30 WAYS TO BE HAPPIER THIS YEAR

Try these easy ways to create more joy today!

After the ball drops each year, everyone's focus seems to turn to health andweight loss. But what about happiness? Whether you realize it or not, this oft-overlooked pillar of wellness plays a major role in your overall well-being and success—and yes, that includes your flat belly success, too! And while it’s true that our genetics plays a part in our "happiness set point," about 50 percent of our happiness is well without our control. So why not do everything you can to make 2016 your happiest year yet?

To help you feeling positive as much as possible, we’ve teamed up exclusively with our friends at Happify—a cutting-edge tech company that delivers science-based activities and games to help you build skills for greater happiness. Thanks to their amazing data, we've found 30 easy-yet-totally-effective ways to reduce your stress, gain confidence, conquer your body goals and bolster your happiness in the year to come!

PLUS: Use the hashtag #EatThisin2016 and share this link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest to be entered to win an iPad Mini 4!

1

LIMIT
EMAIL

A shocking 52 percent of Americans check their email before and after work—and a lot of us are checking our emails on sick days, too. Not only is it making us cranky, but studies also show that constant connection hurts our productivity and boosts stress. Lower your stress and boost your happiness by deactivating pop-up settings so your mood isn’t shifted every time a message arrives. And better yet, don’t check your email more than once or twice a day when you’re out of the office.

Looking for more ways to boost your happiness? Then check out these 23 Foods Happy People Eat!

2

GET OUT
THAT DATE BOOK

Being social (IRL, not online) may be the last thing you want to do when you’re feeling blue, but it’s just what the doctor ordered. In fact, a British study found that regular contact with 10 or more friends significantly increases happiness and lengthens life. So get out your date book and start penciling in some plans with your buddies—meet up for coffee, see a movie or offer to whip up a meal! These healthy chicken recipes are sure to be a dinner party hit!

3

PLAN A
TRIP

Ever notice how planning a trip is often more exciting than the actual trip? That’s not all in your head; it’s a very real thing. Research suggests that the anticipation of a vacation makes us happier than the vacay itself—and vacation length doesn’t affect our happiness levels at all. With that in mind, plan several short vacations throughout the year instead of just one long one! And to get your bod into tip top shape for your trip, check out these 50 Best Detox Waters for Fat Burning and Weight Loss!

4

SEND A
LOVE NOTE

No matter the relationship or its duration, it’s important to validate the people in our lives. Up to 41 percent of couples say they feel closer to their partner and happier in their relationships after using text and online messages. Send a little love note via email or Instagram one of your favorite #TBT pics with your S.O. That small, thoughtful act can go a long way.

5

CHECK YOUR
FACEBOOK PAGE

We know it’s the opposite of other research you’ve been hearing lately, but there’s two sides to every coin. So go ahead and reconnect with friends and memories by checking your Facebook profile. Believe it or not, one study found that students felt more loved and worthy after logging into Facebook than they did after doing traditional self-affirmation exercises. Boost your profile’s happy-making powers by uploading a new profile pic that makes you feel fab or click through all of your photos to relive happy moments.