But probably the most important driver of the happiness movement is the powerful mood of moral disorientation that prevails in Western societies. Western culture finds it difficult to give meaning to everyday experience through a language that clarifies what is good and bad or right and wrong. Such a mood of disorientation continually creates a demand for meaning. Layard understands this, which is why he says: "Clearly, I am talking about a movement of moral reform."

Have a problem? Sleep on it. Want to have harmonious relations, get rid of mood swings, anger, tunnel vision, and improve problem solving, memory and learning by at least 20 percent, think faster, react quicker, decrease accidents and hyperactivity? Sleep at least 7

Haidt believes Buddhism goes further than trying to pacify the chaotic mind. As a philosophy of life, it is based on "an overreaction, even an error," he says. To understand why, you have to understand the life of the Buddha.

Happiness is in our hands if only we could make the right decisions in life. Decisions often rely on making accurate predictions of how we will feel in the future. Unfortunately for us psychologists have shown that there are five major biases in the way we predict our future emotional states.

In the next hour, check off as many of the following items as possible. Each of these accomplishments will lift your mood, as will the mere fact that you

A study of nearly 1,000 pairs of identical and non-identical twins found genes control half the personality traits that make people happy while factors such as relationships, health and careers are responsible for the rest of our well-being.

The push for ever-greater well-being is facing a backlash, fueled by research on the value of sadness.