The Problem: You got a bad grade on an exam

The Fix: Changing your perspective

When something bad happens, many of us find ourselves whining and complaining that this happened to us instead of accepting responsibility for the event. In psychology lingo this is called your locus of control. According to the book, “Psychology: A Concise Introduction,” people who have a positive locus of control are more happy in life. This means you take control of your decisions and consequences that come from then. With this perspective, you understand that you got the bad grade because you didn’t study enough or study the right material. The grade wasn’t given to you; you earned it. This perspective gives you the control instead of fate; turning your “good luck” into success and your “bad luck” into a learning experience.

The Problem: You got betrayed by a friend or significant other

The Fix: Talk it out

Bottling something up inside that’s bothering you will only increase your distress and unhappiness. If someone has done you wrong, confront him or her about it in an upfront mature manner. Talking out your issues will hopefully lead to resolving them and ensuring that they won’t happen again. Plus, this saves you from falling into the easy trap of talking about the person behind their back; which is unproductive venting and will only make you angrier.

The Problem: You’re not happy with the way you’re life is going

The Fix: Be proactive

Picture yourself sitting in your bed with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s, pouting over the fact that “everything” in your life is going wrong. Now picture yourself putting the frozen goods in the freezer, climbing out of bed, and doing something about your unhappiness. Being proactive is the first rule in author Steve Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” He emphasizes that instead of waiting for opportunities, a proactive person will make their own opportunities. In other words, if you’re not happy about the way your life is going; change it!

The Problem: You just have the “blues”

The fix: Get your endorphins

Exercising gives you endorphins which are your body’s natural “happy pills.” James Messina, Ph.D. in his report entitled “Strategies for Success in Weight Management” understands the importance of exercising on your mental health. He says sweating it for thirty minutes will give you, “Improved psychological status, particularly enhanced self-esteem, general well-being, and decreased anxiety and depression.” And for those of us who are couch potatoes there’s even an easier way to do this: being outside in the sun will also slightly increase endorphins.