Still Happy

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Back in November 2015 I wrote a post entitled ‘Great Dream’ when I referred to Action for Happiness’ website. The Observer caught up at the weekend when firstly it commented on the recent study showing that we are at our most miserable at 47.2 after which, thankfully, we become more realistic and, in tandem, happier. Then in its Review, it published an interview with the economist, Richard Layard, who argues that politicians should be formally targeting well-being in circumstances where happiness ought to be a key measure of a society’s success.

The Review also prints an extract from Richard Layard’s new book, “Can We Be Happier? Evidence and Ethics,” written with George Ward. In the extract there is an explanation as to why Action for Happiness was founded and how the 10 keys to happier living are listed in the acronym Great Dream, split between five daily actions ( as in GREAT) and five habits of mind summed up by DREAM. Both are explained in the info graphic above and, more importantly but relying solely on my own experience to date, seem to correlate with the basis for a healthy, happy retirement too.

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