#55 - Go shopping

When you're feeling down, a little retail therapy may just help to lift you up, if you shop wisely that is.

"I always say shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist." - Tammy Faye Bakker

#54 - Pursue your dreams

Don't let anyone or anything stop you from achieving your dreams. If music is what you like, go take some lessons. It's never too late to pursue what you like.

"To achieve happiness, we should make certain that we are never without an important goal.'- Earl Nightingale

#53 - Visit someone

I'm always filled with happiness after visiting the people I love and care about. Find time to visit your friends and loved ones, they'll surely appreciate your time and presence.

"The most beautiful things in the world are not seen nor touched. They are felt with the heart."- Helen Keller

#52 - Try scrapbooking

Scrapbooks are loads of fun. They're fun to make. They make great gifts too.

#51- Teach

If you have a chance to teach someone, you'll find it an extremely rewarding experience. Kids like listening to stories. Try reading to them and see their faces light up!

“I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.” - Lao Tzu

#50 - Keep learning

Learning new things and undertaking new challenges keep me happy. Stay curious and you will never stop learning as long as you live.

"Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn and you will." ~Vernon Howard

#49 - Show gratitude

Show gratitude and appreciation to someone close to you, like writing a letter to thank them for who they are and what they have done for your life. It costs you nothing but it might mean the world to them.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” - John Fitzgerald Kennedy

#48 - Keep priorities balanced

Are you so caught up in the day-to-day busyness of life that you forget to live? We’re often so focused on achieving our ultimate goals that we fail to appreciate other things along the way. From now on, keep your priorities balanced. Put equal amount of time into your family as into your career. Engage in meaningful activities like bonding with family and friends or pursuing charity work.

#47 - Count your blessings

Reflect on what really matters and work towards a happier and more fulfilling life. Reliving happy memories is one of the most effective ways to cheer you up. If you want to stay happy, don't forget to count your blessings everyday.

"The secret of happiness is to count your blessings while others are adding up their troubles."

#46 - Avoid toxic people

Avoid people who may bring you down with their negative attitudes. Detaching yourself from people who make you miserable can help you feel happier and become healthier.

Toxic people are like poison. They drain us of our energy, time and sanity. Steer clear of people who rob you of your self-esteem. Instead, surround yourself with people who make you feel good about yourself. When you're happy, you will in turn attract more happy people.

"You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection." - Buddha

#45 - Read inspiring stories

Reading inspiring stories makes me feel inspired and motivated. Reading about how others have overcome adversities helps me put things into perspective. I've learned alot from other people's success stories, they make my life better.

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney

#44- Keep a dog

Rusty is always happy to see me. Seeing him makes me happy even on a crappy day.

"If it wasn't for dogs, some people would never go for a walk."

"Dogs are better than human beings because they know but they do not tell." - Emily Dickinson

"A dog is the only thing that loves you more than he loves himself." - Josh Billings

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." - Roger Caras

#43 - Change your scenery

Have lunch in the park instead of at the food court. The change in scenery will awaken your senses.

"If everyday is an awakening, you will never grow old. You will just keep growing." - Gail Sheehy

Photo - Shot in Loire Valley, France, 2007.

#42 - Move on

Don't dwell on the past. Learn from mistakes, look ahead and move forward. You will save yourself lots of misery.

"Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections."

#41 - Run

Running helps to improve your mood. When the endorphins start coursing through your system, you'll feel yourself getting lighter and happier. Running gives you tremendous health benefits too. It's easy to get started*, all you need is a pair of running shoes.

"Sunshine is delicious,
Rain is refreshing,
Wind braces us up,
Snow is exhilarating,
There's really no such thing as bad weather,
Only different kinds of good weather."

*Do check with your doctor if you have any health problems.

#40 - Eat chocolate

Eating chocolate makes me happy. Dark chocolate makes my heart happy too! Flavonoids found in dark chocolate can help maintain a healthy heart and good circulation, and reduce blood clotting that could lead to heart attack and stroke.

"Life is like a box of chocolates... you never know what you're gonna get. " -Forrest Gump

Photo of chocolate shop - Shot in Belgium, 2007.

#39 - Take a break

Take a break from work or chores and have a cup of tea. Even better, invite your friends over and while the afternoon away. It's good for your soul.

“Come, let us have some tea and continue to talk about happy things.” - Chaim Potok

#38 - Watch fireworks

Watching fireworks is rare treat that I savour. Spectacular fireworks evoke a lot of joyful emotions because they're often used to celebrate momentous occasions. If you know of any firework displays going on in your area, make time to be there. You won't regret it.

Photo- Shot in Singapore, 2007.

#37- Eat well

Eat enough protein and carbohydrates daily to fuel your body. Eating the right kinds of food will even make you happy. Baked potato improves concentration, calms the nerves and boosts our mood. Salmon has high Omega-3 fat content which helps our body produce extra serotonin.

Photo- Shot in Paris, France, 2007.

#36 - Ride a bicycle

If you have a chance, ride a bike in the countryside, through the rolling green fields where the air is clean and fresh. Imagine the wind in your hair and the sun on your skin...you'll be as free as a bird!

Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving. - Albert Einstein

Photo - Shot in Provence, France, 2007.

#35 - Smell the roses

Instead of rushing about daily, stop and smell the roses. It's often the little things that can bring cheer to your day.

"Avoid being impatient. Remember time brings roses." - Anon

Photo - Shot in Copenhagen, Denmark, 2004.

#34 - Sit by the beach

Listening to the sound of waves crashing against the shore and feeling the sea breeze blowing in my face never fail to put me in a good mood.

"The three great elemental sounds in nature are the sound of rain, the sound of wind in a primeval wood and the sound of outer ocean on a beach." - Henry Beston

Photo - Shot in Bintan, Indonesia, 2007.

#33 - Stroll through a garden

Strolling through a garden that is bursting with colours will do wonders to your soul and spirit.

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. - Marcel Proust

Photo - Shot in Bruges, Belgium, 2007.

#32 - Grow plants

Gardening is one of the most fulfilling and rewarding hobbies to have. Pottering about in the garden is relaxing; watching plants thrive under your care will certainly make you happy.

"Earth laughs in flower."- Ralph Waldo Emerson

#31 - Catch a sunset

Watching a gorgeous sunset always fills me with awe and happiness.

Happiness is a Swedish sunset; it is there for all, but most of us look the other way and lose it. - Mark Twain

Photo - Shot outside our house in Singapore.

#30 - Go on a ride

Visit a theme park or funfair, and enjoy an adrenaline packed day. The carnival-like atmosphere is infectious, you'll find lots of happy faces.

"People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing." - Dale Carnegie

Photo - Shot in London, UK, 2008.

#29 - Be around kids

While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.
~Angela Schwindt

#28 - Take a walk

When I'm feeling down, I take a walk around the neighbourhood. As I move along, I start to notice the sunlight filtering through the trees, I feel the breeze and hear birds chirping. I always end up feeling happier and lighter.

Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Appreciate your friends. Continue to learn. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.” ~Mary Anne Radmacher

Photo - Shot in Copenhagen, Denmark, 2004.

#27 - Develop a hobby

Hobbies can give perspective to your life. Having a hobby can enhance your life and improve your personality. It also relieves stress and makes one happier.

"Today is life - the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today. Get interested in something. Shake yourself awake. Develop a hobby. Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you. Live today with gusto." - Dale Carnegie

Photo - Shot in Bintan, Indonesia, 2006

#26 - Smile

Start everyday with a smile. It can brighten the darkest day. It costs nothing yet gives so much.

Peace begins with a smile. ~Mother Teresa