In a world full of war, hate, aggression, and overall negativity, we could sure use some positivity. And we may not realize it, but we all undoubtedly play a part in one another’s day-to-day happiness. So, what would happen if all of us did everything we could to ensure each person we encounter has a good day? What would our world look like if we started spreading positivity wherever we go, however we can? The only sure way to find out, is to do. So, follow these 5 tips to start making the world a better, happier place:

    1) Smile.

    The simplest way to begin spreading positivity is to smile. That’s right, it’s time to take your pearly whites out for a stroll. Sending a warm smile someone’s way can really make a difference. Think back to a time when you weren’t having such a good day. Did empty faces passing you on the street make you feel better or was it the one person that made the effort to smile at you? It’s the nonverbal way of saying, “it’s going to be okay”.

    2) Compliment.

    When did a compliment ever not make you smile? We often keep our thoughts to ourselves, which can be a good thing, but we need to stop holding back what might alone make someone’s day. When you’re walking down the street and you see someone wearing an outfit that you just love, tell them. When you notice that your friend tried out a new makeup routine and she’s rocking it, tell her how great she looks. This also means telling someone how much you appreciate them, reminding your mom how much you love her, and informing someone how grateful you are to have them in your life.

    3) Utilize your social media accounts.

    In this day and age, social media is a powerful realm and tool, as everyone’s constantly scrolling and swiping through their feeds. Why shouldn’t we use it to our advantage in spreading some positivity? Make an effort to post positive statuses on Facebook, uplifting articles on Twitter, and pictures that will make others smile on Instagram. Share with your friends an encounter that restored your faith in humanity, post a picture of your pup that you know will make everyone smile and say “aww”. The media has been overrun with negativity, which plays a bigger part in our daily lives than we realize. Now, let’s combine our efforts and take it back.

    4) Be helpful.

    Lend a helping hand wherever you go. This means stopping what you’re doing to help the shop owner down the street hang a new sign. It means reminding your loved ones that you’ll always be there for them. It’s asking a woman crying on a park bench if she’s okay, if you can do anything for her. Obvious cries for help like these often go unanswered because we’re hesitant to help, we’re unsure about being the one to act. But if we stop worrying about how we’re being perceived and instead about how others are feeling or doing, our world would be a much better place.

    5) Keep the negativity to yourself.

    A very important part of spreading positivity and not counteracting every other effort you’ve made, is to keep any unnecessary negativity to yourself. We all wake up on the wrong side of the bed sometimes, but that doesn’t mean we have to bring everyone else we encounter throughout the day down with us. If you’re grumpy, maybe keep to yourself. If all you have to add to a conversation is negativity, try to think of something positive to say instead. Make a conscious effort to not weigh anybody else down. However, this does not mean holding in any serious feelings: if you’re having one of those days where it feels like the whole world is closing in on you, or something horrible just happened to you, by all means let it out and allow others to help you.

It’s actually a lot easier to spread some positivity than most of us realize. It can simply mean sending a warm smile to the neighbor passing by on the street. Or telling the girl at the register how much you love her earrings. You can even spread positive vibes with a click of a button on Facebook or Instagram, or with an inquiry about someone’s sorrow. And maybe most importantly, you can spread positivity by simply keeping the negativity to yourself.