Someone once said, “The best way to be more productive is to just be happier. Happy people accomplish more.”  It’s true, happiness can be more than simply a result, but actually, happiness can also be a driver.

So how does one become happy?

Here are 5 ways to be incredibly happy:

Exercise for 7 minutes a day

A 7 minute workout is really all we can fit in our busy schedules these days.  So we’ll make the most of it!  By releasing proteins and endorphins, exercise can help you relax, increase your brain power, and even improve your body image, even if you don’t lose any weight.

Sleep more

Sleep helps our bodies to recover and repair itself.  Not only does sleep help us focus and be more productive, in a recent study published in NutureShock, sleep-deprived people failed to recall pleasant memories.

Spend more time with friends and family

Did you know the inability of staying in touch with friends and family is one of the top 5 regrets of those dying.  So why wait until you start to regret?

Breathe fresh air

Making time to go outside on a nice day also delivers a huge advantage; one study found that spending 20 minutes outside in good weather not only boosted positive mood, but broadened thinking and improved working memory.

Be compassionate

Helping others not only will make others feel good, but also yourself.  According to Shawn Achor, author of, The Happiness Advantage, 100 hours per year (or two hours per week) is the optimal time we should dedicate to helping others in order to enrich our lives.

SOURCE: Inc.com