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There’s nothing worse than having a day, or a few days, where you feel totally down in the dumps. When you’re super bummed out, all you want to do is crawl under the blankets in your bed and sleep until you wake up in a better, more cheerful mood. But wait! Before you do that, science has helpfully given us two tips on how to be a little bit happier.

One super easy way to put a smile on your face? Researchers say that eating fruit and vegetables every day can make people feel “calmer, happier and more energetic.” Wipe that look of disgust off your face! Fruits and veggies can be yummy, they’re good for you and they can lift your spirits. What more could you want?

Quick side note: This doesn’t exactly mean that eating an apple will produce happy results immediately. The study found that eating seven to eight servings of fruits and veggies each day will produce a positive change. So basically, this is something you kind of need to keep up with.

If you’re reading this, shaking your head and thinking, “A piece of chocolate cake would make me much happier than a bowl of fruit”, I get it. But… you’re probably sort of wrong. The immediate gratification you get from a bunch of cake might be awesome and full of happy thoughts, but there are actually a bunch of studies that prove that too much sugar can actually cause slight depression. Eek! Those sweet tooth comfort foods might not be as comforting as we thought.

The other tip? Try reading a self-help book. I know that might seem super embarrassing – when I was in high school and going through my emo phase (not pretty), my mom bought me a stack of self-help books on dealing with depression. I was mortified that my friends would see them and think I was a weirdo, so I stashed them under my bed and never looked at them again. It was silly – there’s nothing to be ashamed of!

If you’re feeling doubtful about this, there’s proof that self-help books work. A new study shows that reading self-help books can help fight depression and prevent it from creeping back into your life. I have to agree. When I broke up with my first boyfriend, I was miserable… so I started reading the book It’s Called A Breakup Because It’s Broken, by the same people who wrote He’s Just Not That Into You. Guys, it changed my life. Seriously. If you’re sad about a breakup, read it.

So, keep these two tips in mind for the next time you’re feeling particularly sad. And if they help… report back to me. I want to know!

Are you going to try either of these tips? Have you ever read a self-help book? What’s your tip for feeling happier every day? Tell us in the comments!

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