Where is the happiest place to live

Where is the happiest place to live

For as long as I can remember I’ve been going on holiday to Galloway.  It’s in the south west corner of Scotland – a part of the country that’s often ignored as people power up the motorway to Glasgow or Edinburgh and beyond.  My earliest...
Does Having Children Make You Happier?

Does Having Children Make You Happier?

First of all – I’m not a parent.  I’ve always wanted to become one, but it’s taken me a long time to find my guy.  Now I’ve finally found him (hurrah!), we’ve started to have the odd conversation about the future and having kids. So after wanting them for so...
Giving Anger The Credit It Deserves

Giving Anger The Credit It Deserves

Last week I lost my temper. I arrived into JFK airport after a long flight, and joined the queue for immigration. Because I’d already got an Esta, I could use the same process as the Americans, but despite this, all foreigners were ushered into a separate queue that...
Why You Should Give Yourself One Night Each Week

Why You Should Give Yourself One Night Each Week

One of the more recent steps I’ve taken to increase my happiness is to start going to a regular dance class. I sat down and wrote a list of things that made me happy, and then considered how I could do more of them. Climbing and dancing were right up there on the...
What Percentage of Happiness Can We Control?

What Percentage of Happiness Can We Control?

Happiness is hard work. This isn’t what anyone wants to hear, and you might not agree. We have all watched friends transform from miserable to happy as a result of a new relationship, a new job or some other change in life circumstances. And life circumstances clearly...
What Jobs do The World’s Happiest People do?

What Jobs do The World’s Happiest People do?

Are farmers happier than musicians? Do members of the clergy feel more satisfied with their lives than politicians? Are people happier in better paid jobs? The ONS has been collecting the data for the past three years, and What Works Wellbeing (a Government-funded...
Brexit – Time to Get Serious About Compassion

Brexit – Time to Get Serious About Compassion

So last week I wrote about how to cope with other people’s negative emotions. The following day, the Brexit result was announced. The result packed such a big emotional punch that even though I normally try to keep out of politics, I felt I had to write about it....
How to Say a Super-Charged Thank You

How to Say a Super-Charged Thank You

Want to know a quick and easy way to make someone’s day?  Tell them thank you, like you mean it.  But how can you do this without looking like you are: a) sucking up, b) overly emotional or c) being formulaic? Here’s a trick that works really well.  I’ve tried it.  I...