Pay it forward

Good to see the concept of paying it forward taking off. An innovative broadband company has, apparently, recruited ex-pickpockets to creep around London and slip fivers, tenners and twenty pound notes into people’s unguarded bags and pockets. It’s their way of helping people beat the blues caused by the recession.

Yet psychological research shows that it’ll be the ones giving away the money who get the biggest boost in their happiness.

In one study in the US, students were given $10 each, then half were told to buy themselves something and the other half to spend it one somebody else. Their happiness levels were measured before and after. The group who’d spent the money on another person were happier than those who’d spent it on themselves.

So if you want to cheer yourself up, Do Something Different and spend some money on another person.