The borderline depressed people in the group struggle with it, especially young Ben who has big dreams but is rather hampered by everyday life. He's not good with money, bless him.
The next happiness test is getting each of the group to do random acts of kindness, the idea being this will stop you thinking about yourself and your troubles. There's a touching bit where Liz, still grieving after losing her mother nine years ago, gives a bunch of flowers to a lovely motherly woman.
I drop off some pumpkin soup to a friend with a cold.
Food, sleep and exercise consultant Anna-Louise, who reminds me of a younger, bossier Alison Holst, takes Cade grocery shopping and he admits to a truly appalling diet of chocolate bars, chocolate drinks and pizza. Makes me feel so healthy and virtuous. She gets him out walking his dog - exercise generates endorphins and all that. All the group sleep badly and are sedentary, so let that be a lesson. Feel smug about my gym.
Lastly, mindfulness coach Dr Russ Harris gets together four of the group, pairs them off and asks them to tell each other about a sad moment in their lives. "Anger-issues Tony" as I like to call him has found out his dog has cancer and is grief-stricken.
Russ tells the group to embrace these moments of grief, not be ashamed of them. As one who enjoys a good sob every now and again, I agree. Crying always gives me a hell of an appetite and a zest for life.
The most interesting fact for me to come out of the programme is that your feelings of happiness are explained 50 per cent by genetics, 10 per cent by life circumstances, and 40 per cent is on the choices we make.
Although the expert team see that 40 per cent as somewhere they can make a difference, I'm highly struck by the 50 per cent genetics bit. As one who lives with two Eeyores, it all becomes clear.
Next week:
I'm going along to an evening with Nigel Latta where I learn about how to teach my teen to drive, with the ultimate aim of everyone staying alive.
