50 steps to simple happiness

With apologies to Jay-Z, the current Empire State of Mind might not be something to brag about_ã”at least according to the recent study ranking New York as the least-happy state in the nation. In the nation! Which seems, to us, rather unbelievable. Yes, nearly half of the state_ã_s residents live in a city that_ã_s inordinately stressful (expensive, noisy, crowded, pushy). Yes, it_ã_s hard to find a peaceful place to sip coffee, much less live. But on the flip side_ã”everything else! Still, mired in the middle of January, you may need a little mood enhancement. What to do? On the following pages, you won_ã_t find long-term, expensive fixes like therapy, pharmaceuticals, or a three-week jaunt to the Maldives. What you will find are quick, easy, and affordable ideas for feeling good and happiness, in body and spirit, as well as bits of modern folk wisdom, some goofier than others, from a range of experts. So: Try a little self-administered acupressure. Eat an ounce of dark chocolate. Say yes to more sex. Break the silence in the elevator. Exercise. If a 3 a.m. ginseng soak isn_ã_t your thing, keep reading. You_ã_ve got 49 other chances to find your idea of happiness.

 

Want to read more of the 50 simple steps to happiness? Click here