Feel-good celebrations

Embracing life's little pleasures and everyday moments of joy could be key to your happiness

- ALI HORSFALL

In order to get through a challenging year, we've been hunting out bargains, slashing our energy bills and cutting back on the luxuries that make us happy. The impact? Stress and low moods, with more than 70% of Brits saying that they're worrying more as a result of the cost of living*.

But what if the secret was to appreciate what we already have? 'Even in difficult times we can salvage something and still find contentment,' says psychotherapist Owen O'Kane. Similar to the soul-soothing Danish concept of hygge, the Japanese art of aramahoshi is all about being 'happy with enough' - and enjoying this simpler approach to life could be just the antidote you need. Here's the way you can embrace it.

How to practise gratitude

Find yourself complaining? Shifting your mindset to focus on the positive aspects of your day, rather than the negative, is a simple act that can have a big impact on wellbeing. Once you realise there are plenty of simple things in life to be thankful for, the more you'll tune into them, becoming a habit.

Studies show that people who consciously count their blessings and foster an attitude of gratitude are happier, less likely to suffer from depression, and are more likely to make healthier choices.