Come On, Get Happy!

Things aren’t all sunshine and rainbows here at Sage Grayson Coaching.

I go through periods of self-doubt, burnout, and sadness just like anyone else.

The thing is, I don’t let myself dwell in Grumpy Town for very long. Sure, I might have my moments of insanity, but I snap back to my happy baseline quickly.

I’ve found that the more you break down and linger in a dark place, the more of often you end up there in the future.

And who wants that?

When I feel like I’ve reached my quota of doom and gloom for the day (usually about 15 minutes), I snap myself out of it with a happiness booster.

A happiness booster is any surefire way to bring about a good mood. It could be something that makes you smile, something that makes you hopeful, or something that gives you the giggles like nothing else!

Here are my favorite happiness boosters.

Music

I listen to A LOT of music, but I’m a little picky. I like songs that are unabashedly hopeful and inspiring. A song might have a great beat, but after a while, negative lyrics drain my mood. This song reminds me that bad times don’t last forever.

Movies

I love the way movies can transport me to another time and place—even another emotional state! Good movies give me a happiness that lasts for days. Check out this thought-provoking video of legendary director Alfred Hitchcock’s definition of happiness.

Silly Internet Videos

Weird little kids, crazy dogs and cats, wacky music parodies—it doesn’t matter! There’s no shortage of online videos designed to brighten your day. Watch this cutie and just try not to smile.

Talking With a Friend

Chris is my best friend, and his smiling face always makes me a little happier. I also enjoy it when he randomly bursts into song or makes obscure references to The Simpsons.

When you’re feeling down, you may just want to be left alone. Try to fight that urge! After all, misery loves company (especially company that makes you laugh so hard you pee your pants!).

Hey, you can always talk to me: sage@sagegrayson.com.

What are your favorite happiness boosters?

Anyone else got The Partridge Family theme stuck in your head? Just me?

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10 Comments

  1. Families Eating Better on September 11, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    Hi, Sage. Music has got to be my #1 bad mood buster! Love Pandora on my computer. Instant mood lift.



  2. Jennifer Delle Fave on March 29, 2012 at 11:46 am

    I’m sure you know my thoughts on it–just choose to be happy or choose to be miserable; it’s that simple! We all have our down days, but the constant “wah wah” gets old so fast! You have to surround yourself with happy people too. If you have too many Debbie Downers, it can spread like wildfire!!



  3. xvavaveganx on March 28, 2012 at 7:11 pm

    First of all, cute pics!!! I LOVE your outfit 🙂

    I definitely agree with you and I think that it’s pretty amazing that you are so self aware and able to pull yourself out of a funk before getting in too deep (that you can’t get out of it). That is one thing that I’m constantly working on.

    You have some great cheer up remedies 🙂 Music is a huge one, I love blasting some great music and having a little dance party. Being silly like that is always good for a laugh. Youtube is also really great. I am a little guilty of searching Youtube for videos of people throwing their Wii controls through their tvs. Don’t ask lol! It’s pretty funny though. 😉

    Cute animals always help cheer me up too!



    • Sage on March 28, 2012 at 7:41 pm

      We got a Kinect specifically because there is no controler so there’s nothing to accidentally lob at the TV! Now I gotta search for those Wii videos. 🙂

      Thanks for the compliment about my outfit! I’m finding cute things to wear now that I spring cleaned my wardrobe. This Boden dress had been hiding for a while.



  4. Megan Gann on March 28, 2012 at 12:39 pm

    I’ve definitely discovered that happy thinking leads to real happier feelings. It’s hard to break the cycle and you gotta really fake it to yourself sometimes, but overall I find negative things affect me a little less and I can come back a happier me faster. Youtube is definitely my happy-place for silly videos.

    I think we all also need to set aside some time be sad. Intentionally. I watch Grey’s Anatomy, listen to sad music, cry over sad books. It’s cathartic.



    • Sage on March 28, 2012 at 12:58 pm

      I have to fake my happiness sometimes. I just hope my coworkers can’t tell. 🙂

      I was thinking about that too–choosing a time to be sad. I have chosen to watch things that make me sad, but having a good cry can sometimes make me feel better. Emotions are funny that way. Movies about heroic animals make me cry (Jump, Willy!!!)



  5. Cara on March 28, 2012 at 10:25 am

    I totally agree with you about giving yourself the time to process the sad/gloomy moment and then moving on to happier pastures. The Hitchcock video was really awesome, I’ve never seen it before! And thanks for reminding me about the awesomeness that is Ms. Lauryn Hill. I will probably listen to her the rest of the afternoon. 🙂



    • Sage on March 28, 2012 at 12:51 pm

      I just discovered that Hitchcock video and I thought it was a really beautiful way to describe happiness. I can’t stand people arguing or gossiping around me either.

      Whatever happened to Lauryn Hill? Her album was the soundtrack to my high school years.



  6. Shybiker on March 28, 2012 at 10:14 am

    Okay, I finally figured it out. You are a younger, cuter version of me — which is why I love your ideas so much. Your posts read like they came straight out of my mind. Same analysis, same cures.

    If there is a parallel universe, I might be you. At least I wish I were!



    • Sage on March 28, 2012 at 12:49 pm

      Hey, you’re pretty cute yourself!

      Maybe this IS a parallel universe and we ARE the same person! Or maybe I need to stop watching so much Star Trek…