What benefits could we see from doing this?

Life can be super stressful at times, so ignoring this fact and trying to force yourself to be happy will simply not work. Research shows that negative emotions outweigh positive ones at a ratio of 3:1 so making a conscious effort to increase our positive experiences, being kinder to yourself and finding joy during your day goes some way to at least maintain or hopefully tip the happiness balance. Being consciously aware and therefore avoiding or stopping the things that don’t light you up can also really help.

What are some common pitfalls of your One Good Thing? How can we avoid them?

Dismissing the activity because you don’t have time, or thinking it is going to cost a lot of money, or you simply don’t have the energy. Devoting some time to do something that makes you feel good doesn’t have to feel like a military operation, it can squeeze into the nooks and crannies of your day. Think going for a walk, cooking your favourite meal, having a nap, eating breakfast in bed, or a long overdue catching up with your bestie, as long as it is something that is meaningful to you and evokes positive emotions.

One Good Thing: why it’s well worth consciously creating opportunities for joy