How to find happiness after life hands your family lemons…

My family has definitely been handed a bunch of lemons but somehow we still pull through stronger than before. What is our secret? Read more to find out.

Get Fit. “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands. They just don’t!” -Legally Blonde

Quality Family Time. Obviously spending time with your family is a given, but even just sitting on your couch, watching, and enjoying every moment you have with your children or your loved ones, it can help you to feel pretty fulfilled and content. That what I find anyway…I love watching my husband play on the floor with my kids. It makes me feel so blessed that 1. I have a great husband. 2. He is a great dad. 3. My kids love him so much. + 10 Happiness

No TV Sunday. This is something that I have been trying to establish for my family. We have done this 3 times so far and we love it! Of course it gets irritating at times because when you get bored your first instinct is to turn a power button on, right? This is a great way to dedicate, again, Quality Family Time together. We do this usually on Sundays when my husband is off of work. We usually make a big breakfast and chat. We catch up and visit. + 10 Happiness

Outside Tuesday. It’s awesome how fast your mood can change just by stepping outside into the fresh air. Not that you are in a bad mood, calm down! LOL Pick a day as a family to go outside and do something fun. Go kick a ball around, or play Frisbee! + 10 Happiness

Hobbies. Either finding a hobby as an individual or as a family can be healing. I actually find coloring very therapeutic and calming. My daughter and I do this a lot, and puzzles. Finishing a project together is fun, and it teaches kids not to give up. +10 Happiness

Shut off the news! This one should be a no brainer… 90% of the time, the only things casted on the news is horrible, sad, depressing things. We know this world sucks, we don’t need to be reminded of this every day. My husband and I decided from day 1 of our marriage that we would not have cable. We don’t want to see all the poo this world offers. Everyone feels differently. If you do have cable, maybe you can choose not to watch the news for a while and see how you feel? + 10 Happiness

“I’m walking on the sunshine…” Vitamin D is essential for happiness. If you live in an area where it rains often, you may want to look into Vitamin D supplements, but if the sun is out then you need to get out! +10 Happiness

Unplug yourself. Try living in the moment rather than trying to tweet pictures of every constant thing you see. One person wrote “The concept of always being reachable without any way to escape has become commonplace in our new digital society.” That is a scary thought. Not being able to escape. If you think about it, it’s true! You become so attached to electronics and networks that you feel compelled to check every few minutes if you have a text or voice mail. I find myself clicking that top little bottom of my iPhone consistently. On a day that I can’t find my phone (which happens too often) I feel relieved. It feels nice to not be reachable. You should try it! + 10 Happiness

Do more for others. There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving. Maybe all you can do is call your grandparents. You will be surprised how happy they are to hear from you! I LOVE spending time with my great grandma (Yes she is still alive and full of life). I paint her nails, and take her shopping. I have so much fun with her because I know it means a lot to her. Of course my first choice wouldn’t be to spend my afternoon in the petite older ladies section of JC Penny’s. LOL. I have so much joy in finding her cute outfits to try on. Even if your circumstances are different, you could try fostering an animal who needs love, or just simply go out of your way to bring someone you love some flowers or write a “thinking of you” card. +20 Happiness