Get happy

Dr Timothy Sharp, the "chief happiness officer" at Sydney's Happiness Institute, says the problem for many people is they tend to harp on the negative events in their lives more so than the positive ones. "Happy people, instead, reminisce about the good times and savour the experiences - and we can all learn to do it." Sharp says one practice they encourage at the institute is for people to write down three good things that happen each day in a "gratitude diary", into which magazine clippings and photos can be thrown as well. "Then you can look back on it and have a record of the really good times in your life."

You'll be happy to know (pun intended) I'm now halfway through my '10 best days of my life' list:

1. The day I got my driver's licence after two failed attempts (independence, at last!).
2. Meeting my little niece when she was just born (I couldn't take my eyes off her).
3. The first heart-stopping kiss with my first love (is anything better than young love?).
4. Seeing Italy for the first time (where my family came from), when circling over Venice in a plane.

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5. Any day watching Sex and the City with my sisters.

As for the rest? I'll get back to you!

How to make every day your best day
The Happiness Institute's CHOOSE philosophy is based on six powerful, positive psychology strategies:
C = Clarity (of goals, direction and life purpose).
Happy people set clear goals and plan to ensure these goals become reality. So, clarify your life plan now (because no one else will do it for you!).
H = Healthy living (activity and exercise, diet and nutrition, and sleep). Health forms a crucial part of the foundation to happiness. It's hard to be happy
if you're literally sick and tired all the time.
O = Optimism (positive but realistic thinking).
Happy people search for positives in thinking about themselves, others and the world. The good news is that this is something you can learn to do.
O = Others (the key relationships in your life).
Happy people have both more and better quality relationships. So make sure you devote time to developing and fostering your key relationships.

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