Tips for raising an optimistic child in a world of pessimism

By Caroline Knorr, Common Sense Media

Updated 0929 GMT (1729 HKT) July 31, 2017

Helping others, whether you do it directly like these people feeding the homeless, or anonymously, actually makes the helpers happier.
Photos: 10 ways to get happy
1. Practice kindness – Helping others, whether you do it directly like these people feeding the homeless, or anonymously, actually makes the helpers happier.
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Writing down what you're grateful for in a journal, as these students are doing, can lead to better health and more optimism.
Photos: 10 ways to get happy
2. Keep a gratitude journal. – Writing down what you're grateful for in a journal, as these students are doing, can lead to better health and more optimism.
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People who are involved in religious institutions and spiritual practices tend to be happier.
Photos: 10 ways to get happy
3. Get spiritual – People who are involved in religious institutions and spiritual practices tend to be happier.
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Buy tickets to sports events, concerts or the theater to share with your family and friends.
Photos: 10 ways to get happy
4. Buy experiences, not stuff – Buy tickets to sports events, concerts or the theater to share with your family and friends.
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A guitar that will get you playing again or a bat to join your local softball team is the kind of purchase that can make you happy.
Photos: 10 ways to get happy
5. Buy stuff that creates experiences – A guitar that will get you playing again or a bat to join your local softball team is the kind of purchase that can make you happy.
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People who spend too much time on Facebook and other social media tend to be less happy. Why not actually talk to the people around you?
Photos: 10 ways to get happy
6. Stop hanging out on social media. – People who spend too much time on Facebook and other social media tend to be less happy. Why not actually talk to the people around you?
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People who check their email at a few set times during the day are less stressed out than people who check their email all the time.
Photos: 10 ways to get happy
7. Stop checking your email – People who check their email at a few set times during the day are less stressed out than people who check their email all the time.
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While it's true we all need money to pay the bills, time is something we can't manufacture. When people realize how precious time is, they value it more and are more focused about how they use time—which makes them happier.
Photos: 10 ways to get happy
8. Focus on time, not money. – While it's true we all need money to pay the bills, time is something we can't manufacture. When people realize how precious time is, they value it more and are more focused about how they use time—which makes them happier.
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Choosing fun activities where you participate with your whole self and forget everything else can make you happy.
Photos: 10 ways to get happy
9. Lose yourself – Choosing fun activities where you participate with your whole self and forget everything else can make you happy.
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Failing in work, love and life can bring happiness, if we choose to learn from our mistakes.
Photos: 10 ways to get happy
10. Embrace failure. – Failing in work, love and life can bring happiness, if we choose to learn from our mistakes.
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