Welsh psychologist Cliff Arnall, who identified Blue Monday (third Monday of January) as the saddest day of the year, also used a mathematical formula which identified 20th June as Yellow Monday, the happiest day of the year.
Arnall created a mathematical formula to reflect the factors that make this date the happiest. The research was sponsored by Wall’s, the British ice cream maker, in 2006 to coincide with the opening of a photographic competition capturing happy summer moments.
These are the six elements he included in his formula:
- O: The benefits of being outdoors, and enjoying outdoor activities
- N: The connection with nature during spring
- S: More Socializing with friends and family
- Cpm: Memories of positive childhood memories
- T: The warm temperature
- He: The anticipation of the long-awaited summer vacation
Comparing the two dates, and bearing in mind the elements of his formula, I’d agree that most people are probably happier on 20th June than on 17th January. The summer holidays, emotionally significant due to our childhood memories, are closer, the weather has improved, and the days are longer.
Yesterday I sent some friends a screenshot of Yellow Monday and wrote, “enjoy the happiest day of the year”. One of my friends’ reply made me think twice about what happiness means to me: She said, “I’ll try my best.”
And we started a conversation, because she’s absolutely right.
We often imagine happiness as something that appears out of the blue, suddenly, and although that may occasionally occur, that isn’t how happy moments usually happen.
We came to the conclusion that we have to actively create happy moments in our lives, as often as possible, embrace them, and bottle them up as wonderful memories.
We should plan to do things we enjoy and make an effort to enjoy the things we have to do.
The secret is to make sure we indulge in as many elements of his formula as we can as often as we can:
Go for a walk somewhere in nature. Take photographs of the sea, a tree, a blade of grass, a cloud, or a wildflower. Plan for an outing.
Contact or better still see someone you love face to face or on social media. Plan to meet up.
Do something you love. If you love even if it’s just for half an hour. Watch an episode of your favourite series, read a chapter of a book you love, or read a poem or two. Plan to do something you enjoy during the week.
Allow yourself to enjoy every little moment. You deserve it!
Life is all about the little-big things; hugging my grandchildren, chatting to those who live far away of whatsapp or other social media, reading an engaging novel or an enlightening personal growth book, making a delicious meal for someone I love, taking a pretty photograph, messaging a friend on her birthday, complimenting someone, going for a walk, singing my favourite song in the shower, watching youtube shorts by my favourite speakers, and the list could go on…
I’m happy today, because of hundreds of little-big things I relish in doing, and I’ll make an effort to be just as happy tomorrow, because I believe happiness is an attitude, not a fleeting feeling.
This is a special week for me. I’m on granny duty.
Today I’m happy because I took my granddaughter to school, after dressing her up as a butterfly for a school show, then I had a delicious coffee in a bar and a chat with my husband, then I cooked meat balls for lunch, which my grandkids love, in between I wrote this blog post, and this afternoon I plan to do many more fun things, because I choose to enjoy every little moment.
Let’s make every day the happiest day of the year enjoying the little big things in life and making them happen!
Share some of today’s happy moments in the comments!
Rereading Jane Eyre 
Yep v true. Happiness needs work but the benefits are legion. Looks like granny time is fun though that may require a fair bit of work. I have that to look forward to.
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There is ‘some’ work involved! But you are going to have such fun, Geoff!
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Yep. Happiness is a choice. By the ‘rule’ though, here in the Southern Hemisphere. 20th June would be the saddest day of the year. I’m pleased to say that it wasn’t so for me. I chose happy.
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Wise choice, Norah! I hadn’t thought about the differences in the southern hemisphere.
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There are fewer of us down here. 😂
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Grandchildren remind you what’s important in life! And make every day happy!
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Yes! Aren’t we lucky!
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Absolutely!
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