Loneliness and isolation can tear apart your happiness, but you can prevent it.  I work as a peer specialist and I often hear people concerned about feeling lonely or isolated (Mental Illness Is an Isolating and Lonely Disease). Today, I want to share three tips that have helped prevent loneliness and isolation in my life.

When you start feeling anxious at work, it is good to have some practical stress relievers to use. There are a lot of relaxation techniques, but here are a few of my go-to stress relievers for work.

Hi. I’m Silke, a new contributor to Living a Blissful Life. I am a mother, wife, writer, reader, runner, educator, scientist, and woman who lives with clinical depression. I wrote “lives with” because I have spent more than half my life “battling” depression, which is a constant struggle. Despite the battle, I withdrew from the world, attempted suicide, and was hospitalized – more than once. Waging war against depression clearly wasn’t working for me.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that you can find joy in life by doing the things you love. Doing the things you love cultivates joy and happiness in our lives.

I did a simple, breathing exercise before I started to type this blog. I do this six second breathing exercise every time I sit down at the computer to clear my mind and calm my soul. This easy breathing exercise can create serenity for you, too.

Over the past month I’ve discovered that at any moment I can transform triggering emotions into happier ones. Wouldn't you rather be happy by transforming your triggering emotions? 

I am a big fan of setting New Year's goals that lead you to happiness. Over the years I’ve found methods that have helped me be successful in setting realistic new year’s resolutions. And reaching healthy goals is a great way to enhance genuine happiness. Achieving goals is also a great way to build confidence, so this year, let your New Year's goals lead you to happiness.

Most of us need some holiday stress reduction tips at this time of the year. Let’s face it—the holidays are full of stress. If you have a mental illness the stress typically just intensifies so try to maintain your bliss with these holiday stress reduction tips.

Last Friday I found myself searching for every stress relief tool I had (Stress Busters: 22 Ways To Be Kind To Yourself). Someone had stolen my car while I was sleeping the night before. I desperately wanted to stay relaxed and peaceful in the midst of the chaos. I needed some stress relief, and I needed it now.

I recently realized how the power of gratitude can help in times of anger, anxiety and fear. Negative emotions can overwhelm us and spread like fire. But the power of gratitude works like a fire extinguisher when it comes to negative emotions.