot of good can be found if you choose to look for it. Looking to pay it forward? Check out these random acts of kindness you can do any day of the week.

Someone loves you for exactly who you are.

hugging dog

Whether it be your parents, your partner, your friends or even the pup above, there's someone in the universe that accepts and loves you unconditionally. Research shows that love can improve our mental health and boost our heart health, among many other benefits. Now that's something to feel good about.

This GPS Guide is part of a series of posts designed to bring you back to balance when you're feeling off course.

GPS Guides are our way of showing you what has relieved others' stress in the hopes that you will be able to identify solutions that work for you. We all have de-stressing "secret weapons" that we pull out in times of tension or anxiety, whether they be photos that relax us or make us smile, songs that bring us back to our heart, quotes or poems that create a feeling of harmony or meditative exercises that help us find a sense of silence and calm. We encourage you to visit our other GPS Guides here, and share with us your own personal tips for finding peace, balance and tranquility.

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