Find Joy Every Day

Buying yourself a pricey necklace or splurging on a meal at a fancy restaurant may not make you any happier, says new research. Instead, try a leisurely stroll. Free or inexpensive activities enhance our sense of well-being more than costlier ones—even among lottery winners—the study found. "Spending time relaxing is the key," says study author Richard Tunney, Ph.D., a psychology professor at the University of Nottingham in England.

The more frequently you indulge in the following simple pleasures, the more often you'll crack a smile:

• Find a cozy spot, and curl up with a book.
• Crank up the stereo and listen to music.
• Enjoy a bar of chocolate with your husband.
• Take a long snooze one weekend afternoon.
• Devote time to your favorite hobby.

Copyright © 2008. Used with permission from the March 2008 issue of Family Circle magazine.