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The Happiness Plan with Sarah Treleaven and
Astrid Van Den Broek

Making everyday extraordinary

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What do your purchases say about how happy you are?
  • Sat Apr 07 2012
  • Sarah Treleaven
shopping

According to a recent study reported by Tim Murphy in The New York Times - I Buy, Therefore I Am (Unless I Return It) - how you spend your money says a lot about how happy you are with your life. The study, by San Francisco State University, found that people who spend their money on experiences, including pricey meals and trips to Mexico City, are more extroverted, more adventurous and happier than those who spend their money on material things, like an expensive pair of red-soled shoes or a new couch for the living room. The study even found that experiential buyers are more likable and have less anxiety than people who spend their money on pretty things. Experiential buyers were also perceived as more charismatic than materialistic... What do your purchases say about how happy you are? »

To be happier, do this with your lunch break
  • Thu Mar 08 2012
  • Sarah Treleaven
friends eating lunch, diner, black and white They say that money can't buy happiness—and that's partially true—but there is one little thing you can do with your dollars that might give your day a boost: Treat a friend to lunch. ...more
My four happiness resolutions for 2012
  • Mon Jan 02 2012
  • Sarah Treleaven
new year I think one of the reasons that people have such a tough time keeping resolutions is because they make resolutions they don't want to keep. ...more
How your connection with food can make you happier
  • Tue Dec 06 2011
  • Sarah Treleaven
farm How much attention do you pay to what you put in your body, and do you think it has any impact on your happiness? ...more
Do you use food to make you happy?
  • Wed Nov 16 2011
  • Sarah Treleaven
food Lots of people use all kinds of things to self-medicate, of course, and food is a pretty common choice. ...more
Why I'm happy with a few extra pounds
  • Mon Sep 26 2011
  • Sarah Treleaven
baguette I'm in Paris, which makes me happy for all kinds of obvious reasons. It's lovely to be in a place where you're surrounded by beauty. ...more
How to be happy during a heat wave
  • Fri Jul 22 2011
  • Sarah Treleaven
hot This week in Toronto, the temperature has consistently been in the 30s — and, once you factor in the humidex, the 40s. While that level of heat might sound like misery to some, I'm having a pretty great time. So why is the heat wave making me so happy? ...more
Five summer things that make me happy
  • Mon Jun 20 2011
  • Sarah Treleaven
summer In honour of tomorrow being the first day of summer, I have compiled a list of things that I love but usually only have access to during the summer months — just in case we're not all excited enough about the impending heat. ...more
Love, life and what I ate
  • Mon Dec 20 2010
  • Sarah Treleaven
Love, life and what I ate A recent trip to Hong Kong made this food lover realize how much there still is to try, from snake stew to steamed gizzard. ...more
Do you always celebrate with food?
  • Thu Nov 04 2010
  • Astrid Van Den Broek
Do you always celebrate with food? When I landed my first job, my boyfriend and I went out for Chinese food. My engagement? A meal of mussels and wine. ...more
 
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