This is part of a series on the Pursuit of Happiness.
Positivity Promotion: Using Daydreaming to Control Your Mood and Synthesize Happiness

This is hybrid technique of a number of well-known and lesser known techniques, some common therapeutic techniques, some hand-crafted. It can be adjusted and altered in a variety of ways for specific goals, but it is mainly a tool for mood-enhancement, both acute and long-term.

Expected duration of each session: ~10 minutes initially, ~30 seconds possible after practice.

Time and frequency limitations: None. Can be done as often and for as long as is desired.

Step 1

First, choose a part of your body to serve as an anchor. While doing this exercise, you will be continuously stimulating this part of your body via touch (kinesthetic stimulus). Examples include rubbing the back of your left or right hand or underarm, either upper thigh, or either shoulder. Some other body parts are less useful since they have specific other hormonal functions that interrupt the physiological mechanisms needed to make this technique work. Out of courtesy I’ll refrain from naming them.

Step 2

Take up a victory stance and maintain that stance during your exercise, while walking, standing or sitting. Good dancing posture or meditation posture will also work. Alternatively, if lying down, make sure to lie on your back on a hard surface (such as a wooden floor) so that you will not obstruct your breathing nor unnaturally strain your muscles, which certain comfortable couches and mattresses will do.

Do NOT tighten your abs. This is not required for a victory stance and will prevent you from successfully completing step 3.

Step 3

Make sure that you are breathing correctly at all times. This requires good posture, as per step 2.

Step 4

Start daydreaming! Whether it be an imaginary world, or dreaming of future accomplishments, or even just contemplating your favorite colors for different items, allow yourself to lose yourself in your inner world, if only for a minute or 10.

Step 5

Imagine whatever you’re imagining in vivid detail. Make it more colorful, brighter, and grander. It doesn’t need to be larger than life, but don’t limit your imagination! Allow yourself to have every thought that crosses your mind, and don’t question or criticize your thoughts!

This goes DOUBLE for any negative thoughts. Allow yourself to have them, and if you’re using this exercise during a particularly stressful period or time of day, allow them a place in your mind, but ignore them. Don’t REPRESS them.

Step 6

Focus on every positive aspect of both your fantasy and the emotions that they invoke. Focus on the best aspects and most pleasant aspects of the fantasy, as well as the most pleasant thoughts and emotions about that fantasy. Don’t restrict yourself, don’t question them, don’t spoil the thought with rebuttals. Fantasy is just that – fantasy. It needs to be neither realistic nor correct