Make sure your day's plans give you plenty of chances to engage in simple social interactions.

Researchers recently utilized a new information gathering technique called the Day Reconstruction Method to try to figure out what makes people happiest. Simple social interactions with other people were often recalled as the most enjoyable experiences of the day.

Leading a balanced life is important for both your physical and emotional health. No matter what your schedule is like, take some time everyday to participate in activities you find relaxing and pleasurable, such as spending time with family and friends, reading, watching television, or going for walks outside. Don't save it all up for the weekend. Make the weekdays brighter by planning a mid-week social gathering or outing with a friend.

A survey method for characterizing daily life experience: the day reconstruction method. Kahneman, D., Krueger, A. B., Schkade, D. A., Schwarz, N., Stone, A. A., Science 2004 Dec 3;306(5702):1776-1780.