1. Be nicer to others

Researchers call this "practicing loving kindness." What it boils down to is being kind to people you interact with in the course of your day. Help someone with a heavy load. Run an errand for your sick neighbor. Give a co-worker a boost with a thoughtful compliment.

When you show sincere kindness toward others, it activates a portion of your brain that helps you feel pleasure. Research has also shown that your generosity of spirit might even be contagious, so you may spread happiness to others as you go.