DEL.ICIO.USPsychologist says light, nature, socialization all play a part
Cox News Service
Published on: 06/20/08
LONDON - Having a fab day? That's no surprise. According to one British researcher, June 20 is the happiest day of 2008.
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| Did your froth smile at you this morning? This is supposed to be the happiest day of the year. | ||||||
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Cliff Arnall, a psychologist at the University of Cardiff in Wales, has come up with a formula that considers a variety of emotional, physical, and stress factors to determine the most blissful day of the year.
Apparently it's the combination of brighter evenings, childhood memories, and the prospect of summer holidays that puts the best possible spin on today.
On paper, Arnall's equation looks like this: O + (N x S) + Cpm/T + He.
O is time spent outdoors.
N is time spent in nature.
S is more socialization in the summer.
Cpm relates to positive memories of childhood summers.
T factors in temperature.
He is vacation anticipation.
Arnall said his calculation isn't rocket science. Being outside produces energy, while increased socialization — such as barbecues with neighbors — stimulates pleasure zones in the brain.
Also arousing feelings of euphoria are pleasant memories of childhood summers and the fact that vacations are just around the corner.
And it's no coincidence that the happiest day of the year falls on the summer solstice, the day with the most sunshine.
But Arnall's formula does not take into account the gloomy forecasts for world economies, dragged down by dropping house prices.
It also doesn't consider record fuel prices, which will make travel more >expensive this summer.
Even so, try to enjoy yourself. In six months we'll be marking what Arnall figures to be the gloomiest day of the year, generally the third Monday in January.
That's when bad weather, Christmas debt, and failed New Year's resolutions will surely be getting you down.
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Comments
By Carl
Jun 24, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
I just got married on June 20th, so it's pretty happy for me and my wife.
By Genevieve
Jun 21, 2008 1:10 AM | Link to this
Happiest??? Hmmmm... I'm not so sure about the happiest. Yet with everyday I live life loving, it helps me to love living life. So for today I am happy and for those that are also happy, yeah for them and those that are not, I hope for them and I smile in faith. May all our paths blossom with happy.
By Theadora
Jun 20, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
I think today should be the happiest day of the year. Not too hot, not to cold. Plus, like you nancy, its my birthday. I'm happy, and I'm emo, so today MUST be the happiest day of the year.
By la
Jun 20, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
happy-schmappy.
it would be better if I wasn't working (eh hem) right now.
the office drama has got me down. sigh here's to another freakin happy day.
By scooter
Jun 20, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
I hate June 20th
By Gerald
Jun 20, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
You can be happy whenever and wherever you want to be! It's all in your head! I have personally traveled to some of the poorest countries in the world and seen truly happy people there. Especially in India, the ordinary street sweeper knows he is not the body (or the social status that comes with it), but a pure eternal spirit within, part of God. This knowledge brings happiness.
By Bertie
Jun 20, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
Yes - It is!
Today would have been my 10th wedding anniversary and my ex-husband's 48th birthday! It's a happy day indeed because I have a new life and am happier than I've ever been in my life!
By nancy
Jun 20, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
Today June 20 is my birthday so that makes me happy :-)
By Dr. Warren
Jun 20, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
Here in Shanghai, the sky on a summer sunny day still looks as grey as a cloudy one back in Atlanta--and it's every bit as humid. Don't complain about your pollution, Atlantans, you ain't seen nothin...
When I got out of the door at Hartsfield during a visit back in April, it smelled fresh as a forest. Yes, I do live in China.
By td
Jun 20, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this
I'm actually happiest in the fall, when football is on TV and it's not so irrationally hot outside. Actually, during the summer, I'm fairly miserable. Too hot and too many mosquitoes to go for a decent run, too much smog and pollution, too much yard work to do.
June through August are the most awful months of the year; I can't wait until September.
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