A guide to happiness

Follow these steps to beat off the winter blues

1. Make your own happiness. Don't assume because you've always been a cup half empty person, you cant improve on your level of happiness. Studies have shown that 50% of our happiness is governed by our genes, and so effectively beyond our control. However, that gives us the other 50% to work with.

2. Give to charity. Giving as little as £2.52 a month can make us happier, according to a study of more than 600 people. Those who gave to charity had improved opinion of themselves and felt happier knowing that they had helped others.

3. Fake it smiling, even when you don't feel happy, can make you feel better. When you smile, a psychological change happens which makes you feel better, and on the flip side, a frown can make you feel miserable. A smile will make those around you feel better too!

4. Don't over think. Gretchen Ruubin, who is researching tips and theories of happiness for a book called The Happiness Project, says, "I realised quite quickly that, rather than daily meditation or answering deep questions of self identity, I should go to sleep at a decent hour and not let myself get too hungry. Science backs this up; these two factors have a big impact on happiness."