|  | From Elizabeth Scott, M.S., your About Healthy Monday Editor Believe it or not, being in a better mood can help your health. There are many studies demonstrating a link between health and happiness, and getting into a better mood can facilitate that happiness. This week, we encourage you to make a change or two (or five) to your lifestyle that will make it easier for you to get into a good mood more often and stay happy more of the time. Below are resources to help, including information on dietary changes you can make, lifestyle tips for a better mood, and other activities activities to try. (Even a simple smile can make a difference!) Try as many as you can, and enjoy your week! -Elizabeth Scott | | Beat Stress With A Smile Smiling is perhaps one of the simplest ways to get yourself into a good mood and spread that mood (because smiles are contagious). Don't take my word for it though; Sharon Basaraba from About.com's Longevity site shares the solid research that explains why. | 5 Foods For A Better Mood Many people alter their diets for weight loss or overall wellness, but there are some quick changes you can make to create a mood-friendly diet for yourself as well. Cathy Wong, About.com's Guide to Alternative Medicine, gives you five simple foods to add to regular diet that can really boost your mood. | 7 Research-Backed Ways To Be Happier The field of positive psychology provides answers to the question of "What makes us happy?" like we've never had before! Here are seven research-backed tips, shared by yours truly, that are sure to put you into a good mood and help you to relive stress as well! | Exercise Your Way To A Better Mood Exercise is a healthy habit that can help your mood as well. Learn about the link between a good workout and a good mood and find simple ways to make exercise a more regular part of your life, from Paige Waehner, About.com's Guide to Exercise. | | | | Related Ads | | | | Featured Articles | | | | | | | | About.com is a proud participant of Healthy Monday SM, a national public health campaign aimed at helping Americans initiate and maintain sustainable health behaviors to reduce risk factors associated with the leading causes of preventable disease and mortality. Healthy Monday is a project of Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. | | | | | | Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics | | | | You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Healthy Monday newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com | | | | | More Healthy Lifestyle Resources | | Advertisement | |