Want To Become A Happier Person? Try "Emotional Caffeine" 

As social scientist Arthur Brooks, Ph.D., author of Build the Life You Want, declares on the mindbodygreen podcast, "Happiness is best defined in terms of its macronutrients." Just like how a healthy meal takes balanced amounts of protein, fat, and carbs, specific elements make up the entirety of lifelong joy (you can find his menu here). 

Macronutrients make up the foundation, but we can't forget about the micronutrients—you know, the vitamins, minerals, and bioactives that optimize your well-being? They're no less essential than the big guys; they're just needed in smaller quantities. 

First, it helps to understand what, exactly, caffeine does to the brain. Contrary to what you might think, caffeine doesn't actually provide fuel or increase cellular energy production (ATP) in your body. What it does is block the activity of a neurotransmitter called adenosine, which blocks other excitatory neurotransmitters, thus making you feel tired. 

"When you're too hopped up, you want more adenosine to calm you down," says Brooks. But adenosine builds up as you're awake, which can make you feel groggy in the morning. 

Enter caffeine: "Caffeine molecularly has the same shape as the adenosine molecule," Brooks explains. "So it goes in the adenosine slots, blocking the parking places for the adenosine. Caffeine doesn't hop you up; it makes it impossible for you to get groggy." Imagine caffeine as a sneaky kid in a trench coat and fake mustache walking up to your brain's ticket counter—just way less obvious. 

That's not to say you should ignore your negative emotions (they're important!), but you can make them less overwhelming by using this emotional caffeine trick. 

And, according to Brooks, it's a practice you might have relied on without even knowing it. Ever counted to 10 slowly when you felt super angry? That practice simply gives you time to substitute the anger before you experience an outburst. 

Another instance: "When you feel resentment, say to yourself, 'I'm feeling really resentful about everything that's going on, so I'm going to concentrate on counting my blessings right now,'" he adds. "You're using gratitude as an emotional substitute… When you're feeling pessimistic, you choose hope. Not that you believe only good things are going to happen, but there are good things you can do and that you're an agent in those things."