How can I be more happy?

It's easy to think of happiness as a result, but happiness is also a driver. Exercise has such a profound effect on our happiness and well-being that it is an effective strategy for overcoming depression. In a study cited in Shawn Achor's book The Happiness Advantage, three groups of patients treated their depression with medication, exercise, or a combination of the two. We know that sleep helps our body recover from the day and repair itself and that it helps us focus and be more productive. It turns out sleep is also important for happiness. Staying in touch with friends and family is one of the top five regrets of the dying. This is pretty good news for those of us who are worried about fitting new habits into our already-busy schedules.

Twenty minutes is a short enough time to spend outside that you could fit it into your commute or even your lunch break. One of the most counterintuitive pieces of advice I found is that to make yourself feel happier, you should help others. In fact, 100 hours per year (or two hours per week) is the optimal time we should dedicate to helping others in order to enrich our lives. Of course it's important to practice "real smiles" where you use your eye sockets. (You've seen fake smiles that don't reach the person's eyes. Try it. Smile with just your mouth.