If you make one change to your life, make it this – make yourself happy. Life designer Simon Alexander Ong tells us how.

“The most important thing is that happiness doesn’t come ready-made off a shelf, but from our own actions,” he says.

“Unfortunately, the average person has a tendency to attach their happiness to things out of their control, such as ‘I’ll be happy when I have…’ statements.

“The truth is that happiness is a feeling that is ultimately experienced from the inside out.”

Try these seven changes to feel happier - instantly!

1. Gratitude

At the end of each day, take time to reflect and write down three things – no matter how small - that you’re grateful for.

Perhaps for the fact that you’re doing something you’re passionate about, or that you have a loving family that will support you. If you’re in a relationship, you could also tell your partner these 3 things instead of writing them down.

2. A kind gesture

Offer to buy someone’s coffee in the queue behind you - you’ll make their day! Carrying out kind deeds gives perspective and an ability to empathise with what people other than yourself are going through.

One says he tends tend to write a note of appreciation to a restaurant or hotel whenever the service is exceptional and look for ways to inspire others – from volunteer work to running workshops at universities to give students the tools they need to get into their desired career.

3. Keep happy friends

A key driving force behind an individual’s success and happiness can be found in the company they keep. You may not be consciously aware of it, but the people you hang around with can have a massive influence on your life.

Spend as little time as possible with those who drag you down, and as much time as you can with those who will help you improve your life to become more than who you are. As Oprah Winfrey said, “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.”

4. Exercise

If you’ve ever experienced an intense workout session, you’ll know how good it feels after. By regularly pushing your body and testing your limits, you don’t just become stronger, you become more productive, more energetic and in a better mood to handle whatever comes your way.

In fact, it’s well known that lifelong exercise can lead to improved brain function in later life. Start small and work towards increasing the intensity. Make time in your schedule for exercise and notice how you feel as it becomes a habit.

5. Meditation

Put that smartphone/iPad/laptop aside and instead, begin each day by meditating for as little as 15 minutes.

Meditation is a key habit of happiness as it helps you gain clarity and be more present by connecting you to your inner self.

It allows you to reflect on the day ahead, to work out what’s most important to accomplish and acts as a reminder that you, and you alone, have the ability to choose how great your day will be.

In essence, if you’re able to practise this on a regular basis, studies show that you will literally be rewiring the structure of your brain to allow for the experience of more positive emotion.

6. Live in the ‘now’

Find joy in the present, for your life is made up of moments.

Moments that if you fail to appreciate, will simply pass you by. And once they are gone, you can’t live them again.

Create optimal experiences by immersing yourself in each moment and you will, in time, create some incredibly epic memories.

As Buddha once said, “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”

7. Be passionately curious

The world is one gigantic classroom, yet many of us fail to explore it for all its wonder.

Rather than spending your hard-earned cash on objects, ask yourself what you want to experience and how you want to grow (development of new skills, learning a new language etc). As Jim Rohn states, “Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.”

So go, says Simon Alexander Ong, commit yourself to doing some of the above over the next few weeks and notice what you learn.

Get into the habit of practising the art of happiness. Life’s far too short not to.

What are your tips for feeling happy? Share your Comments in the box below.