Sometimes life is just plain dumb for presenting situations we’d rather not be in. At times we’re down and out for reasons known and unknown and every so often it’s Monday. Along all this crap, it is indeed possible to bring about a quick shift in mood by indulging in simple pleasures.
With inputs from Colleen Rush.

1. Bring out the flowers. Even a single sunflower at your work/home desk evokes positive and happy feelings in and around.

2. Splash on your favorite perfume or go out and buy perfumes especially meant for ‘happiness’

3. Put on red lipstick. Experts believe it works like a charm.

4. Plug in, lie back and listen to ‘your songs’ on IPod. This is not to say you should have an IPod. Listen to songs using your old mp3 player, Godzilla walkman, Discman, home deck or car stereo.

5. Give a pup a soothing massage. You’ll be making someone happy and he’ll be thankful for a long time.

6. Writing an email or sending an e-card to your lover or even a great friend bring in contentment and delight.

7. Take the unknown way home at times. Doing something out of the ordinary and throwing routine out of the window kicks in those happy hormones.

8. Getting out and running actually helps. No matter how much we deny it, it does.

9. Karaoke one of your favorite numbers. Even if those vocal cords don’t agree. (Check out where in our nightlife section!)

10. Light a scented candle for no reason at all. Bask in it yourself instead of saving it for someone else, you’re worth it.

11. Set ridiculously easy goals like clean closet, get to work on time or bake a cake. Accomplishing these strengthens our hold on life and happiness is its byproduct.

12. Being in the moment creates maximum joy. Let housework slide for sometime and read a book or go for a nature walk.

13. Painting a room has a mood boosting effect and different colors trigger different types of happiness!

14. Learn to say no, happy people have control over their time says David G. Myers, author of The Pursuit of Happiness. A casual “I’m already booked” does work.

15. When you like a strangers sense of style or hairstyle, say it. One gets a psychological happy boost passing a compliment.