10 Secrets to Happiness

1. Connect with Happy People

In the past we lived in small, close-knit communities with a sense of strong social support, purpose and belonging. According to an analysis published in the British Medical Journal, happier people tend to have more social support and a higher level of social connectedness. The authors found that, "People's happiness depends on the happiness of others with whom they are connected." Plus, the study found that positive feelings can be contagious, spreading up to three degrees of separation within each social network.

2. Find Your Passion

As Malcolm Forbes, millionaire and publisher of Forbes magazine, once said, "The biggest mistake people make in life is not trying to make a living at doing what they most enjoy." Identify what you're truly passionate about and make a living out of it; the result will be a more fulfilled and happier you.

3. Quit Bad Habits

Whether it's smoking, drinking, over-eating or (insert your weakness here), we all have our vice in a stressful situation. While our bad habits may seem to help in the short-term, they can lead to increased risk of disease and other related health problems, which will definitely put a dent in your overall happiness. Check out our article on dealing with stress without resorting to the family-sized bar of Dairy Milk or bottle of Chenin Blanc.

4. Eat Happy

According to nutrition and mental health expert Patrick Holford, you can boost your mood naturally through certain nutrients. Both serotonin and noradrenaline, powerful neurotransmitters which promote feelings of happiness in the brain, are made from the breakdown of amino acids. Serotonin is made from tryptophan, which is found in fish, turkey, chicken, cheese, beans, tofu, oats and eggs. Noradrenaline is made from phenylalanine and tyrosine, which can be found in fish, soya products, poultry, meat, eggs, dairy products, butter beans, almonds, peanuts, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, wheatgerm and oats.

5. Give Time to Others

It's official, volunteering makes you happy. In a 2008 report by the University of Wales, it was revealed that giving up time for others had a positive impact on volunteers' health - improving self-esteem, longevity and family relationships, as well as plummeting the risk of depression, stress and psychological distress.

6. Positive Exercise

Findings from research done at the School of Medicine at Boston University have shed light on a link between happiness and activities such as yoga and meditation. Researchers measured higher levels of GABA (the neurotransmitter γ-Aminobutyric acid - "the brain's peacemaker," says Holford) in the brain in participants, which is linked to greater feelings of wellbeing and happiness. Even gentle exercise, be it walking, dancing or any type of movement helps to release endorphins, our body's natural 'anti-depressants', which improve your mental state and help to boost immune function.

7. Go for Your Goals

Psychologists argue that setting realistic life goals and the steps towards achieving them can help us to feel a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment. Whether it be learning a new skill, building a successful business or losing those five extra pounds, pick goals that utilise your strengths and reward yourself when you accomplish them.

8. Get More Vitamin D

Science has long known that Vitamin D, made naturally when our bodies are exposed to sunlight, plays an important role in areas of the brain that affect mood and behaviour. Yet in the UK we don't get enough of this vitamin, especially in the winter. To make Vitamin D, the body must be exposed to natural sunlight for 20 minutes, three times a week – a walk to work, even on cloudy days, counts. Otherwise it's best to seek a good quality supplement, especially during those long dark winter months.

9. Trust Your Gut Instinct

The expression 'trusting your gut' or 'gut instinct' has roots in medical fact. Most strong emotional feelings are felt physically somewhere along the digestive tract, such as the feeling of 'butterflies in the stomach' when we are nervous. "Research has found that taking probiotics can improve mood in those who are prone to depression," explains Holford. How? Probiotics promote the growth of 'good bacteria' and calm the gut, thus signalling to the brain that there is no need to worry.

10. Learn to Laugh

Laughter really is the best medicine. When we laugh we release endorphins, our body's natural "feel good factors". These hormones have powerful physiological effects within the body - helping to decrease stress, lower blood pressure and reduce pain. It's good for your figure too - researchers at Vanderbilt University in America have found that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes can burn off the number of calories found in a medium-sized square of chocolate.