Everywhere you look this time of year, we are bombarded with ubiquitous ads offering; better,healthier, fitter and happier you.

World leaders engage in petty squabbles, seemingly careless of the perils of climate changes; in Ireland, homelessness is at crisis point. All we can do is be neighbourly: volunteer in our communities and reach out to others, writes Joyce Fegan

Happiness. One simple word, yet an infinitude of meaning. The pursuit of which is a relatively modern phenomenon. It is indescribable. And yet, its absence can drive us to despair, writes Richard Hogan.

Sharon Ní Chonchúir looks at how we can be happier

Joyce Fegan meets Meik Wiking who has written a guide on how to raise our level of happiness

Albert Einstein's formula for a happy life was sold for $1.3 million (€1.1 million) at an auction in Jerusalem.

Attributes such as optimism and emotional stability can lead to a better quality of life in our later years, says Margaret Jennings.

A successful and wealthy Google engineer had little joy in his life so he set out to formulate an equation for happiness, writes Helen O’Callaghan.

Want to know the secret to a happy, life-long relationship? It’s simple – just be kind. Áilín Quinlan meets the Bensons, happily married for 30 years and counting.

An expert ponders the findings while a Dutch family in Clare say they won’t be heading home any time soon, writes Arlene Harris.

Colette Sheridan talks to the author of a new book who wants you search for contentment in everyday things.

Method helps young people focus on getting happy, says Ailin Quinlan

Publishers and trend predictors believe hygge will be the next big thing – but this is more than just another buzz word, says Vickie Maye.

People’s happiness levels typically dip when they reach their 40s — but then start to climb again by the age of 50 and into retirement, a report in Britain has found.

Finally it is official - money CANNOT buy you happiness.

With Christmas coming there seems to be a return to consumerism – that’s all we need to make us happy. But, are we missing the trick? asks Fergus Finlay

Plenty of Irish people may be unhappy with their financial situation, but we are among the most educated; we consider ourselves very healthy; and our satisfaction with our lot seems to improve as we get older.

Young people are happier and healthier than a decade ago but social inequalities are impacting more on poorer adolescents’ health, research has found.

Posting a positive status update on Facebook could help spread happiness amongst your friends, according to new research.