We all need to learn to live life now. Spending all of our mental energy focused on the past or the future means that we aren’t living in the present. We aren't living our lives right now, and, honestly, the present moment is truly the only time we have to live. Many of us are constantly distracted, but I'd encourage each of us to live life now and be fully present in this moment.

Happiness habits matter because living a blissful life, to some degree, is a choice. Choosing happiness habits matter to that choice. Even if you live with a chronic mental health disorder, you can choose to nurture practices that create happiness in your life. Make 2017 the year you kick start your happiness habit to build your bliss.

The world can be a nasty place, but it’s much happier when you find your kindness. Lately, I’ve realized that the best thing I can do to improve my happiness is to be kind. This starts by being kind to myself.

Presidential elections can create a host of political stressors. But politics don’t have to hold your mental health hostage (Ruminating Can Harm Your Mental Health Recovery). Follow these tips to avoid political stressors and achieve bliss.

A relaxed mind is a happy mind. It took me two months full of busyness and stress to realize that simple truth. I relaxed my mind and found it to be happy.

There is one step positive people take to feel happier. I've always admired positive people, and now I am one. I found that I can be a positive person in only one step. That one step positive people take is to surround themselves with positivity. Really, that's all it takes to be a positive person and join the ranks of positive people living fulfilling lives.

I learned the hard way that social networks are important for health and happiness. Loneliness can be dangerous. I know. I spent five years living abroad, separated from my friends and family, with only the occasional visit back home. During this time I felt isolated, alone, and suffered one of the worst and longest depressive episodes of my life. This difficult experience, however, taught me an invaluable lesson. By being so lonely, I learned the importance and necessity of maintaining a social network for my health and happiness.

One of the best lessons I’ve learned about living a blissful life is to be happy with what you have. Being happy with what I have has helped me achieve a peace that I never had when I was looking for that greener grass on the other side.

Multiple studies link generosity to happiness.  So, if you want to use an evidence-based approach to finding bliss, be generous and get happy.

I believe that positive actions will lead to positive thinking. To paraphrase Mahatma Gandhi, what you think ultimately determines your actions. With depression, however, sometimes you have to consciously choose actions in order to change your thinking. Positive actions will lead to positive thinking.