We’ve all seen the image of a person sitting cross-legged with their eyes closed meditating. Meditation isn't the only way to get to your happy place though! There are plenty of things you can do to relax and mentally escape any stress or anxiety you’re dealing with. We’ve put together a handy list of things you can do to take a trip to your own personal happy place.

1

Practice meditation.

  1. Imagine yourself in a place where you were happy and content. Sometimes called “visualization,” meditation can be a really effective way to reduce anxiety and stress.[1] Find a quiet place and sit in a comfortable position. Take some deep, slow breaths, breathing in through your nose and out of your mouth. Think about somewhere you’ve been that’s pleasant and calming.[2] Think about sense memories of the place to help you connect to it.[3]
    • For instance, if you’re thinking about a vacation you took to a lake, you could think about how the wind felt and what the water looked and sounded like.
    • Spend about 15 minutes or so meditating and keep taking slow, deep breaths.
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4

Do something you’re passionate about.

5

Re-read one of your favorite books.

  1. Take a relaxing trip down memory lane. Reading a favorite book again can have a couple of benefits. The simple act of reading can be comforting and transport your mind to another, happier place. If you’re reading a book that you already love, you’ll be reminded about other times that you read it, which can make the experience even more enjoyable.[8]
    • For instance, if it’s been years since you read a Harry Potter book, you may find yourself instantly transported (or disapparated, if you will) back to a time when you were happily reading it for the first time.
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6

Play around and have some fun.

  1. Playtime isn’t just for kids. It’s healthy for adults, too. It’s good for your body and your brain. But it’s easy to get caught up in your busy life and forget to make time to simply play around.[9] Play is an activity that you do just for the sake of fun, like a card game, video game, or playing with a toy. Take at least a few minutes out of each day to dedicate to playtime.[10]
    • Play can be physical, too. You can shoot some basketball or kick a soccer ball around to get active and have some fun.
    • Play can do a lot more than just make you feel happy. It’s actually a way to build community, keep your mind sharp, and spend time with people you love.
7

Hang out with friends to boost your mood.

  1. Share some laughs and memories. Call up an old friend to chat with them about what’s going on in your lives and reminisce about good times you’ve had together. You could also organize a get together or meet up to grab a cup of coffee or a bite to eat. Another option is to invite them over to your home so you can hang out and maybe watch a movie or something. Spending time with people that you love is a surefire way to go to your happy place.[11]
    • Consider reaching out to a friend you haven’t seen in a really long time. You can catch up on old happy memories and talk about new things in both of your lives.
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8

Remember the acronym H-A-L-T (hungry, angry, lonely, or tired).

  1. Use it as a gentle reminder to bring yourself back into balance. It’s easy to get lost in the craziness of your daily life and forget to take care of some basic needs. Whenever you find yourself feeling stressed out or run down, think about HALT. Check-in with yourself to see if you’re meeting all of your needs. Take care of yourself and bring your happiness back into balance.[12]
    • For example, if you’re hungry, get something to eat! If you’re feeling super tired, take a moment to rest. If you’re really tense, spend a few minutes focusing on relaxing your muscles and relieving tension.
12

Get physically active to improve your mood.

  1. Physical activity boosts endorphins that can make you feel happy. Go for a run or hit the gym for a solid workout. Get your blood pumping and make your mind and body feel better. Do physical activity that feels right for you and makes you feel good.[16]
    • Get some friends together and play a game of basketball or throw around a football.
    • Check out a fun new dance class or visit a martial arts gym near you to get a great workout and learn a new skill.
    • Try challenging yourself with something difficult such as a faster running pace or lifting a heavier weight than you normally do. The sense of accomplishment can take you right to your happy place.
15

Set a big goal you hope to accomplish.

  1. Dream big and plan big this year. Give yourself something to look forward to whenever you’re feeling down or discouraged. Make a list of goals you hope to accomplish and break them down into smaller tasks you can work to complete.[20] Set realistic deadlines for each task and stay focused on taking steps towards your larger goals. Thinking about your big plans can make you feel happier if you find yourself feeling down or discouraged.[21]
    • For instance, you could decide that you want to travel to Greece this year. Then, you can break down the steps you need to complete to make it happen such as budgeting, booking flights, finding hotels, and planning activities.
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Expert Q&A
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  • Question
    What does being in your happy place mean?
    Guy Reichard
    Guy Reichard
    Executive Life Coach
    Guy Reichard is an Executive Life Coach and the Founder of HeartRich Coaching & Training, a professional life coaching and inner leadership training provider based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He works with people to create more meaning, purpose, well-being, and fulfillment in their lives. Guy has over 10 years of personal growth coaching and resilience training experience, helping clients enhance and transform their inner worlds, so they can be a more positive and powerful influence on those they love and lead. He is an Adler Certified Professional Coach (ACPC), and is accredited by the International Coach Federation. He earned a BA in Psychology from York University in 1997 and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from York University in 2000.
    Guy Reichard
    Executive Life Coach
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    It can mean something different to everybody. Your happy place could be a real physical place, or it could be a place in your mind. It's just that special place where you feel calm, collected, and relaxed!
  • Question
    How can I make my happy place feel more real if it's all in my head?
    Guy Reichard
    Guy Reichard
    Executive Life Coach
    Guy Reichard is an Executive Life Coach and the Founder of HeartRich Coaching & Training, a professional life coaching and inner leadership training provider based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He works with people to create more meaning, purpose, well-being, and fulfillment in their lives. Guy has over 10 years of personal growth coaching and resilience training experience, helping clients enhance and transform their inner worlds, so they can be a more positive and powerful influence on those they love and lead. He is an Adler Certified Professional Coach (ACPC), and is accredited by the International Coach Federation. He earned a BA in Psychology from York University in 1997 and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from York University in 2000.
    Guy Reichard
    Executive Life Coach
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    Try to picture the location in extreme detail. Describe what you see and hear in your head, and try to imagine the way the place smells. With every breath, relax your body more and more. The longer you spend time in your happy place, the realer it should feel and the easier it should be to return there in the future.
  • Question
    Is it okay to always go to my happy place when I'm stressed out at work?
    Guy Reichard
    Guy Reichard
    Executive Life Coach
    Guy Reichard is an Executive Life Coach and the Founder of HeartRich Coaching & Training, a professional life coaching and inner leadership training provider based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He works with people to create more meaning, purpose, well-being, and fulfillment in their lives. Guy has over 10 years of personal growth coaching and resilience training experience, helping clients enhance and transform their inner worlds, so they can be a more positive and powerful influence on those they love and lead. He is an Adler Certified Professional Coach (ACPC), and is accredited by the International Coach Federation. He earned a BA in Psychology from York University in 1997 and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from York University in 2000.
    Guy Reichard
    Executive Life Coach
    Expert Answer

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    It's okay to do this every once in a while, but I wouldn't recommend escaping to your happy place every time you're feeling something uncomfortable. You generally want to confront most uncomfortable emotions, and you can't run away from your challenges forever.
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About This Article

Guy Reichard
Co-authored by:
Executive Life Coach
This article was co-authored by Guy Reichard. Guy Reichard is an Executive Life Coach and the Founder of HeartRich Coaching & Training, a professional life coaching and inner leadership training provider based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He works with people to create more meaning, purpose, well-being, and fulfillment in their lives. Guy has over 10 years of personal growth coaching and resilience training experience, helping clients enhance and transform their inner worlds, so they can be a more positive and powerful influence on those they love and lead. He is an Adler Certified Professional Coach (ACPC), and is accredited by the International Coach Federation. He earned a BA in Psychology from York University in 1997 and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from York University in 2000. This article has been viewed 216,784 times.
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Updated: June 22, 2022
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