Ways to be happier

What bit of happiness could you sprinkle into your life?

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Braylen Garren

Sometimes, the key to happiness is looking for joy in the little things; from a cup of tea to a walk, it’s the details that make all the difference.

Story by Katey Pappas, staff writer

If there’s one thing all teenagers can agree on, it’s that some days the best thing to do is go home, kick off your shoes and forget about your homework and everything else for a few hours. There are many ways to help you cheer up and escape a bad day, and all of these methods are easy and affordable. 

Tea

A nice warm glass of tea is the best way to unwind after a long day at school. Tea can even help reduce anxiety and stress. There are many flavors and types of tea. Some contain caffeine, and some even contain real flowers. The best way to find out what you like is to head to the store and pick up a tea sampler. The Celestial Seasonings fruit herbal tea sampler is an example of one that can be found for a good price at common grocery stores. 

Candles

A sweet, bright and cheerful smell can always help brighten your mood. Candles can be found almost everywhere in a variety of scents and colors. Sweet scents that have strong notes of caramel, vanilla or marshmallow may appeal to some. Other people may prefer fresh scents like clean linen, or floral scents like rose and honeysuckle. 

Writing

If you are reading this article, you can most likely write. Writing is another great way to relieve stress after a long day. Buy a nice journal and a pen in your favorite color. Fill the journal with all of your hopes and dreams. Write about where you want to be in ten years, and really transport yourself to your dreamland. This can really help you remind yourself why you wake up in the morning. 

Walking

Getting your blood flowing can also help the mind travel away from the bad thoughts that flood the brain during the day. Jump on your treadmill or head outside to walk around your neighborhood. This will help to take your mind off all your worries, and help you think about your game plan for the next day.

Everyone needs a little time to wind down sometimes, and that is OK. The methods above are practical, affordable and hopefully easily available for all.