We all need a happy place. Is there somewhere that you go that always makes you smile without fail? For me, my happy place is the beach. Rain or shine, big waves or small, the beach offers a salty, briney, delicious sense of goodness that’s hard to shake. Not only does the sandy beauty turn my mood around instantly, but I can always count on the beach for fun activities as well, like surfing, swimming, volleyball, or simply reading a book.

As it turns out, we humans aren’t that complicated. All it takes to turn our frowns upside down is a little boost of dopamine, and if you look hard enough, you realize that happiness can be found all around us. Joy is in the whispering breeze on a hot day, the dancing grass at the park, and a dog’s wagging tail. So whether your happy place is the all-you-can-eat sushi bar, a backwoods rodeo, or your son’s first choir recital, seek the places that make your soul smile.