Why shouldn’t International Happiness Day be everyday?

On International Happiness Day, let’s remember how to be happy everyday

IT’S official, today is the real Happy Monday.

It’s International Happiness day which makes one wonder whether the rest of the 364 days of the year are ones of gripes, groans and gloom?

Who needs a special day to celebrate the ephemeral butterfly of bliss? Well maybe we all do.

Happiness to me is like a magic kind of spiritual fuel; a bit like water or fine white sand it slips through your fingers and needs to be topped up regularly in order for us to find meaning and purpose in our daily haul. 

We know that happiness is an inside job despite what the ad agencies may tout via bungee jumps, white knuckle rides and azure seascapes.

These are all good joy jump starters but there are many self-generating igniters which don’t demand a passport or neck brace. In simple terms happiness never turns away from us but we turn away from it.

It is always there like a never ending river of pleasure but you can either view life as if you’ve been blessed with a bucket to dip deep into it or life’s knock backs can mean you feel as if you’re only equipped with a teaspoon that has a hole in it. 

You don’t necessarily need money (although it can alleviate many hardships) for instant pleasure. 

You just need to know a few tricks and happiness will come flooding in like the smell of roses on a fine summer’s day.

So as you sit and read this you can be joy-rich within moments just by noticing.

Look at the sky, the colours around you, the sounds (notice any birdsong/the coffee machine gurgling/cars) and feel the air on your skin. Relish the moment of being alive.

A smile will instantly boost others but also kick-starts your own chuckle muscles. Give a compliment generously and actively find things to be grateful for. 

If you want to feel good then do good. Give up a seat, send a friend a card, buy a bunch of daffs (£1) and give them to somebody.

If you want to feel good, the best way to start is by doing something good

Take some gentle exercise, walk around the park and notice nature in all its budding glory and grace. When you feel a negative thought or grump coming on mentally say “next!” and summon up a more positive, supportive idea.

Actively build in “bliss points” every 90 minutes. These are little treats to mindfully look forward to; your first cuppa, a healthy breakfast, a call with a friend, listening to music or a favourite radio programme, enjoying a shower or bath.

This removes the flavourless, colourless hamster-wheel existence we can, as busy people, find ourselves in. Eat lunch away from your desk and relish your meals.