What Makes You Smile

BY: Gabrielle Gayagoy

Call it the end-of-summer blues: After months of warm weather and the requisite R&R that comes with it, returning to the daily grind of juggling work and school schedules can be a challenge. Thankfully, there are plenty of proven, easy ways to lift your spirits year-round. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Spruce up your workspace.
Getting in touch with your inner Martha Stewart can be a good thing, according to research from the University of Exeter. In a study of more than 2,000 office workers, those who personalized their work area reported feeling happier and were up to 32 percent more productive than people stationed in bare spaces. Opt for decor that?s sure to make you smile, be it a potted plant or a framed photo of ?Mad Men??s Don Draper.

2. Join the conversation.
Whether you?re swapping secrets with a friend over dinner or debating the finer points of Jonathan Franzen?s Freedom at your next book club meeting, it pays to seek out substantive discussions. Research from the University of Arizona found that people who have more deep conversations are happier than those who engage in fleeting small talk. Got good news to share? Try telling it in person or on the phone next time rather than dashing off a quick email or tweet.

3. Revel in the little things.
Showing gratitude for all the nice things your spouse does -- from cooking dinner to giving you a hug when you most need it -- can help you feel more satisfied about your relationship, according to a study from the University of North Carolina. Recognizing little gestures that may have become routine (pouring you coffee, say) with a warm ?thanks? can go a long way toward making you both feel appreciated.

4. Spend on memories, not stuff.
Research from San Francisco State University found that funneling money toward experiences, such as meals out or seeing a play, resulted in greater happiness than buying material goods. This may be because experiences are more likely to be linked with happy memories, say the researchers. So on your next fun outing, snap a photo while you?re at it!

Source: http://www.oralcareandhealthdaily.com/blog/really_makes_you_smile/index.html

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