Happy thoughts

jjdebenedictis has had a wonderful idea: to post a song from your childhood that makes you happy. Hers is here. I immediately thought of this song:


Meanwhile, some friends who met in the blogosphere in 2008 are posting voice posts from that time, or new ones in honour of that time.

• Robin's is here.
• Whirl's is here.

I know I've missed some, so please comment and I'll add you to the list.

How to be Happy

It's now official. The Happiness Experiment found that the best way to increase your happiness is to think about something that went well the previous day.

So now you know. Let's all get feeling happy!

The end of happiness

The happiness experiment has ended. I dutifully did my bit every day and had a slightly less than usually good week. It might have been fretting about doing the experiment or it might just have been one of those weeks. I don't think that doing things for other people in a planned way suits me, though.

I'd love to hear how you got on.

Roadblocks to Happiness

The Science of Happiness experiment began yesterday and already I've hit some problems.

The task I was given was to do something nice for someone else every day. That sounds so easy. I can't imagine a day when I don't do that already and I'm guessing that's true for you too, given that the suggestions include

complimenting someone, giving a friend or loved one a small gift, sending a helpful email, donating to those in need, or just contacting someone who would enjoy hearing from you

So, does it count if it was something I would have done anyway?

Let's say that I ignore that and just make sure that I count one good deed a day towards the experiment. Now here's the crunch. If I email you because it's my one good day of the day, how does that make you feel? I'm not sure I'd like to be someone else's charity project. The experiment is like a little bit of grit in all my relationships, causing me to ask myself "Am I doing this because I want to, or because it's my good deed of the day?"

I know what makes me happy. Walking in the sun somewhere with lots of greenery, petting my cats and playing clarinet.

I didn't expect the happiness experiment to be this hard. How are you finding it?

Happiness reminder

Just to remind you that the Happiness Experiment starts today and runs for a week. You can join in at any time during the week.

You can also follow it on Twitter.

Be Happy

If you've ever wanted to be happier, now is your chance. Join in an experiment to see what increases happiness. All you have to do is to fill out a short form about your current level of happiness, watch a YouTube video about a one-minute happiness-boosting technique, and then use it once a day for a week. At the end of the week you will be emailed a follow-up form to see if the technique has helped. I'm going for it.

You don't have to wait for the experiment either. The Science of Happiness Blog has ten tips for greater happiness. I already do or have done quite a few of those, although I don't stroke dogs I stroke cats. I stopped listening to the news some time ago and that certainly boosted my happiness.

If you have any favourite happiness tips then maybe you could share them.