LESS BUCKS...MORE FIZZ! A REAL FESTIVE TREAT!

With Christmas just around the corner The Happy Zone has been looking at fun festive stuff that makes us happy and decided to share this particular event with all our readers. Now, one of the things that makes us happiest and can bring us up even if we're feeling low is listening to music and one of our all time favourite pop bands from the eighties were the Eurovision winners and number one chart toppers Bucks Fizz! Well, original band members Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and Jay Aston are back with a brand new album and a special treat for their fans - an intimate evening with a Bucks Fizz/wine reception, a special screening of a film featuring exclusive Bucks Fizz concert footage from the early days and a Q & A session with Cheryl, Mike and Jay themselves! 

This exclusive one-off event takes place at The Jury's Inn, Croydon on Wednesday 12th December from 7:30pm and tickets are available here. 

Now going under the name The OBF (The Original Bucks Fizz) their new album is titled Fame and Fortune? and can be pre-ordered from their fan club. Details can be found on Cheryl Baker's website! Keep an eye out for The Happy Zone's review of this excellent new cd coming soon...

Useful links:

Cheryl Baker website
TheOBF @Twitter
Cheryl Baker @Twitter
Mike Nolan @Twitter
Jay Aston @Twitter
WeLuvPop @Twitter
Cheryl, Mike & Jay Facebook Page
The Original Bucks Fizz
A Festive Evening With Cheryl, Mike & Jay
Bucks Fizz

HERE'S AN IDEA...

3 More Good Things!

We at The Happy Zone recently shared with you all one of the ways in which we cheer ourselves up on those miserable rainy days. Just think of three good, positive things that happened to you today or three good things you have done for others - as long as they are three happy things that have made you smile!

We want you to share your three good things with the world, so why not go ahead and Tweet your three things along with the hashtags #3goodthings and #happyzone or place a comment in the comment box below. You can follow us on Twitter @happyzoneblog or even on Facebook.

Our #3goodthings today:

• Orange flavoured raisins!
• Eighties classic The Stuff on The Horror Channel.
• New trainers!

3 Good Things!

Even when things seem at their most miserable, we at the Happy Zone always try and cheer ourselves up by looking on the bright side. On my way home from hospital today it was cold, windy and teaming down with rain. I was disgruntled after my consultation with the doctor, my umbrella kept blowing inside out and the hole in my shoe was letting in the rain.

So when I got home, instead of allowing myself to fall into a deep depression, I decided to do what I sometimes do when feeling low. I made myself think of three good, positive things that had happened today. They could be things that I had done, or other people had done or just something happy I'd heard on the news but I tell you what - it wasn't even that difficult! If you really think about it you can always find good, happy things occuring around you each and every day.

Why don't you try it? Let us know what 3 good things happened to you today! If you're on Twitter just tweet your three positive things with the hashtags #3goodthings and #happyzone and share your happy thoughts with the world! You can also comment below or on our Facebook Page.

For the record, here are my 3 good things :

• Work finally sorted out all the mistakes they'd made with my salary over the last few months and that definately brought a smile to my face when I read my payslip.
• I have been craving Nestle Walnut Whips (delicious chocolate candy!) but couldn't find any in all the stores I searched in yesterday - but today I found one, bought one and thoroughly enjoyed it.
• I received a really really sweet email from one of my favourite actresses, the lovely yummy mummy Emily Booth!

Crazy But Cool Ideas!

Sometimes at The Happy Zone we just like to chew the fat and come up with all manner of cute but crazy ideas and schemes that we think would benefit the world - or at least the UK (as that's where we're based)!

So we came up with this grand idea which we think everyone should start promoting and supporting ASAP! Let's all start planting lavender bushes and chamomile flowers in every available space throughout the UK; in gardens, parks, high streets, factories, schools, parks, disused land...everywhere you could possibly think of! The soothing and relaxing aromas and properties of these two plants would soon chill everyone out so much that the crime rate will go down and people will start being more relaxed and nicer to each other.

You think it's crazy? Well we won't know until we try it! Not only will everyone feel more relaxed, it will be great for the environment and could be part-funded by a specially set up charity and the National or Health Lotteries!

Got any wild and crazy ideas that would benefit society and make the world a better place? Drop us an email, comment below or visit our Facebook Page. Or you could tweet us with your cool ideas! You can find us @happyzoneblog.

IT'S.........FUNNY FRIDAY!!!!

Aaaaaw poor kid! Another cartoon offering to make you smile on Funny Friday! Feel free to submit your jokes, cartoons and things that make you smile! Stay happy!

NEW FRIDAY FUNNY!!!

As usual we thought we'd keep you amused and help you to forget about the riots and the bad stuff with our Friday Funny! Have a great weekend!!



5 POSITIVE THINGS TO DO TODAY!

OK so the weather's awful and it seems like the summer is over before it's even begun, but lets not get gloomy and depressed about it! There are loads of ways we can make ourselves and others feel better even when the skies are grey. Here are five positive things that you can do today. Can you think of any more?

1. Perform a random act of kindness - if you have any neighbours who are old and on their own, pop round and see if they need anything. Or help a mother with their baby buggy if they're trying to get on or off the bus. You know the kind of thing!
2. Meditate - A short 10 minute meditation daily can do you the world of good. It's quick and easy and is totally free!!
3. Smile at a stranger - Yes, they may think you're mad but then again maybe it'll make their day! Just do it and spread the happiness!
4. Recycle - If you don't do this already then start doing it today. It's a great way to make yourself feel good especially when you know it's helping the environment.
5. Listen to music - Put on a couple of your favourite tracks or a cd that makes you happy and chill out for half an hour. You could even sing along!

Let us know of any positive things you've done recently. What makes YOU happy? And don't forget you can follow The Happy Zone on Facebook too!

WHAT MAKES A HAPPY MAN? Special Guest Post From Pete Shorney

When I was asked to write for The Happy Zone, I really wasn't sure how to approach it.  The idea was to perhaps talk about what makes me happy.  While I think that would be good to talk about those little pleasures in life, it might not relate to anyone else.  So I took a step back from that, and thought about what makes me a happy man in general.

I thought back to when I wasn't so happy.  It was a few years ago now.  I don't want to go on about the details, but it involved a broken relationship, an enforced change of address and a painfully soul destroying job.  I didn't want to end it all, but I didn't exactly mind if I didn't wake up the next day.  When I think of those that have suffered with serious illness, or worse, seems a bit facile to make such a big deal of it, doesn't it?  Well, that's the loss of perspective for you.

So why the change?  Thanks to slight adjustments in my outlook, my life changed shape.  The first thing I did was really try for a job that would be a great step up for me.  Not financially, but in the way it was more 'right'.  I gunned for the job.  I chased them up every other day.  That's something I've never done before.  This resulted in something that was right for me, and in perhaps an over-dramatic sense, I fought for.  Fortunately, it's worked out well and has been really rewarding.

The second thing was the adjusting to being single, and missing someone terribly.  It's frustrating as an adult, because you just want to snap out of it.  And over some time, I did.  It was no longer important if I was in a relationship or not, and I got to know myself a lot better.  Is there a secret to that?  Aside from the old adage, “time heals,” there actually is. 

Stop comparing yourself to others.

This is true of anything in life, but it certainly clears away the clutter of negative feelings.  They have a house.  They've met someone good.  They have a nice car.  They have kids...  Have “They”?  Good for them.  Now take all that stuff out of the equation.  You're left with who you are, and what makes up your life.

Without all that interference the important people come into sharper focus.  These loved ones, whether friends or family, are reflected in you.  These are the real foundations, and these foundations will support you.  If you're a bit lost, talk to them.  And if they give you advice, don't just assume everything's beyond your reach.  It's sometimes best to just listen, and use the discussions to think about the future.  No one can regroup without a battle plan.

Don't get me wrong, it's not easy to do this, and bend your mind around a different way of thinking.  I'm not a paragon of aspirational thinking!  But just clearing your thoughts from all all that comparing helped a heck of a lot.  I can say that I am a much happier man because of it.

       

FRIDAY FUNNY ! SMILE AND BE HAPPY!

Hope you enjoyed this Friday's cartoon! Don't forget to share with us anything that makes YOU smile! Have a great weekend!!!

Fab Places That Make You Happy!

I was having a think the other day about the aims of this blog. The main thing is that I want this to be a happy, positive place that you can come to if you need cheering up, are sick of reading only bad news or want some tips on how to keep happy and healthy. 
But another of our aims is to share the good stuff around. We want to promote cool small businesses and independent shops, tell you about any great special offers, money saving vouchers and fabulous places you can visit if you have a day, weekend or week off! 
The Happy Zone also wants you to share your money saving tips, health advice, good causes and positive stories that make you happy!

So today I thought I'd big up Brighton; or to be more precise, my favourite part of Brighton, The North Laines. This is an area full to bursting with cool independent shops, funky cafes,laid-back bars and the friendliest pubs in town. For those not in the know, Brighton is down on the East Sussex coast in the UK, just an hour away from London. Check out the North Laine Brighton website and discover just what you've been missing!

FRIDAY FUNNY!!!!

We here at The Happy Zone hope you've all had a good week. Here's something to make you smile. If you have any jokes or cartoons you'd like to share then don't hesitate to contact us. Have a great weekend!

FIVE EASY WAYS TO BE HAPPIER

We all have days when we feel like we can't get out of bed and that the whole world is against us. These feelings can drag us down and make us depressed and miserable. But there are some simple ways and means that can help lift our spirits and even help prevent depression - yes, even during the miserable Winter months!

• Exercise - Numerous studies have shown proof that regular exercise is one of the best ways to beat those blues. Just 30 minutes a day could make all the difference! An easy way could be walking to work.
• Food - Stop eating the junk, cut out refined foods, sweets and fizzy drinks. Replace these with fresh fruit and veg every day as well as oily fish (like mackerel) 3 times a week.
• EFT - This stands for Emotional Freedom Techniques and is a form of alternative psychotherapy that uses tapping on acupuncture points as a means of tackling many emotional and physical problems. Once you've mastered the technique, a round of "tapping" takes just a couple of minutes and can help lift your mood.
• Friends - Another tried and tested way of lifting your mood is to spend some quality fun time with friends - grab some mates and go for a walk and a chat; you'll be amazed at how much this can make you feel happier in no time!
• Treat Yourself! - Sometimes just a short quick fix is enough to make yourself feel better so why not treat yourself to your favourite healthy snack, a book or cd that you've been desperate to own for ages or an Indian head massage. 

What do YOU do to make yourself feel happier? Tweet or email us with your tips and positive stories or share your views on our Facebook Page!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year everyone! 2010 was a tough year for many of us but here at 'The Happy Zone' we are looking forward to the coming year and want to help make this a happy and healthy twelve months for all of us!

We'll be looking at various self-help techniques, EFT, exercise, healthy eating, money-saving tips and offers, positive stories from around the world and much, much more!

Sometimes we'll just publish a happy picture, a joke or any good news we get to hear; anything to make our lives just a little brighter each and every day!

If you have anything happy and positive you'd like to share with 'The Happy Zone' just email us at happyzoneblog@yahoo.co.uk

Don't forget you can also follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/Happyzoneblog