Crazy happy silly - playful ways to make yourself instantly happier

I loved the opening lines of the editorial for Frankie (issue No. 24) by editor Jo Walker: "Sometimes tiny changes can have a big impact. When I was younger my friends and I had a game where we'd all get in the car and drive around wearing swimming caps - those floral ones that nannas wear, with the plastic daisies and bumpy bits. It was the exact same thing we did every day, except with did it in silly hats. It was hilarious."

Having a well-developed sense of the silly can really brighten up your day. All kinds of other things may be happening in your life that - in that moment - you may have a limited ability to resolve... but with a simple, funny, silly, playful indulgance, for second or two you can have some relief: a quick giggle.

For some people, the silly hat might do it, dyeing your tea blue might do it, wearing a tattoo transfer to your next family gathering might do it, or tagging your wife with a texta while she watches TV might do it... whatever! Believe it or not, no matter how grown up and serious we get, we all still have an innate sense of the ridiculous. When we allow ourselves to be a little bit playful a whole new aspect of our day can open up...

Back soon... just going to do a couple of quick chicken walks round the yard...

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Pursuit of happiness - good books about happiness

Did you know that having a cheerful disposition is 40% genetic? So some people actually are born happier... but 60% is still a pretty big window of opportunity if you are looking for some tips or tricks to instantly increase the level of joy in your life.

The pursuit of happiness is not new and you are not the first person to be curious about happiness. Is it brain chemisty? Is it a learned behaviour? Can we influence our own feelings using our thoughts?

The exciting thing is some of the people who've really really really wanted to know the answers to these questions about happiness have written down what they have discovered. So there is no need to reinvent the wheel. If you're interested in finding out more about happiness or how to be happier take a look at these books:

• Sonja Lyubomirsky (2007) The How of Happiness
• Seligman, Martin (2002) Authentic Happiness
• Seligman, Martin (1990) Learned Optimism

Not interested in books and theories? Want to be instantly happier and not have to read a book to do it? You could try some of the very practical happiness exercises you can find at www.happier.com. You'll feel better at the end of each one.

Have fun and enjoy!

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