Try writing some of your thoughts down on paper and running them by someone you trust to get a different perspective. If you have a hard time staying rational, then you may want to consider seeing a therapist. If you don’t admit to having problems in your thinking, you can’t practice your reasoning skills. Recognizing flaws in your thought processes shows where you have room to grow. For example, you should start to notice when you make false assumptions or jump to wrong conclusions. A false assumption might be, “That person I’ve never met must be stuck up because they didn’t say hello back when I greeted them. ” They may have just not heard you.

You should also start to apply standards to your thoughts. Strive for accurate, clear, logical thoughts. This means that you should start to value logical reasoning. For example, you may start to talk to others about how important it is to reason with yourself. Another sign you are becoming more rational is recognizing when others fail to follow a logical process. For instance, you might hear someone say, “That guy is so rude! He didn’t even smile back when I greeted. ” Instead of agreeing, you see that this person didn’t think about all the possibilities, such as that the “guy” did not see them.

Ask yourself, “Which emotion am I feeling?” And, “Which negative thoughts or experiences have led me to feel this way?”

Make sure that you write only about situations that you have strong emotions about. Be very specific in detailing both what occurred and what your thoughts were in the situation. Ask yourself, “What have I learned about myself?” “What would I do differently? What will I do differently if the situation repeats itself?”

Evaluate the way that you think on a regular basis. When you repeatedly feel negative emotions in spite of an effort to be rational, you may need to try a new approach.

Being a friend to someone else, such as being a listening ear, can also make you feel more happy. Build friendships by meeting new people, being friendly, and persevering through obstacles. [7] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source Engage in a spiritual pursuit because it will help you feel connected to something beyond yourself. A church, synagogue, mosque, or temple will also present you with a strong social network. [8] X Research source

You can be kind directly to others by helping someone who needs it, like serving food at a soup kitchen or moving boxes for a friend. You can be kind indirectly by donating money. Look for people who need help or look like they need cheering up.

Make it a habit to write thank you cards for gifts throughout the year. You might want to start a diary or journal with a list of things you are thankful for. Add to this list each morning to give your day an extra sense of happiness.

For example, going for a morning jog can set up you up for a happy, positive day. Exercise forces you to set and achieve goals, perhaps many in one exercise session. Achieving goals gives you a sense of accomplishment, which promotes positive feelings.

To add to a sense of contentment, stop feeling guilty and beating yourself up. If you feel bad about something you have done, ask the people involved to forgive you. Then forgive yourself and stop thinking about it. Take stock of the items in your life. If you have a sense of needing more things, consider changing your mindset so that you feel happy with simple things. [13] X Research source Simple things you could focus on include eating dinner with your family, gardening, or listening to music.

Take breaks every few hours to renew your focus.

Planning for all five weekdays means you don’t waste time each morning deciding what to do that day. Having a weekly plan also allows you to avoid wasting time on things that are not part of your personal goals. Maintain firm boundaries by saying “no. ” Set out clear goals for each day and prioritize them so you don’t waste time.

Turn off your phone for specific blocks of time each day. Turn email alerts off and only check your email at set times.

Organizing also saves time, saves money, and reduces stress. [18] X Research source