Remember that? It was a number one single by Bobby McFerrin back in September 1988 and also won ‘Best song of the Year’ at the 1989 Grammy awards.

Sung ‘a capella’ (no instruments), the song has a very catchy and simple message: Don’t worry about lifes ups and downs, just smile, be happy to everyone and life will sort itself out.

Happiness is found in everyone. Living a happy, resilient and optimistic life is a wonderful thing and can help you stay around longer. As a significant by-product it’s also good for your health.

Being happy actually protects you from the stresses of life, and as we all know stress is linked to many causes of early death, such as heart disease, cancer and strokes.

To be happy is relatively easy: just decide to be a happy person. Abraham Lincoln observed that most people for most of the time can choose how happy or stressed, how relaxed or troubled, or how bright or dull their outlook should be. So the answer is simple really…

Just choose to be happy!

There are several ways you can do this. Being grateful is a great attitude, we have so much to be thankful for. Thank the taxi driver for bringing you home safely, thank the cook for a wonderful dinner and thank the guy who emptys your dustbins (trash cans).

While you’re at it why not thank the mailman for bringing you your post, thank the policeman for keeping you safe and thank your chosen Superior Being for being alive.

Avoid the news, news is stressful. Get less of it. Some people just can’t seem to start their day without their daily dose of news. When you think about it, most of the news we hear or read is bad, bad, bad. Starting the day with bad news does not seem to be a very sensible thing to do, does it?

Laugh, and laugh heartily, everyday. Heard a good joke? Tell it to your friends and family. There’s truth in that old saying, ‘Laughter is the best medicine’.

Express your feelings, affections, friendship and passion to people around you. They will most likely reciprocate your actions. Social networks or relationships are essential to happiness but people are different, accept them for who they are.

Avoid exposure to negative elements and people who drag you down.

Avoid clashes and arguments, and let go of your resentments. Try not to keep anger and pent-up frustrations bottled in, this is bad for your health.

Instead find ways of expressing them in a way that will not cause more injury or hurt to anyone. If arguments seem unavoidable try to make an effort to understand the other person’s point of view. I know it’s hard but you’ll feel better for it.

Expand your knowledge. Learning is a satisfying and joyful experience. Try and learn something new everyday. Learning also broadens our horizons which can lead to more opportunities in the future.

Take regular exercise. Run, jog, walk and do other things that your body was made for. Get out there and feel alive.

And always remember that quote from Abraham Lincoln: “Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

These are just a few of the simple things you can do everyday to be happy. It’s your life and your choice but if you just do them you will feel the difference.

And it will make your life, and the lives of those around you, infinitely better.