Make this lifestyle change to be happier

Happiness is somewhat subjective, so I'm always hesitant to recommend a happiness booster that can fit anyone's set of preferences — but this one seems pretty sound. According to research reported by LiveScience, quitting smoking isn't just a way to improve your health, your appearance and your smell: people who successfully abandon this bad habit are more likely to be satisfied with their lives.

Researchers looked at the quality of life of over 1,500 people who had stopped smoking. Over the long-term, people who were able to stop smoking for good were more likely to express a sense of well-being, including health, self-regard, philosophy of life and relationships.

While habits are awfully hard to break — and that first cigarette and coffee of the day, or that late-night cigarette with a couple of fingers of bourbon, might be your favourite part of the day — this study indicates that any unhappiness that results from a disruption of routine or coping strategy will be more than compensated.

So with those New Year's resolutions just around the corner, maybe it's finally time to put an end to a bad habit.