Day 1
BLISS BOOSTERTreat yourself to mini-pockets of fun throughout your day.
Eatdessertafter lunchanddinner, savoring only a few bites each time.
(More sweet stuff to anticipate!)
Curl up with a novel every few hours, but read only a page or two.
Or, when you’ve got the blahs, visitCuteOverload.com, but limit browsing to two minutes.
But by serving yourself little dollops of pleasure repeatedly, you’ll extend the joy.
Repeat for a week.
PLEASURE PAYOFFWhy such an oddly specific number?
(Super fit women are 54 percent less likely to be blue.)
Working out releases good-for-you endorphins and leaves you feeling healthy, strong and sexyaka happy!
The more you keep up with your workouts, the more content you’ll be.
At a party, pay attention to the talk, not the size of the host’s kitchen.
If you must compare, gauge how you’re doing now against who you were last year.
After all, you’ll always find someone thinner or richer.
Even if you come out on top, “you’ll either feel smug or less than.
Neither is healthy,” Baker says.
Instead, “nurture yourowngrowth, which will make you happier still.”
Breathe in, exhale, and imagine all hostility leaving you; replace it with compassion and love.
“It’s linked to depression, stress and heart disease.”
Let go of the slight to become more generous, empathetic and emotionally stable.
Find someone you think you might have something in common with, and schedule a lunch.
Once you get the results, use a key strength in a new way each day this week.
Pen a haikubet you haven’t done that since grade school.
Read about Buddhism, or meditate.
PLEASURE PAYOFFEnlisting your strengths in novel ways increases happiness for six months, according to research in theAmerican Psychologist.
(You’ll get in an accident on the way to the airport and miss your plane.)
Now take two minutes topossibilizeit, picturing the best outcome (80-degree days, discovering a new passion).
Ask yourself, Which life do I want to lead?
“We’ve all survived difficult events.
It’s how we react to them that’s our choice.”
Then, the next afternoon, write down the reasons you’re grateful for your job.
Give thanks twice a week tops, focusing on whatever feels wonderful in your life.
Changing when you give thanks and what for is even more beneficial.
Sex may alter brain chemistry by triggering the release of oxytocin, the bonding hormone.
And being close with your honey just plain feels good.
Day 10
BLISS BOOSTERPut on asmile, whether you feel like it or not.
PLEASURE PAYOFFFeigning joy can induce joy.
The facial movements trigger physiological changes: I’m smiling; that must mean I’m happy.
(Seemore fab girlfriend get-together ideas.)
If your pal isn’t local, call or Skype her for a heart-to-heart.
PLEASURE PAYOFFHaving one truly great friend affects your joy more than having a few dozen sort-of-close friends.
“That promotes a special kind of intimacy and gives us a unique sense of support and belonging.”
Today, go to your local store and ask for the shopkeeper’s recommendation.
That makes it a twofer, happinesswise.
Day 13
BLISS BOOSTEROn your first free day, pencil in something you’d love to do.
(A massage!)
Then download theTimeAndDate.comCountdown app on Facebook.
Every time you log on, you’ll see how long you have until the pampering.
PLEASURE PAYOFFLooking forward to a future perk can give you a lift right now.
Maximize the high by reminding yourself of the upcoming event as often as possible.
(Photo of a beach on your mirror?
After the cavity filling, treat yourself to a walk in the park.
PLEASURE PAYOFFLife as we live it and life as we remember it are two different things.
So go live happily for these two weeksand ever after!
The Surprising Secret to Loving Your Body
