SQUEEZE MORE JOY OUTOF YOUR DAY

MAKE HAPPINESS A PRIORITY WITH THESE EXPERT-APPROVED TIPS

KNOW WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY

Get out a piece of paper and pen and write a list of what makes you happy and place it on your fridge or next to your computer. It could be dancing, a coastal walk with the kids, or going to the movies. Having trouble thinking what makes you happy? Think back to your childhood or early adulthood and recall what you used to love, what made you feel carefree. It could be trying your hand at painting, or playing the guitar. It’s never too late to try these again, even it’s just for 20 minutes a week, Make it a hobby again.

STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES

Find joy in something by using your senses and really savouring it. See a flower you like? Go and take sniff, find a scented candle you like, light it up when you have a bath. In a study published in The Journal of Positive Psychology, 101 participants each kept a diary for a month, recording positive activities they did and how much they did or didn’t savour them. Those who tended to really enjoy a good thing maintained high levels of happiness no matter what the day brought.

LIMIT TIME ON SOCIAL MEDIA

It’s easy to while away any spare time checking Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, but consider this – a study published in the scientific journal PLOS One found that the more people went on Facebook, the more their life satisfaction levels declined. Consider scheduling a certain time every day to check your social media, then shut it down.

TRY NEW EXPERIENCES

Sure, retail therapy can bring a smile to your dial, but if you want longer-lasting happiness, consider a new experience. It could be setting up a book club, a trip to Vietnam or volunteer dog walking.

CORRAL YOUR SUPPORT CREW

Want an instant boost? Have a list of your friends and family in your ‘favourites’ on your phone and choose one to call. These should be the trusted people who you know will see the lighter side of life no matter how many dark clouds descend, the people who can help you change your frame of mind and always make you laugh.

A KIND GESTURE

It’s true that just by doing one kind gesture a day, you can increase your general level of contentment. A study published in the PNAS Journal, found that people whose happiness was based on doing things for others were healthier than those whose happiness was based on consuming things. It’s as easy as thanking your bus driver.