Artline Monday - Ways to spread happiness

Have you heard about the International Day of Happiness?  This year it falls on the 20th March and it is a day dedicated to making the world a happier place, what a great idea!  For today's post I have come up with a few ideas for how you can spread some joy and happiness to mark this special day.

Ways to spread happiness - created with Artline pens

Leave little notes

You could leave some notes for your family and friends to find, pop them in lunch boxes, leave them in the car, hide them in books or in bags.  You can write anything that you think will make someone smile, a silly joke, a compliment or a simple "Hello" or "I'm thinking about you". 

Give your time

Do you know anyone who could do with some help?  Could you offer to babysit for someone who needs a break or ask an elderly neighbour if they would like you to run any errands for them?  You could turn off the TV and your phone and spend time with a friend or family member, focusing your attention on them and making them feel valued or you could volunteer at a local charity or charity shop.

Be kind

Small acts of kindness really make people happy!  There are lots of small and easy ways to be kind and make the world a nicer place, you could give your seat up on a crowded train or bus, let someone go in front of you in a queue, leave a small drawing or doodle for someone to find and make them smile or you could send a friend some happy mail.  It's always lovely to get a letter in the post instead of a bill or junk mail!  

Share memories with friends

Share happy memories with friends

Do you have any funny memories or photos you could share with your friends?  Pop them online and relive those times or give them a call and reminisce about the good old days!

Compliment people

How great does it feel to receive a genuine compliment?  You have the power to make someone else feel like that!  Tell someone you love their hair or their clothes, that they have pretty eyes or a nice smile, that they are smart or have a talent.  I bet these thoughts pop into your head all the time, don't keep them to yourself say them out loud!  You never know you might receive some nice ones back about yourself too!

Smile

Smiles are contagious, if you smile at someone they will smile back at you and then smile at the next person they see.  The smiles will spread like ripples on water until everyone around you is looking much happier.  

People also believe that if you smile even when you aren't feeling particularly happy it can trick your brain into making you feel cheerful and brighter so it is worth giving it a go!

One of my favourite things to do is spend some time with my Artline Stix brush markers and fineliners so creating the spread for this post made me happy which in turn makes me feel even more inspired to makes others feel good too.  What makes you happy and will you be celebrating on the 20th March?