How to Style Wet Hair

On those days when you’re running late, you don’t always have enough time to wash, blow dry, and style your hair how you normally would. When you’re on the go but still need to make your wet hair look presentable, fashion your hair in some simple and easy hairstyles that take minutes to put up.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Styling Wet Hair In a Topknot Bun

1. Spray your hair with a detangler. A detangler will help lubricate knots and tangles so you can run your fingers through your hair easily. Hold the detangling spray about 6 inches (15 centimeters) away from your hair, and spray about 4 to 6 squirts onto your hair.^[1] You may consider spraying a few more squirts if your hair is long or has a lot of texture.
   
   • Be sure to spray not only the top layers of your hair, but also the under layers as well.
2. Pull your hair back into a ponytail. When most of the tangles are removed, brush your hair back, and up into a high ponytail position at the crown of your head. You can use your fingers to smooth out your hair if it is very wet.^[2]
   
   • Use the brush to smooth out any bumps and incorporate loose hairs into your beginning ponytail.
3. Secure your ponytail. Use a hair tie to secure your high ponytail. Twist it around your hair as many times as necessary to hold it in place, but avoid making it tighter than necessary. When your ponytail is tied, run your fingers through the ponytail to smooth out your hair.^[3]
   
   • If your ponytail looks too tight, you can gently tug some hairs forward from the ponytail to loosen the look.
4. Twist the ponytail into a bun. Twist the ponytail in one direction, starting at the base of the ponytail and continuing down to the ends.^[4] When you get to the ends of the ponytail, continue twisting. The ponytail will start to twist around itself. Following the natural twist, wrap the ponytail around the hair tie to create a twisted bun.
   
5. Secure the bun. When you’re finished wrapping the ponytail and have a twisted bun, hold the ends of your hair in place. Secure the ends of the ponytail with a bobby pin. Push a bobby pin over the ends and through, to the center of the bun.^[5]
   
   • You may want to add a few more bobby pins around the bun for extra hold.
6. Mist your hair with hairspray. Gently spray the top of your hair with hairspray to keep everything in place and tame flyaway hairs.^[6] Softly run your hands over your hair to smooth your hair back.
   
   • Consider spraying behind your head to keep any shorter back airs from falling out of your bun.

[Edit]Styling Wet Hair In a Double Twist Bun

1. Part your hair. Use your fingers or a comb to part your hair down the center of your head. Then pull back a section from the top on each side of your center part to create two side parts extending to the backs of both your ears. Clip these two side sections of hair so they stay out of the way.^[7]
   
2. Make two ponytails from the middle section of hair. With the section of your hair (the section in the middle of the back of your head that you have not clipped up yet), create two even ponytails a little bit above the nape of your neck. Tie these ponytails very close together in the middle of your head, so you can’t see the part separating them.^[8]
   
   • Use small, thin, elastic hair ties to tie these ponytails.
3. Twist the two ponytails. Twist each ponytail one at a time, twisting from the base of the ponytail down to the ends. When you get to the end of the ponytail, continue twisting. The ponytail will start to twist and wrap around itself. Wrap the ponytail around its base and tuck the ends into the elastic hair tie.^[9]
   
   • Twist and wrap the other ponytail around its base and secure it, so you have two, small buns right next to each other.
4. Twist the sides of your hair. Unclip the two side sections of your hair, and twist back one section at a time, starting from your forehead. Continue to twist the hair back towards the two small buns. Lay the twisted side section over the top of the two buns, and wrap it underneath if your hair is long enough.^[10]
   
   • Twist the other side section of your hair, and again, lay that section over the top of the two buns, overlapping the first twisted side section.
5. Secure the twists over the two buns. When your two side sections are both twisted and wrapped around the two small buns, secure them with a few bobby pins.^[11]
   

[Edit]Styling Wet Hair With a Headband Tuck

1. Naturally part your hair. Gather all of your hair from the ends and hold it in both of your hands. Push your gathered hair up from the bottom, so your hair falls to the sides and creates your natural part.^[12] Use your fingers to smooth out your part and add any stray hairs to the correct side of the part.
   
2. Tousle your hair. When your hair is parted down its natural part, shake your hands through the ends of your hair to break up pieces of hair that are stuck together and give your hair some texture.^[13]
   
   • If you want to, you can also work a small amount of mousse through the middle and ends of your hair for added texture.
3. Place an elastic headband over your hair. Use both hands to stretch out an elastic headband and place it on top of your hair, as if you were putting on a hat.^[14] Adjust the front, top portion of the headband so it sits where you’d like it, and be sure to keep the back, bottom portion of the headband over your hair.
   
4. Wrap and tuck the ends of your hair into the headband. When your headband is in place, take small sections of the end pieces of your hair, wrap them over the headband, and tuck them in to the elastic.^[15] Consider starting from the center of the back of your head, and working your way outward, toward your ears.
   
   • The tucks don’t have to be perfectly symmetrical. When the tucks are uneven (tighter tucks, looser tucks), it gives your hairstyle some pretty texture.
   • If you have shorter hair that can’t tuck all the way into the elastic headband, use bobby pins to secure any loose pieces of hair.

[Edit]Styling Wet Hair With a Low Looped Ponytail

1. Center part your hair. Create a center part through your hair by dragging the first tooth of a comb down the middle of your scalp. Be sure that the part goes directly through the middle of your head.^[16]
   
2. Add in a shine-enchancing product. Spray a small amount of a shine-enhancing product through your hair and comb it through from the roots of your hair to the ends. If your hair is thicker or wavy, you can rub in a small amount of flexible gel throughout your hair.^[17]
   
   • The shine spray or flexible gel will add a glossy look and little bit of hold to your hair. This will help your ponytail look as sleek as possible.
3. Tie your hair in a low loop. Gather all of your hair at the nape of your neck. Use an elastic hair tie to secure your hair. As you are making your ponytail, only pull half of your ponytail through the last rotation of the elastic hair tie.This will form a loop in your hair, with the ends of your hair near the bottom of the ponytail base.^[18]
   
   • You should have about 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 centimeters) of hair hanging out from the loop.
4. Secure the ends of your hair. Hold onto the loop with one hand, and wrap the ends of your hair around the base of the ponytail to cover up the elastic hair tie. Push about two or three bobby pins into the wrapped ends and underneath the elastic hair tie.^[19]
   
   • Crisscrossing the bobby pins over each other adds extra hold.
5. Smooth over with shine spray. Finish your hairstyle by lightly misting on some shine spray. Run your hands over the surface of your hair to even out any frizz. This style looks best the shinier and sleeker you make your hair.^[20]
   

[Edit]Styling Wet Hair With a Four Strand Braid

1. Add some hair-taming products. Add in some hair product to help manage your strands as you’re braiding. The right product for you will depend on the texture of your hair. If you have fine and soft hair, spray a little bit of shine spray all over. If your hair is a bit thicker, wavy, and coarse, add in a small amount of cream or gel.^[21]
   
2. Divide your hair into four sections. Pull all of your hair back so it lays behind your shoulders and separate your hair into four equal sections: one section on each side and two equal sections in the back.^[22] It may be easier to remember the braiding pattern if you number the strands of hair 1, 2, 3, 4 from the left.
   
3. Braid your hair. With your four sections of hair separated, take your right hand and grab the second section of hair from the left, section 2. Cross it all the way over to the right, over the other two sections of hair, sections 3 and 4. Keep holding that section of hair, section 2, over to the right.
   
   • Take the remaining two sections on the left side of your head, sections 3 and 1, and twist them so section 3 twists over section 1, and section 3 is the new leftmost section of hair.
   • Mirror and repeat this process from the right side of your head: Take the second section of hair from the right, section 4, and cross it over the two left side sections of hair, sections 3 and 1. Keep holding section 4 all the way over to the left.
   • Take the remaining two sections of hair that are on the right side, section 1 and section 2, and twist them so section 1 twists over section 2.
   • As you braid, your hair will begin to look like rope. Keep braiding in this fashion until you reach the ends of your hair.
4. Secure your braid. Tie the end of your braid with a small elastic hair tie. Then finish the look by spritzing on some shine spray.^[23]
   
   • If the section underneath the base of the braid starts to droop and sag down, slide some bobby pins underneath the braid to tidy up the look of the braid.

[Edit]Preventing Damage to Wet Hair

1. Don't go out in the cold with wet hair. If it's very cold outside, wet hair can actually freeze, which can cause breakage. To avoid this, make sure to get your hair reasonably dry before going out when it's below freezing.^[24]
   
2. Swap out your cotton towel. If you're accustomed to wrapping your hair in a cotton towel, you may be causing damage to your hair without even knowing it. Try swapping out your towel for a microfiber one, which will be much gentler on wet hair.^[25]
   
   • Gently patting your hair with the towel instead of wrapping it will also help prevent damage.
3. Avoid brushing wet hair. Hair is at its weakest and most vulnerable when it is wet, so avoid using your regular brush to detangle wet strands. Instead, separate your strands with your fingers, or if necessary, with a wide-toothed comb. This will cause much less damage to your hair.
   
4. Be careful with hair ties. Tying your hair back with hair ties can also cause damage if you're not careful. Be sure to choose the right kind of hair ties and try to keep your hair bands a little loose, especially when your hair is wet.
   
   • Never use rubber bands to tie back your hair, as these can cause a lot of damage.^[26]
   • Always use seamless ponytail holders to avoid snagging your hair.
   • You put a lot of stress on certain sections of your hair when you tie it up in the same style frequently. Try switching up your style frequently to avoid damage.
   • Hair ties cause even more damage to hair when it is very wet. Ideally, you should not use hair ties until your hair has dried at least somewhat. Tying up damp hair is fine. If you don't have time to dry your hair at all, you may want to consider using clips and bobby pins to hold your hair back instead of elastic ties.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Use elastics without the little metal piece. Those damage your hair by breaking the strands. Try soft grip bands or thin gel elastics.
• The weight of the product that you apply to your hair will affect its drying time. If you want it to dry quickly, use a lightweight product. If you want it to dry overnight, you can use a creamy moisturizing product.^[27]
• If you're leaving your hair down, try twisting it around through your fingers to keep it from drying out flat and frizzy.

[Edit]Warnings

• Rinse your hair under fresh water, and spritz with a leave-in conditioner after swimming in chlorine. The chlorine in swimming pools is incredibly drying.
• Don’t use a brush when combing product through in your hair. It will only create a big rat’s nest.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Style Wet Hair
• Wash Your Hair

[Edit]References

1. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzU7MMZ4M5U&t=0m35s
2. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzU7MMZ4M5U&t=0m50s
3. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzU7MMZ4M5U&t=1m20s
4. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzU7MMZ4M5U&t=1m46s
5. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzU7MMZ4M5U&t=2m00s
6. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzU7MMZ4M5U&t=2m08s
7. ↑ http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/wet-hairstyles/p133342/page3
8. ↑ http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/wet-hairstyles/p133342/page3
9. ↑ http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/wet-hairstyles/p133342/page3
10. ↑ http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/wet-hairstyles/p133342/page3
11. ↑ http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/wet-hairstyles/p133342/page3
12. ↑ http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/wet-hairstyles/p133352/page4
13. ↑ http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/wet-hairstyles/p133352/page4
14. ↑ http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/wet-hairstyles/p133352/page4
15. ↑ http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/wet-hairstyles/p133352/page4
16. ↑ http://www.refinery29.com/how-to-style-wet-hair#slide-8
17. ↑ http://www.refinery29.com/how-to-style-wet-hair#slide-8
18. ↑ http://www.refinery29.com/how-to-style-wet-hair#slide-9
19. ↑ http://www.refinery29.com/how-to-style-wet-hair#slide-11
20. ↑ http://www.refinery29.com/how-to-style-wet-hair#slide-12
21. ↑ http://www.refinery29.com/how-to-style-wet-hair#slide-20
22. ↑ http://www.refinery29.com/how-to-style-wet-hair#slide-20
23. ↑ http://www.refinery29.com/how-to-style-wet-hair#slide-25
24. ↑ http://www.refinery29.com/winter-wet-hair-tips
25. ↑ http://www.refinery29.com/winter-wet-hair-tips
26. ↑ http://naturalbeautytips.co/how-to-stop-hair-breakage/
27. ↑ http://www.refinery29.com/winter-wet-hair-tips

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How to Make Yourself Happy

If you want to make yourself happy, then you have to know what you want and to be comfortable asserting your needs. You also have to make sure you have a positive mindset, take action to live a happier life, and take good care of yourself even if you’re having a rough week.^[1] The most important thing is that you know that happiness is within your reach if you’re willing to work for it.

This article is based on an interview with our matchmaker, Michelle Shahbazyan, founder of The LA Life Coach.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Altering Your Perspective

1. Be who you want to be. If you really want to make yourself happy, then the best thing you can do is to be who you were meant to be. This means not being the person you think your boyfriend, parents, coworkers, or friends want you to be, but the person who feels the most like you.^[2] If you feel like you’re always faking it or putting up a front, then you won’t ever be able to enjoy your life or to truly be happy.^[3]
   
   • You may not even realize that you’re not being true to the person who you are until you pause and check in with yourself. The next time you step out into the world, ask yourself if you’re really being the person you want to be.
   • Sometimes you may just not be the person who you truly want to be yet people find you fun and acceptable which is a sign that you have to change, living up to everyone's expectations of course doesn't seem right, more importantly you should prefer to live up to your own expectations and don't forget to set the right expectations.
   • Of course, there are times when you have to act a certain way to conform to socially acceptable behaviour; for example, you probably shouldn’t jump up and down on your desk at school or work to be true to who you are. However, in general, you should seize as many opportunities as you can to be yourself.
2. Think positively. Though sometimes you may think that it’s impossible to think positively, being positive is something you can actively pursue, no matter your circumstances.^[4] If you want to be able to think positively, all you have to do is to focus on the things you’re grateful for and excited about, and learn not to dwell on the negative stuff. If you focus on talking and thinking about the good things in your life, then you’ll be more likely to feel optimistic. ^[5]
   
   • If you catch yourself making a negative comment, try to counter it with two or three positive ones.^[6]
   • Even just making an effort to smile will not only make the people around you feel happier, but it will make you happier too. Convincing yourself to smile occasionally and naturally is a bit tough but once you achieve it the results just won't disappoint you.
   • Though complaining can help make you feel better occasionally but complaining in itself is overlooking the positive aspects of life and paying greater attention to the negative ones, if you make a habit of it, then you’ll naturally be more likely to feel pessimistic.
3. Live in the present. One way to make yourself happy is to focus on the world right in front of you instead of worrying about the past or the future. Though it’s not always easy to forget past mistakes or to stop being anxious about the future, the more you make a habit of focusing on the present moment, the more likely you’ll be to make yourself happy. You can have a set time each day for worrying about the future or dreading the past, but you should push those thoughts aside if you want to enjoy your daily interactions also while thinking about the future or past one forgets about the present and the present time is the only time when you have some power to act.^[7]
   
   • If you have trouble living in the present, try yoga or meditation. These daily activities can help you feel centered.
   • Think about it: so something frustrating happened at work, and now it’s keeping you from enjoying your time at home with your family. Why not compartmentalize instead of letting one event ruin all of the events after it?
   • Plus, if you focus more on the present, then you’ll be more attuned to the work you’re doing and will be better at listening to the people in your life. Even if something frustrating happened at work or anywhere no use of bringing it up again and again to the present moment it is just as if you are trying to live the frustrating moment again and again which doesn't seem right or does it?
4. Be grateful for what you do have. Another way to make yourself happy is to make gratitude a priority. Sit down with a piece of paper and write down all of the things you’re grateful for; tell yourself you won’t stop writing until you’ve filled a page. Take the time to read these items aloud, and to be truly thankful for all of the joy and happiness in your life; you can be grateful for something as important as your health as well as something more simple, such as the delicious coffee at your favourite cafe down the street.^[8]
   
   • Make a habit of cultivating gratitude. If something good happens to you, make a note of how grateful you are for it; if you’re on the lookout for things you should be grateful for, you’ll find that you have much more to be happy about than you thought.
   • Take the time to thank people for what they’ve done for you, whether they’ve done something big or small. This shows that you’re paying attention.
5. Take a step back from your situation. Another way to make yourself happy is to get some perspective. Take a step back and look at your situation from the outside; sure, you may be having some bumps in your relationship or you may be putting in too many hours at work recently, but on the whole, you have a roof over your head, some love and joy in your life, and many other things to be grateful for. It’s easy to feel miserable when just one or two things in your life are going wrong, but if you want to make a habit of happiness, then you have to practice looking at the big picture.^[9]
   
   • This may be the last thing you want to hear when you feel truly miserable, but it’s important to think about how, from the outside, your life may look pretty rosy, even if you don’t feel that way.
   • Even the fact that you have access to the internet and can find help here is a sign that your situation isn’t as dire as you may think.
6. Get more comfortable about being selfish. One of the reasons you may feel like you’re unable to make yourself happy is because you’re always putting other people before yourself. Now, this doesn’t mean you should kick everyone else to the curb and only look out for #1, but it does mean that you should spend more time thinking about your own goals, desires, and needs. If you routinely put your friends, significant others, and family members above yourself, then you should find a way to compromise and make yourself happier.^[10]
   
   • If you feel like you’re in a relationship where you’re sacrificing everything for the other person, then have a conversation about it. You can’t keep this up forever if you want to be happy.
   • Learn to speak up for yourself. If your friend has picked the movie you’re going to watch together the last five times, it’s your turn to make a call. If you start small with asserting what you want, you’ll soon be able to make bigger decisions.
7. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good about yourself. One way to change your perspective for the better is to spend more time with people who make you feel like a great person who is capable of great things. If you spend all of your time around people who put you down or make you feel insecure and like you can’t do anything on your own, then it’s unlikely that you’ll be making yourself happy any time soon.^[11]
   
   • Take stock. Look around you and see which people really make you feel good and which make you feel terrible about yourself. If you find that you spend the majority of your time around people who make you feel inadequate, then it’s time to cut those ties.
   • It’s nearly impossible to be happy if everyone around you is making you feel worthless. Though it may hurt to cut ties with people who have been in your life for a while, you have to get in the business of looking out for yourself.

[Edit]Taking Action

1. Address your troubles. One way to make yourself happy is to stop brushing all of the things that are troubling you under the rug. Though it’s important to feel like you can be happy through willpower alone, sometimes you won’t be able to get there until you address the factors in your life that are making you less happy.^[12] Taking action to make your life better is admirable and takes hard work.^[13]
   
   • If you know you’re in a relationship that just isn’t working, end it as soon as you can instead of waiting for things to sort themselves out.
   • If you’re profoundly unhappy because you hate your job, find the inner motivation to find a better one.
   • If you’re insecure or lack confidence about some aspect of yourself, take steps to love the person you are by going to therapy, making small improvements, or by making a game plan for happiness.
2. Manage your stress. In order to make yourself happy, you have to be able to deal with the stressful situations that life throws at you. Though you can take some steps to lower the stressful situations in your life, in the end, it’s still important to have coping mechanisms for dealing with stress if you want to be happy. Make an effort to face stressful situations in your life head-on instead of brushing them under the rug and waiting for them to blow up in your face. Here are some ways to manage your stress:^[14]
   
   • Have someone to talk to about it. Whether it’s your friend, family member, or a therapist, you shouldn’t have to deal with stress alone.
   • Find ways to make your life easier. If you’re constantly stressed because you get stuck in traffic every morning and have to rush to work, leave the house just 15 minutes earlier each day.
   • See if you have too much on your plate. If you feel like you’re taking on five responsibilities too many, see what you can cut out of your life to make it more manageable.
   • Find a winding down routine for yourself. This can mean reading a captivating novel, taking a long walk, or drinking chamomile tea. Find your routine and stick to it.
3. Make time to do what you love. One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make sure you set aside some time to do what you love, whether it’s cooking, writing a novel, or spending time in nature. Even spending just 30 minutes a day doing your favorite thing in the world can have a huge impact on your happiness throughout the rest of your day; look at your schedule and see what you can do to make room for the things you love.
   
   • If you find that the only way you can do what you love is to wake up half an hour earlier, then so be it. As long as you still feel well rested, this will be a great way to kick off your day.
   • Make time for what you love even when you’re extremely busy. If you’re absolutely miserable because you hate your job and feel like you’re spending every free second out of work looking for a different job, then ask yourself if spending just half an hour a day writing the poetry you love to write will really have a big impact on your job search. The amount of joy generated by doing what you love will make the rest of your day feel more manageable.
4. Set goals and meet them.^[15] If you want to take action to make yourself happier, then one thing you can do is to set tangible goals for yourself and work to meet them. This will give you a sense of purpose and will increase your drive and will make it easier for you to attain happiness. Making small goals to reach the bigger goals will help you feel happier along the way to your ultimate destination; if you feel like you’ll only be happy if you reach the ultimate goal, then you’ll be miserable along the way.^[16]
   
   • Make a list of your goals and cross them off as you achieve them. This will make you feel happier and more fulfilled.
   • There’s nothing wrong will setting easier goals for yourself, at first. This can help you feel motivated to continue.
5. Write in your diary. One way to make yourself happy is to take the time to write in your diary at least a few times a week. This can help you reflect, take stock of your emotions, spend some time with yourself, and to feel like you can get some perspective on your life. If you never stop to write down your thoughts or slow down long enough to think, then you’ll never be able to get any perspective.^[17]
   
   • Make an appointment with yourself to write in your diary at least once a week. Remind yourself that this is important to your happiness.
   • Read over your diary every few weeks to see if you can get a better sense of what makes you happy and unhappy.
6. Get out of the house. Another simple yet important thing you should do to make yourself happier is to get out of the house more often. Just being in the sunshine, walking around your neighborhood, and breathing some fresh air can make you feel much happier than if you’re cooped up in your dark home, typing away at your computer until your hands ache. If you work from home or just spend a lot of time there, make sure to get out at least 2-3 times a day so you feel happier.^[18]
   
   • If you get out of the house, even if it’s to do something you were going to do at home, then you’ll feel happier just because you’ll be surrounded by people.
   • Make an effort to make plans with your friends just to get out there; don’t let yourself wallow or stay in your bed for too long.
7. Make other people happy. It’s been proven that making other people happy will actually make you happy in turn. Whether you’re doing small favors for a friend who needs it, helping your neighbor take care of his dog, or volunteering in your community, just taking the time to help other people will make you feel happier because you’ll feel like you are able to make a difference in another person’s life. If you’re only focused on yourself, then you’re much more likely to get disappointed or to not be able to see the forest for the trees.^[19]
   
   • Make it a habit to do something nice for someone you know just because. You don’t need to get someone a gift or do something nice for a person just because it’s his or her birthday; sometimes the most treasured gestures are done spontaneously.
   • You may think you have no free time, but making time to volunteer just 1-2 times a month can really cheer you up and give you a sense of purpose.
8. Make your space clean and organized. Though it may sound silly, taking the time to make your personal space as clean and organized as possible can actually have a huge impact on your level of happiness. If you take the time to remove the clutter from your space, to take out the trash or throw out worthless items, and to donate items that are in good condition but which you never use, you’ll actually feel happier because you’ll be more able to breathe in your own space.^[20]
   
   • Even if you only take 10 minutes a day to slowly sort through your clutter, you’ll be able to feel a big difference.
   • If you live in a space that is messy, disorganized, and even dirty, then you’re much more likely to feel suffocated, lost, and unhappy. If you restore a sense of order to your living space, you’ll feel like there’s more order in your life.

[Edit]Taking Care of Yourself

1. Get enough sleep. If you want to make yourself happy, then you have to make sure your basic needs are met. One of these needs is being well-rested; if you want to be happy, then you have to make an effort to get 7-9 hours of sleep, or however much sleep it is your body truly needs. You should also go to bed and wake up around the same time every day so it’s easier for you to fall asleep every night and wake up every morning.^[21]
   
   • Create a relaxing bedtime routine that makes it easier for you to fall asleep. Turn off all electronics at least an hour before bed.
   • Don’t sacrifice sleep for fun. It’ll be hard for you to be happy if you feel exhausted or even just ready to conk out for an hour or two.
2. Find at least 30 minutes to relax every day. You should make an effort to relax for at least thirty minutes a day no matter how busy you are. You can’t spend every second of your day doing something productive or your head will explode. You have to be generous with yourself and give yourself at least 30 minutes to unwind and do something completely frivolous, relaxing, and fun. This can mean reading gossip magazines, watching your favorite TV show, or talking to your best friend on the phone.^[22]
   
   • Whatever you do, make sure it’s purposeful and that you know you’re designating the time for relaxation. This can help your mind and body relax as you do something just for yourself.
   • Everyone has a different way of relaxing. If you relax by taking a walk or writing some poetry, then go for it.
3. Eat healthy meals. Another thing you can do to take care of yourself and to make yourself happier is to make sure to eat three healthy and balanced meals a day. This will help your mind be sharper, will give you energy, and will keep you from feeling slow and sluggish. No matter how busy you are, you should be mindful about what you eat, knowing that it really will have a positive impact on your happiness.^[23]
   
   • Don’t skip breakfast, no matter how busy you are. You need to start your day off on the right foot, and to get the energy you need to feel good about your day.
   • Eat a healthy mixture of fruits and veggies, lean proteins, and healthy carbohydrates with each meal. This can help you feel a sense of balance.
   • You can have healthy snacks throughout the day, such as almonds, yogurt, carrot sticks, or peanut butter and celery. This will give you an energy boost without making you crash.
   • Of course, everyone needs to have something sugary or fatty once in a while; it’s okay to let yourself splurge occasionally. If you never let yourself eat what you want, then you’re much less likely to feel happy.
4. Get plenty of exercise. Making time for at least 30 minutes of exercise a day can get your endorphins pumping and can make you feel happier and healthier. Whether you’re taking a walk or going biking, it’s important to make time for exercise so that your mind and body feel healthier and so you feel happier in the process.^[24]
   
   • You can consider joining a soccer or basketball team or a road runner’s club; having a social element to your exercise can make you feel happier.
   • Make an effort to move around more in general. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk instead of driving. These little actions can make a big difference.
5. Find joy in your relationships with friends and family. Making time to be social can help you feel happier about yourself and your life. No matter how busy you are, taking the time to check in with a close friend or a family member at least a few times a week can help you feel happier and less alone. Make sure you really listen to the person, share your own feelings, and unwind a bit in the process.^[25]
   
   • If you need a shoulder to cry on, then a friend or family member can be a great asset. However, friends can make you feel happier even if you’re already in a good mood, by reflecting your own positive feelings.
   • Plug at least 1-2 social events into your calendar unless you’re having a really busy week. You’d be surprised by how much the energy of other people can lift your spirits.
6. Practice good hygiene. You may not think that hygiene has much do with happiness, but you’d be surprised by how big of a difference taking care of yourself will really make in your daily life. Just showering or bathing daily, washing your hair, brushing your teeth, and grooming yourself can make you feel more positive about yourself and can make you happier overall; it’s much more difficult to be happy if you haven’t showered in a few days.
   
   • You don’t need to be the best dressed person in the world to feel happy. However, making an effort with your appearance really can improve your mood.
   • If you look and feel sloppy, then you’re more likely to be sloppy with your actions, too.
7. Have a home pampering day. If you want to make yourself happy, one thing you can do is to spend some time on pampering yourself right at home. Take a day off work or school and take the time to relax, take a hot bath, put on a hair or face mask, or just to lie down in soft candlelight and listen to music. Be generous with yourself and know when it’s time to just kick back and spoil yourself a little bit.^[26]
   
   • You can also consider getting a massage or giving one to yourself. This can help your mind and body relax and can help you feel happier.
   • Remember that you deserve to be taken care of, no matter how busy you are. Taking the time to give your body the attention it needs will make you happier before you know it.

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1. ↑ [v161309_b02]. 18 March 2020.
2. ↑ [v161309_b02]. 18 March 2020.
3. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/reinvent-yourself/201409/how-do-you-reinvent-yourself-be-who-you-want-be
4. ↑ [v161309_b02]. 18 March 2020.
5. ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/positive_thinking_makes_a_difference
6. ↑ [v161309_b02]. 18 March 2020.
7. ↑ https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/04/harvard-researchers-study-how-mindfulness-may-change-the-brain-in-depressed-patients/
8. ↑ https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_changes_you_and_your_brain
9. ↑ https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180924102858.htm
10. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/progress-not-perfection/201106/its-ok-be-selfish
11. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201504/5-reasons-studies-say-you-have-choose-your-friends
12. ↑ [v161309_b02]. 18 March 2020.
13. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/why-we-worry/201206/10-tips-manage-your-worrying
14. ↑ https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/manage-stress.aspx
15. ↑ [v161309_b02]. 18 March 2020.
16. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/coaching-and-parenting-young-athletes/201311/keys-effective-goal-setting
17. ↑ http://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/writing-in-a-diary-can-reduce-83950
18. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-guest-room/200901/top-10-ways-banish-depression-now
19. ↑ https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/kindness_makes_you_happy_and_happiness_makes_you_kind
20. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-truisms-wellness/201607/the-powerful-psychology-behind-cleanliness
21. ↑ https://www.apa.org/action/resources/research-in-action/sleep-deprivation.aspx
22. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201811/ready-set-relax
23. ↑ https://www.livescience.com/55407-eating-more-fruits-veggies-linked-with-life-satisfaction.html
24. ↑ https://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/12/exercise.aspx
25. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/positive-psychology-in-the-classroom/201210/friendship-the-key-happiness
26. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/choke/201201/feeling-lonely-take-warm-bath

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