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Health and Wellness

16 Psychologist-Recommended Ways To Smile

Be happier this quarantine season.

Julia Licursi

May 07, 2020

UCLA

16 Psychologist-Recommended Ways To Smile

https://www.pexels.com/photo/smiling-woman-looking-upright-standing-against-yellow-wall-1536619/

During these stressful and less than ideal circumstances, mental health must be a priority. Being trapped at home all day and avoiding social interaction is more harmful to the human mind than anticipated.

If you're finding it hard to motivate yourself or even get out of bed, here are some things psychologists recommend to make you happier :)

1. Take Yale's free online class "How To Be Happy"

Want to literally learn how to be happier by a professional? Take Yale's FREE class while in quarantine.

2. Plan your next post-quarantine vacation

https://www.pexels.com/photo/beach-calm-clouds-idyllic-457882/

It's impossible not to get excited about a tropical getaway (once we're eventually allowed to leave our homes).

3. Wake up 15-30 minutes earlier than you normally would

https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-person-holding-alarm-clock-1028741/

Even though getting a little bit less sleep seems negative, gaining those extra minutes in the morning will help you start your day positively because you'll have extra time to accomplish what you need to get done.

4. Exercise

https://www.pexels.com/photo/an-on-treadmill-1954524/

Exercise is not only beneficial to your physical health, but it can also do wonders for your mental health. Physical activity has been found to be directly linked to people's better moods.

5. Go Outside

https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-and-green-grass-field-during-sunset-1237119/

If you're trapped inside all day with no sunshine or fresh air, you're obviously going to be in a bad mood.

6. Say Hi to a stranger

https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-wearing-white-high-top-shoes-1021145/

This isn't something many of us are used to doing, but you'd be surprised how much better it can make you feel.

7. Call family/friends

https://www.pexels.com/photo/closeup-portrait-of-young-lady-talking-on-mobile-phone-6386/

This may seem obvious, but studies literally show a link between talking to loved ones and reduced stress levels.

8. Listen to sad music

https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-wearing-black-sleeveless-dress-holding-white-headphone-at-daytime-1001850/

I know this sounds weird, but studies actually do show that playing melencholy music can provoke your own positive and happy feelings.

9. Look at old pictures/an old year book

https://www.pexels.com/photo/old-photos-in-the-wooden-box-5842/

Because it's impossible not to smile when looking at an awkward picture of you in Middle School.

10. Spoil yourself a little (go online shopping!!)

https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-holding-card-while-operating-silver-laptop-919436/

Spending money actually can buy happiness sometimes. This doesn't mean go max out your credit card, but if you've had your eye on something for awhile, it's okay to treat yourself.

11. Play with a dog

https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-hugging-her-siberian-husky-3671246/

Playing with pets releases oxytocin, so go hug a puppy when you're feeling down.

12. Don't search for happiness

https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-stands-on-mountain-over-field-under-cloudy-sky-at-sunrise-847483/

The more obsessed we become, the less likely we are to achieve it. Focus on building relationships and pursuing your interests and happiness will follow.

13. Write down things you're grateful for

https://www.pexels.com/photo/fashion-woman-notebook-pen-34072/

Remind yourself of all of the amazing things in your life.

14.Give someone a compliment

https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-black-jacket-smiling-3928937/

Making someone else smile will always make you happier.

15. Give yourself a compliment

https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-woman-looking-at-the-mirror-774866/

You'll never achieve true happiness if you aren't nice to yourself.

16. Meditate

https://www.pexels.com/photo/silhouette-of-man-at-daytime-1051838/

Meditation allows you to escape the anxieties of reality by just focusing on your breath.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Student Life

Things I Am Actually Going To Do This Semester

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University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

208

CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

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Top 20 Thoughts College Students Have During Finals

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

University of Vermont

Thanksgiving break is over and Christmas is just around the corner and that means, for most college students, one hellish thing — finals week. It's the one time of year in which the library becomes over populated and mental breakdowns are most frequent. There is no way to avoid it or a cure for the pain that it brings. All we can do is hunker down with our books, order some Dominos, and pray that it will all be over soon. Luckily, we are not alone in this suffering. To prove it, here are just a few of the many deranged thoughts that go through a college student's mind during finals week.

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"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

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group of people sitting on bench near trees duting daytime

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I know every college student has daily thoughts throughout their day. Whether you're walking on campus or attending class, we always have thoughts running a mile a minute through our heads. We may be wondering why we even showed up to class because we'd rather be sleeping, or when the professor announces that we have a test and you have an immediate panic attack.