Partner Article

Happiest day of the year. Apparently.

Britons should have plenty to smile about on Friday 19 June - as it’s officially the happiest day of 2009.

Our spirits have apparenty been boosted by the sunny start to summer, the longest days of the year, the nearing of payday - and optimism that Andy Murray could win Wimbledon.

Psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall devised a formula to pinpoint the day we are all most likely to feel the happiest. The Cardiff University lecturer said people should forget credit crunch worries because the secret of happiness lies with things which are free.

His complicated mathematic formula is: O + (N x S) + Cpm/T + He.

O = being outdoors and outdoor activity, N = nature, S = social interaction, Cpm = memories of childhood summers and other positive thoughts, T = temperature, and He = excitement about holidays.

Dr Arnall, from Brecon in Powys, said: “The most important things you can do to be happy are free. People may be less able to afford other leisure activities but it’s free to walk in the park or paddle in a stream. It refreshes you and you forget your other worries. And the most important thing in our lives are our relationships - and no amount of money can buy that.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .