Every year, pollsters ask the world how it is feeling. Since 2006, Gallup has quizzed adults in 142 countries and found a global rise in unhappiness.¹

Could Aristotle help? The ancient Greek philosopher offered a clear guide to a happier life:

1. Face your fears. Aristotle said courage will help us overcome them. And evidence shows this makes us more resilientTough or able to cope with difficulty. and happier.²

2. Control your desires. Pleasure is not the same as happiness, and too much can make us unhappy. Research shows that we are happier when we control our urges and appetites.³

3. Don't be stingy. But also do not be a spendthrift. Charles Dickens may be a good guide: Scrooge in A Christmas Carol holds onto his money. Pip in Great Expectations gives it all away. Both end up miserable. The solution lies in between.

4. Give generously. Evidence suggests charitable giving makes us happier.⁴

5. Focus on meaning. Instead of spending time on trivial thrills, engage in activities with a sense of purpose. Studies say this will improve well-being.⁵

6. Be gentle. Anger will not make you happy. World religions teach us to "love our enemies", and science suggests we will be happier for it.⁶

7. Never lie. Especially to yourself. Aristotle believed we should be neither boastful nor overly self-critical. Research indicates both extremes are linked to low mood. Instead, be honest and "know thyself".⁷

8. Don't focus on rules. Sometimes be "content", wrote Aristotle, with less than your fair share. Embrace the "spirit" rather than the "letter" of the law.⁸

9. Forgive others. There is overwhelming evidence that letting go of grievancesThings that you want to complain about. and forgiving faults will make us happier in the long run.

10. Don't do bad things. Enjoy pleasures in moderation, but avoid vicesMoral faults or weaknesses in someone's character. entirely. If you think gambling is wrong, you will be much happier when you resist the temptation.

Ancient wisdom for well-being - but there is a catch. Aristotle said happiness is not something you find. He called it eudaemonia, the "good spirit" that finds you. It is not life's destination, but something we experience when we live life fully.

Yes: Most things in life are beyond our control. We must prepare to be disappointed if we aim always to be content. Far better to live a rich and purposeful life, with all its struggles and suffering.

No: The problem today is we do not prioritise happiness. We waste time chasing success, wealth and instant gratification. We need to stop and think about what is really important.

Or... We cannot agree on what we mean by happiness. For some, it is the journey, and for others, the destination. So perhaps there is no foolproof guide and we all must figure it out for ourselves?