Happiness can be described as feelings of pleasure, contentment, satisfaction, and cheerfulness. To me, happiness is; [i]Waking up in the morning excited to start the day and laying your head down to sleep at night feeling satisfied with the day you had[/i] As someone who used to be severely depressed, I can only tell you what helped me (they are in no particular order). 1. Friends, family, and/or someone you can talk to is essential. We are social creatures, and we are statistically happier when we are connected to those around us. But, it is important to have healthy relationships. If you feel worse after spending time with someone, it may be time to sever that connection. That goes double for sexual relationships. 2. Find a hobby that you enjoy, whether it be video games, reading, drawing, etc. Find something that helps you forget about your troubles while doing it. 3. Exercise is an amazing tool. Besides the obvious health benefit, exercise is a great tool for relieving anxiety and stress while releasing endorphins and serotonin into your body. 4. Keep track of the positive things that happen to you throughout the day. It is so easy to focus on the negative aspects of life that we forget the good things that happen. From someone holding open the door, a kind word, to buying you a new car, always focus on the positive. 5. Meditation, which takes time, effort, and practice, can be a life changer. Start with just ten minutes at a time and progress little by little. In my own day to day life, I mediate for 30 minutes before bed each night. Sit in a relaxed, up-right, comfortable position, close your eyes, and inhale deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Focus on your breathing and push away all thoughts. It is very difficult at first, but it brings a level of peace and zen I don't experience in any other aspect of my life. 6. Volunteering. Dedicating time to help others creates an unparalleled level of satisfaction. There are many ways to volunteer and finding the right one for you is important. In my own life, I volunteer at the SEK Humane Society walking dogs and cleaning cages as well as doing yard work at the Children's Advocacy Center in my area. 7. Goal setting. While long term goals, such as attaining a degree or career, are important, setting short term goals gives you something to strive for in the immediate future. Try to set a goal for yourself each week and work hard to achieve it. Purpose, no matter how small, is a great motivator and brings satisfaction. 8. Try new things. Reaching beyond your comfort zone, while it can be scary, can expand the things the enjoy to do. The old saying is quite true, "You never know how you will feel about something until you try it." 9. Find something you are passionate about. This goes beyond a hobby. It is something that inspires you to take action in your life. For example, I hope to work with child abuse victims after receiving my master's degree. Making a small difference in this perverse world is what inspires me to get up everyday. 10. Challenge your own sense of reality. Ask yourself why it is that you believe what you believe. Whether it be exploring philosophy to discovering the wonders of astronomy and physics, there is so much thought-provoking knowledge out there to learn about. The more you know, the less you. Broadening our world-views helps to put our personal problems into better perspective. I hope this was helpful. Good luck to everyone finding happiness and have a great day!