How to Make Yourself Happy After a Sad Day

You play a significant part in controlling your own happiness. According to a Psychology Today blog post written by Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of "The How of Happiness", 60 percent of a person's happiness is determined by genetics and life circumstances, while the remaining 40 percent is influenced by the actions we take and the changes we make. Instead of wallowing in your sadness, learn to incorporate methods that instantly improve your mood and make you happy.

Things You'll Need

• Exercise equipment
• Television
• Old photographs

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Instructions

• 1

  Exercise for at least 10 minutes. Jog on the treadmill, lift weights, go swimming or ride a bike. Exercising stimulates the production of endorphins in your brain, according to WeightTraining.com. Endorphins give you a euphoric feeling and can dramatically improve your mood. The drastic change of mood is easily sensed. Because endorphin-release differs per person, you may have to exercise for anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes.

• 2

  Watch a funny movie or television show. Laughter helps relieve stressful emotions and stimulates the release of endorphins, the website Helpguide states, which improve your mood and make you happy.

• 3

  Look at photos of happy times. Old baby photos, photos of fun vacations and photos of close friends and family members can put a smile on your face and temporarily make you forget about whatever is making you sad.

• 4

  Expose yourself to sunlight. Walk or sit outdoors in the sunlight. Sunlight stimulates vitamin D production, which is essential for proper functioning of the brain, according to the website of nutritional therapist Robin Dowswell. The sun also stimulates serotonin, sometimes known as the happy hormone, which improves your mood, the website states.

• 5

  Eat a healthy meal because proper nutrients can improve your mood and help keep depression at bay, according to WebMD. Include omega-3 fatty acids, and foods rich in selenium and vitamin D. Get omega-3 fatty acids from salmon, walnuts and leafy green vegetables. Consume beans, skinless chicken, oatmeal and brown rice for selenium and get your vitamin D from dairy products, beef liver and eggs.