In her article published in the February 28, 2005
issue of Time magazine,University
of California psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky cites the following practical suggestions on how
to lift your level of  happiness:

 1. Count your blessings. One way to do this is with a
"gratitude journal" in which you write down three to five things for
which you are thankful - from the mundane (your peonies are in bloom) to the
magnificent (a child's first steps). Do this once a week, say, on Sunday night.
Keep it fresh by varying your entries as much as possible.

2. Practice acts of kindness. These should be both
random (let that harried mom go ahead of you in the check-out line) and
systematic (bring Sunday supper to an elderly neighbor, visiting a sick
friend).

Being kind to others, whether friends or strangers,
triggers a cascade of positive effects it makes you feel generous and capable, gives you a greater sense of
connection with others and wins you smiles, approval and reciprocated kindness all happiness boosters.

 3. Savor life's joys. Pay close attention to momentary
pleasures and wonders. Focus on the sweetness of a ripe strawberry or the
warmth of the sun when you step out from the shade. Some psychologists suggest
taking "mental photographs" of pleasurable moments to review in less
happy times.

 4. Thank a mentor. If there's someone whom you owe a
debt of gratitude for guiding you at one of life's crossroads, don't wait to
express your appreciation-in detail and, if possible, in person, To turbo
charge your joy, Seligman says, is to make a "gratitude visit." That
means writing a testimonial thanking a teacher, pastor or grandparent anyone to whom you owe a debt of gratitude and then visiting that person to read him or
her the letter of appreciation.

 5. Learn to forgive. Let go of anger and resentment by
writing a letter of forgiveness to a person who has hurt or wronged you.

Inability to forgive is associated with persistent
rumination or dwelling on revenge, while forgiving bolsters positive feelings
about your past and gives you peace of mind.

 6. Invest time and energy in friends and family. Where
you live, how much money you make, your job title and even your health have
surprisingly small effects on your satisfaction with life. The biggest factor
appears to be strong personal relationships.

 7. Take care of your body. Getting plenty of sleep,
exercising, stretching, smiling and laughing can all enhance your mood in the
short term. Practiced regularly, they can help make your daily life more
satisfying.

 8. Develop strategies for coping with stress and
hardships. There is no avoiding hard times. Religious faith has been shown to
help people cope and genuinely lifts the spirit, but so do the secular beliefs
enshrined in axioms like "This too shall pass" and "That which
doesn't kill me makes me stronger." The trick is that you have to believe
them.