So what can you do?

Well, the cheerful folks at the Optimists Society have declared Monday 18th January, “International Optimism Day” – and invite you to go out and cheer up those around you by getting together with the people you care about and having a fantastic fun day.

We agree. Studies show that one of the best ways to feel happier yourself is to perform an act of kindness for someone.

So why not:

• Call someone you haven’t spoken to for ages
• Say hello to someone you see everyday, but never speak to
• Do something random and lovely for a complete stranger
• Pay someone a compliment
• Show your gratitute for something you normally take for granted
• Say ‘yes’ to something you’d normally say ‘no’ to

If you really want to start changing the way you feel, don’t wait for the 18th…

Start now, and do at least one thing every day.

That’s because, very often, the way we feel is simply a habit, so make a new habit, and have fun doing it!

Why not share your ideas and tell us what things you have done by leaving a comment below.

Kind regards,
Rob & Heidi

In fact, the opposite turned out to be true. Students were asked how well they expected to do in word association tests, and then questioned again afterwards. Of those who did poorly in the tests, those who expected to do well, but in fact performed poorly, felt better about themselves than those who expected to do poorly and were proved right…

The two tests performed in the study concluded that there was little evidence to support the old adage, and found that those people who thought they would do well tended to be more positive thinking in general.

(Cognition & Emotion, Volume 20, Number 1/January 2006)