9 Easy Ways to Be Happier

Don’t Dwell

Mulling over past failures can be tempting (you feel as if you’re gaining insights and finding answers). But over time this behavior may lead to feelings of helplessness. Research shows that ruminators are more likely to be depressed, due to a downward spiral of emotions. First you begin obsessing, which makes you lack the mental clarity to come up with potentially good solutions to problems; as a result, you lose confidence and feel unhappy, says Susan Nolen--Hoeksema, a professor of psychology at Yale University. So instead of going over something again and again, distract yourself with a movie or a game. (How about Scattergories?)