Be happy

Slough usually gets a bad press. Its prominence has been increased in recent years by the success of The Office. An experiment that has been run in Slough over the last few months caught my eye. A team of researchers are trying to find out what makes people happy. They have a list of ten simple measures to help people to lead happier, more meaningful lives. 50 volunteers are putting them into practice over several months. The researchers are monitoring the effect of the measures on the happiness of those involved in the experiment. They are also looking at the effect it has on overall levels of happiness in the town. The experiment is the subject of a four-part series that started on BBC2 last Tuesday night.

We have yet to find out what the effect has been on the inhabitants of Slough, but I would imagine that if the volunteers entered into the spirit of the experiment, they will find their lives enriched as a result. Here’s the researchers’ ten-point guide to happiness.

• Plant something and nurture it
• Count your blessings - at least five - at the end of each day
• Take time to talk - have an hour-long conversation with a loved one each week
• Phone a friend whom you have not spoken to for a while and arrange to meet up
• Give yourself a treat every day and take the time to really enjoy it
• Have a good laugh at least once a day
• Get physical - exercise for half an hour three times a week
• Smile at and/or say hello to a stranger at least once each day
• Cut your TV viewing by half
• Spread some kindness - do a good turn for someone every day

Why don’t you have a go at the experiment yourself? I outline how to put these measures into effect in my exercise below. Feel free to call me on 07947 959869 if you would like some help in implementing them. Remember, I offer a free initial consultation.

Spend a few minutes thinking about your own level of happiness. Which things on the list above could you do? Have a go, and enjoy the results!


Be happy: five steps

1. Review your own life

Have a look at your own life. How many of the things on the list do you do now?

2. Chose one measure from the list

Start with the measure that grabs your eye the most. Of those that you don’t do, which appeals to you most? Have a go at putting it into practice. Set a date to review the effect. This could be after three days, five days or a week.

3. Review the effects

How has doing this thing affected you? What has been the effect on your levels of happiness? How has it affected those around you?

4. Choose another measure from the list

Choose another action from the list to implement. Do it, and again, set a time to review the effects.

5. Feedback

Keep going through the list until you’ve tried the lot. Why not try one a week for the next ten weeks? I’d be interested to hear from you about the results. If you want I will forward them to the team running the experiment.


No-one else can take responsibility for your happiness. Use the simple measures on the list to lead a happier, more meaningful life.