How to increase your happiness

The Low Carb Diabetic recently posted on how being happy makes you healthier, a lovely post. It lists ways to increase one's happiness, I was struck by how this can be achieved by anyone. The list: express gratitude, exercise, get a good night's rest, spend time outside, meditate and have a healthy diet. I am not big on meditation, perhaps room to grow here.

Happiness Is

A summer walk in the neighbourhood snapping flowers, just a short time left, sigh.

crabapple

Rosehip

Rosehip in the neighbourhood is still blooming:

Did you know that fermented foods can boost happiness?  This would be like yogurt or pickles, they have good bacteria that release good mood chemicals.  Read this article for more  details.

Red Velvet Cookies

Daughter L went to a party on the weekend and made these red velvet cookies to take with her. They were baked with cream cheese icing in the middle and were moist and delicious. She drizzled melted white chocolate chips for the topping.

The February 2014 issue of Chatelaine Magazine has an article in the health section that says "simple acts of kindness increase joy and reduce social anxiety". 
So in my mind, it's actually being selfish to be kind. It can be just giving someone a well meant compliment, or just saying hello. Then you get this boost of well-being.  How about that?