Bump some techno. Turns out there is a use for machine-gun-beat bass, other than keeping the makers of Excedrin in business. Research shows that people who are asked to listen to up-tempo music rate themselves as happier than those who are asked to listen to slow songs.

Give away some cash. A 2008 study showed that when people dole out money for gifts for friends or charitable donations, they get a big boost in happiness. So give a dollar or two to that street musician or your co-worker who's always strapped. Even if you never see the money again, you're getting back something more valuable in return.

Gaze at your signature color. Hues have a powerful effect on your mood -- yellow in particular is said to be make you cheery. Try using colorstrology.com, where you can enter your birth date and find the exact mood-morphing shade for you.

Chow on something delicious. Eating lots of fruits and veggies is proven to help you stay cooler in the heat. And we all know a cool head is a happy one. Find endorphin-boosting produce like sweet corn, heirloom tomatoes and concord grapes at a farmer's market near you.

Give a big bear hug. Being touchy-feely makes you happier. Science proves it: A Penn State study showed that people who gave five hugs per day over a month were much happier than those who kept their hands to themselves.

Soak up the sun. And not just because you look so damn good with a tan. It's the best source out there of vitamin D, which has happy-producing properties of more energy and muscle power, along with the ability to slow weight gain.

Play around like a kid. Psychologists trumpet the notion of goofing off like you did when you were younger as a way to dodge the blues. So say you're popping into the toy store for a friend's kid -- we'll be sure to look the other way when you walk out with some bouncy balls or a Super Soaker.

Pet a dog. Puppy breath: Better than Prozac? Maybe. A University of Pennsylvania study showed that after petting a friendly and familiar dog, your levels of blood pressure and muscle tension drop significantly. And the latest research has found that it even lowers levels of stress hormones in your blood in just minutes.