We know that deep breathing relieves stress. But have you tried alternate-nostril breathing? It's particularly relaxing and easy to do once you've tried it. Sit comfortably, cross-legged on the floor. Place the index and middle fingers of your right hand on your forehead. Close your right nostril with your right thumb and inhale deeply, keeping your mouth closed. Before exhaling, release the right nostril and close the left nostril with your ring finger and exhale slowly. Then inhale, close the right nostril again and exhale completely through the left. Alternate nostrils for three minutes. You'll feel content with the world.

More breathing tricks that reduce stress:

• Breathe Like a Baby
• De-Stress—Little (or No!) Movement Required
• Stress Relief Is Just a Chew or a Spray Away

When someone asks you, "How are you doing?" do you automatically say, "I'm fine"? Most of us do…but it's probably not true. Most of us are dissatisfied, frustrated or stressed out. The good news is that you don't have to take major action to feel a major impact in your happiness.

If you can find something new and enjoyable to do with just 6% of your waking hours—that's about one hour per day or one afternoon a week—your entire life will be more satisfying. So go ahead—do something you haven't done before. You'll go from saying "fine" to feeling truly great.

More ways to get happy:

• Forget Self-Esteem!
• Are You Destined for Happiness? How to Tell
• Happiness Is Your Problem

If you find yourself momentarily inspired to do something you’ve been putting off, you need to take action within five seconds. If you don’t, your brain will squash your impulse to do it. That’s because our brains really don’t like change. They like routine, the status quo. If you think, I should call so-and-so….I should sign up for…I should read….adopt the five-second rule. Don’t let your brain stand in your way.

For more ways to break out and be great:

• Stop Saying I’m Fine—When You Can Break Out and Be Great!
• How a Chronic Procrastinator Gets Things Done
• How to Break a Bad Habit for Good. Hint: Willpower won’t work

Why not take a moment today to perform a random act of kindness? It will brighten someone’s day—and make you feel good about yourself. Feed an expired parking meter. Let someone cut in front of you in line. Share your umbrella. Offer to carry someone’s groceries. Leave your magazine or newspaper neatly on the train seat so that another passenger can enjoy it. Keep your eyes and your heart open, and it will be easy to find opportunities to be kind.

For more on how helping others helps you:

• Helping Others Helps the Helper
• The Magic of Compassion: Just a Little Gives a Long Way
• Be Kinder and More Compassionate—to Yourself