Get Happy . . .

So, there's been a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology trying to figure out if it's possible to get happier. Seriously.

It sounds like a no-brainer involving copious amounts of chocolate, but actually, a shocking number of people spend the majority of their lives in the dumps. I know I can be seriously unhappy a lot of the time.

So, get ready for the science. According to the studdy, these five steps are what can lead to greater happiness:

1. Be grateful. Some study participants were asked to write letters of gratitude, and even if they never sent them, reported feeling happier for days, even weeks afterwards.

2.Be optimistic. Participants were asked to visualize an ideal future, and after weeks of this, reported feeling more upbeat. (They called this daydreaming when I was caught doing it at school)

3.Count you blessings. I'm all for this one. Apparently, participants wrote down three good things that happened each week. We probably don't do this often enough.

4.Use your strengths. People in the study were asked to identify their strengths and use them in new ways. I'm not certain my costuming would be appreciated much at the office, but maybe I could ride a unicycle while I deliver people's mail.

5. Finally, commit acts of kindness. I cannot get behind this one enough. I love doing little random things for people, especially when they don't know it, and I always feel good afterwards.

Maybe this doesn't seem all that complicated, but we should try some of these things every once in a while. Certainly couldn't hurt.

What about you, dear readers? What do you think would make you happier?