By Kac Young Ph.D. ND, DCH

So what (or who) ticked you off today? Someone at work? A phone call you received, or didn’t receive? Some bad news from a friend or relative, or did you just get up on the wrong side of the bed?

It happens to all of us. One day our emotional cookie jar is full; the next day it is empty. So what can we do to increase our happiness?

Don’t confuse the issue. Don’t reach for the chocolate cake or hot fudge sundae. When the sugar wears off you’ll feel even lower. Put down that second martini and have a mini personal intervention instead. Don’t substitute something outside of yourself, a pill, a smoke or a drink until you’ve worked on it from the inside out.

The first thing you want to tell yourself is that this mood isn’t your leash. You have the power to change how you feel in three easy steps.

Count 1) write down three things that went well today. (Write it on your cocktail napkin if that’s where you are!)

Count 2) write down the reasons why these three things went so well.

Count 3) give yourself credit for why they went well.

Sounds too simple doesn’t it? This process has been proven to lift your personal happiness quotient if you do it every day – no matter what mood you woke up in. You can celebrate after you’ve gotten your inner strength back and are feeling confident again.

Try this process by writing in a journal or email that you compose and send to yourself. The reminders and the re-reading will help you focus on all the good you have in your life. Suddenly you’ll feel a lot better about everything and it’s all in your own words. You’ve just become your own best friend and cheerleader in 3 easy steps.

– Kac Young , a former television director and producer, has earned a Ph.D. in Natural Health and is a Doctor of both Clinical Hypnotherapy and Naturopathy. She is the author of 10 books. The Quick Guide to Bach Flower Remedies is her latest book about self- healing that provides a short cut to natural remedies we can use to improve our life and well being.