Young Brits have never been unhappier, says today's news. This wobble in their wellbeing is largely down to worries about jobs and money. Understandable really, as they're the things that make lots of us hear our own heartbeats in the middle of the night.
While I can't wave a magic wand and pull jobs and cash out of a hat, there is one thing I swear by for making me see the good in life.
Jaffa cakes.
That was a poor joke, but it sort of tumbled out of my subconscious as I wrote. Which is much closer to where I'm really going with this.
My advice to anyone – of any age – who feels unhappy is to... write.
Setting aside even half an hour every day to put your tumbling, messy thoughts down on paper provides an instant, but lasting, pick me up. It brings clarity, positivity and joy, without the calories of those jaffa cakes.
Time to write, right?
Honestly. If you don’t do it already, you need to try it.
Just sit down in the evening and write about your day. It's pretty natural to start with something negative - a person or situation that's causing you stress.
As you write, the problem will feel lighter. Keep going and you'll notice happier thoughts spring to mind. That great thing you heard or saw today. Something kind that someone did for you.
Oh happy day
By stepping away from distractions and letting your mind lead the conversation, you’ll remember the good things in your life. You'll feel grateful and even find yourself formulating plans to fix the things making you miserable.
I swear to every one of you that writing works. I know some of you will disagree. You might think I'm making light of people's unhappiness. That saying this one solution can help everyone is naïve.
But I’m saying try it, commit to it and give it a month. And then tell me how you feel.