PERK UP! TEN WAYS TO FEEL HAPPY
By: Annie, 11, PA (aka Pennsylvanian_7)

We all have those days when we feel like the sun won't shine. Maybe it's a fight with a friend, or maybe it's a big test coming up. Whatever it is, you can solve it with these top ten stress busters!

1. Write down five reasons why you think you're great. Don't be modest! Be as braggy as you want, remember this is to make YOU feel good!
    
2. Look on your calendar and find five to ten events that are coming up that you're excited about. When you look into the future, your cloudy day seems far away!
    
3. Read a great book or watch a great movie.
    
4. Run around! Ride your bike, go for a run, or take a peaceful walk.
    
5. Get friends involved! Call a friend and invite them over to play or invite them to a movie.
    
6. This one may seem a little strange, but get a pen pal! (pen-pal.com)
    
7. Accomplish something! It could be taking out the trash that's been sitting in the kitchen for a week, finally doing that book report you've been putting off, or helping your mom with dinner.
    
8. Do charity work! It could be having a lemonade stand and donating the money to cancer, helping the elderly lady down the street, or putting together care packages for the soldiers in Iraq. It feels good to know you helped!
    
9. Write a great story, or poem. If writing isn't your thing, invent a new sport and have your family try it out!
    
10. DUN DUN DUN DUN.... NUMBER TEN IS:
    HAVE FUN! RUN! SCREAM! JUMP! SHOUT! PLAY ABOUT! SMILE! RUN A MILE! BE HAPPY! BE PEPPY! JUST BE HAPPY!