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The science of happiness, otherwise known as positive psychology, is the study of the things that make our lives truly worth living.
The good news, for those of us who may not be feeling as sprightly as we would like to, is this. There are some very practical steps we can all take to increase our general levels of happiness.
1. Values and Goal Setting: Goals are important for keeping us motivated and moving towards something that is of value to us.
It is important to set goals that align with our own personal values. That way they will have a deeper meaning to you than simply "I want a better car because it will impress the neighbours". People in general are more likely to achieve meaningful goals, and derive greater satisfaction from the outcome.
2. Random Acts of Kindness: A seemingly selfless act, such as donating money to charity, has been shown to stimulate the "reward centre" of our brain in the same way it is stimulated by eating chocolate or receiving money.
So keep your good karma flowing and happiness levels high by performing random acts of kindness on a regular basis. Take time to show appreciation to friends or co-workers, put money in someone else's parking meter or do some volunteer work in your local community.
3. Mindfulness: Many of us carry out the motions of living without ever being truly "present". This leaves us feeling stressed, unhappy, and disconnected from the true purpose of our lives.
Make it a daily goal to practice mindfulness by bringing your full awareness into the smallest of tasks, stilling the inane chatter in your mind and embracing the present moment. If you are so inclined try some yoga or meditation.
4. Character Strengths and Solutions: Each of us has our own unique strengths and weaknesses of character. Focussing on your five strongest character traits - such as a love of learning, leadership, hope and gratitude, for example - can increase your level of happiness.
Each week, make a point of using each of your top character strengths in different ways. If you love learning why not try a new language? If your strength is gratitude, why not write some thank-you notes?
When faced with a problem, focus on leveraging your strengths to create possible solutions, rather than dwelling on the negative aspect of the problem itself. This approach is more productive and conducive to happiness.
5. Gratitude: Approaching life with a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation is proven to improve both your mood and your general level of life satisfaction.
At the end of each day, list at least three things that went well during the course of the day. If someone does you a good deed, thank them, either in person or by sending a thank-you note.
6. Forgiveness: Holding a grudge for a specific hurt or wrong-doing inflicted upon you by someone else is harmful to your own future happiness and well-being.
Forgiveness does not mean condoning the action of the other person or "letting them off the hook", it is about finding the compassion and strength within yourself to let go of the bad feelings and move on with your life.
7. Social Connections: Humans are basically social animals - meaningful social connections are a necessary part of being happy.
Take the time to talk to people outside your normal social group. Build rapport by practicing your listening skills and showing genuine interest in what the other person is saying. If you like someone, take the initiative and invite them for coffee.
8. Pause and Reflect: Keeping a journal is a great way of making time to regularly reflect on your experiences and lessons learned. Recording your thoughts and feelings on paper will also bring up deeper insights and sometimes even solutions to nagging problems.
Writing expressively on a regular basis is very therapeutic. Even 15-20 minutes of writing per day can work wonders. | 
