Today is the happiest day of the year!

by michelle.sundvick | June 20, 2008 at 11:39 am

802 views | 0 Recommendations | 21 comments

The birds are chirping, the sun is shining ( a seemingly rare occurence in Vancouver these days), and summer is right around the corner; combine the three and you've got a surefire formula for happiness. In fact, it may just be the happiest day of the year.

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.

TGIF - hope everyone is having a fabulous day!

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Jordan Yerman

at 11:56 on June 20th, 2008

I'm beside myself with glee.... but does that mean that every other day will be less-good?

cmaggitti

at 13:21 on June 20th, 2008

First smiles are always the most precious.

cmaggitti has contributed a photo to this story.

hamron

at 14:24 on June 20th, 2008

Thanks for showing interest in my photo!

hamron has contributed a photo to this story.

Monotonousblob

at 14:42 on June 20th, 2008

I made this photo using javE, a free program at http://www.jave.de/

enjoy!

Monotonousblob has contributed a photo to this story.

iluvbeads

at 15:24 on June 20th, 2008

GOOD MORNING! A smiling plate of sausage and syrup...couldn't resist taking this photo after I realized my son's breakfast was smiling back at us! It was a good day!

iluvbeads has contributed a photo to this story.

pfranca

at 15:39 on June 20th, 2008

;)

pfranca has contributed a photo to this story.

wowsprinkles

at 18:51 on June 20th, 2008

Late nights at an empty grocery store with best friends back in my hometown.

wowsprinkles has contributed a photo to this story.

ToranasaurusRex

at 20:22 on June 20th, 2008

my friend was having a glum birthday so we thought this balloon would be instant happiness!

ToranasaurusRex has contributed a photo to this story.

Maddy_Peace

at 22:39 on June 20th, 2008

thank you so much for using my photo!

faeryboots

at 08:12 on June 21st, 2008

Thank you for using my photo of the smiley face ketchup.

adrian_mendez79

at 09:10 on June 21st, 2008

we were in canada and my son pointed to the smiley faces and said mommy and daddy so i took the shot!

adrian_mendez79 has contributed a photo to this story.

candyman104

at 09:32 on June 21st, 2008

smiley face in the hills of the spanish flats of Lake Berryessa

candyman104 has contributed a photo to this story.

stars

at 11:05 on June 21st, 2008

hello:D

michelle.sundvick

at 18:47 on June 21st, 2008

Thanks for your photo contributions everyone :)

shannon.mac

at 16:38 on June 22nd, 2008

Hi! I appreciate you using my photo, I think this is all a great idea and a cute way to brighten up everyones day =)

Thanks again!

shellydelight

at 09:56 on June 23rd, 2008

Great post! It was great to see one of my necklaces in a photo to this story. To be honest, i was extremely happy friday!

http://shellydelight.etsy.com

shellydelight has contributed a photo to this story.

Steph M

at 11:26 on June 23rd, 2008

My son is such a joy. When he smiles, he can make any day the best!!

Steph M has contributed a photo to this story.

Fade

at 17:26 on June 23rd, 2008

I took the photo of the smiley face made out of cigarette butts as part of a scavenger hunt. I was requested to take a picture of something disgusting but cute. I think it worked out pretty well. :)

masterpari

at 15:33 on July 4th, 2008

This SMILEY EGG has a long story.. This photo was taken during its few last days..
After it came to this earth, it was packed and sent to a supermarket self. it may have been couple of weeks by then.. After i brought it home, i ruthlessly boiled it for about 20minutes along with few of its fellow colleagues. This egg, however, managed to escape from the menu that day.. it hide itself in the corner in the freezer. When I found it deep inside my freezer, it was already 2week old boiled egg..
This picture is the proud egg's expression after it was allowed to live in my 'stationary drawer' as an award for its bravery.

masterpari has contributed a photo to this story.