Mike Leigh at the premiere of Happy-Go-Lucky. Photo: Dave Hogan/Getty Images

Birds are chirping, flowers are blossoming and film-maker Mike Leigh is seeing the brighter side of life. Not yet Nuts in May, perhaps, but it must be spring.

Leigh's latest movie, Happy-Go-Lucky, is an uncharacteristically mellow comedy about a likable, yet irritating, teacher called Poppy - a movie Leigh describes as "anti-miserabilist". And truly, if Mike is managing to be happy, surely anyone can become a glass half-full type. Indeed, the good news doesn't stop there: the results of a three-decade-long survey reveals that happiness increases with age.

What is making you cheerful this Friday? Please share your recipes for happiness with us.