Ever had that Sunday afternoon feeling where you experience the because you have nothing to do? You’d been looking forward to relaxing all week, the time is here and you just aren’t enjoying it. Yet if you make plans for using your time so it is fun-filled and keeps you active (mind, body or both), you will be better off emotionally. Having plans and goals, then spending time working on them is a great happiness boost. This makes sense if you think about it. You are no longer drifting; …

As part of my regular exercise routine I keep a written record of my workouts. I use these to record the progress I am making, where work still needs doing as well as how much I enjoyed the workout. I was looking through some entries recently and noticed how often I would write ‘a fun workout’, or ‘enjoyable’.  Such observations took me by surprise – were they all enjoyable? Was I really having fun? So I decided to observe how I was feeling actually during my next few workouts (rather …

Positive psychologists Chris Peterson and Martin Seligman have identified 24 strengths which can be seen as character traits. All of these strengths can be developed.  A great deal of research has gone into looking into these strengths and how they can benefit happiness and wellbeing. Seligman suggests that we identify our signature strengths (our top strengths) and use these regularly in our lives. You can do this by visiting the Authentic Happiness website and completing the VIA Signature Strengths questionnaire. Using your signature strengths will feel effortless as they are …

Use your strengths

Rather than focusing on your limitations, try to spend time nurturing your strengths. In particular I mean your character strengths. Positive psychology has identified 24 different character strengths of which some will be more important to you than others. These are your signature strengths. If you can, use your  strengths everyday. It will help you feel good about yourself.

Carry out volunteer work

Try giving some of your time to a worthy cause. It can be as  often as you like; however, the more time you spend volunteering, the happier …

“Noble deeds and hot baths are the best cures for depression.” Dodie Smith
For the purposes of this article, depression will refer to those times of low mood we all sometimes experience; those episodes when you are really fed up and feeling blue. Past experience tells you it won’t last forever but at that moment you just can’t seem to cast it away. It does not refer to clinically diagnosed depression, as to do so would be flippant. Depression is a serious mental health condition and should not be underestimated.
What I …

At the end of each day, write down your happiness level out of 10, 1 being very unhappy, 10 being very happy. Then note the activities that you engaged in on that day. Try to include things you started, things you finished, where you went, who you spoke to. After a few days take a look at your happier days and note what things you tended to do on those days. What you now need to do is try to make an effort to do more of the things that …

Make a list of your top ten interests. This is your private list so you can be truly honest. You do not have to say those things that you may be expected to say in a job interview. Once you have your list, have a good look at it. Is there anything there which you have neglected or would like to do more of? If so, make a pact with yourself to do something about it.

Giving some of your time each week to is a great way to boost happiness. It does not have to take up much of your time, although the more you volunteer, the happier you will be. Get involved in an activity that you are interested in or maybe work with a group you know very little about. There are many options out there – just do a search on ‘volunteer’ and you should find sites that will help you find what you want.

What is a ? It is a concept defined by Csikszentmihalyi to describe those moments when you are so absorbed in an activity that everything else is forgotten, even the time. You get that feel-good buzz afterwards of having engaged in something engrossing. So try to find activities in your life that enable a regular flow experience. Engage regularly and you will feel much happier.

One way to increase your happiness levels is to reduce the amount of passive activities you engage in. The main culprit here is watching . Instead involve yourself in activities that you can become absorbed in. Read a book, carry out a sport, cooking, gardening, your hobby. Enjoy it today and make it something to look forward to rather than the next episode of some program that in reality makes no difference to the quality of your life or your happiness.