Happiness flash!

CEBU, Philippines - Great escape. When you’re looking to leave your worries behind, try running to the hills. 88 percent of outdoor enthusiasts claim being in nature helps ease day-to-day pressures. Not near a park? A stroll around the block works equally well.

Everyone’s a skeptic. If you’re plagued by doubt, take it as a good sign. People tend to be optimistic when odds are in their favor and more pessimistic when the opposite is true. It seems these perceptions cushion us from disappointment and provide hope when we’re in dire straits.

Healthy hugs. Women who watch romantic flicks while nestled in their honey’s arms experience a 25 percent surge in the feel-good hormone oxytocin (men aren’t affected). A rise in oxytocin is linked to lower blood pressure.

Vise squad. In an experiment involving vise-squeezed fingers, both sexes took longer to say uncle when a woman inflicted the pain. Most don’t see gentler sex as a threat (clearly they’ve never had a bikini wax)

Sound advice. The secret to beating job burnout is… beating a drum? Could be. Workers who took part in a weekly drum circle for six weeks felt calmer and were less likely to quit after a year than non-drummers. A shared musical experience boosts colleagues’ bonds. Let’s hope karaoke nights count.

E-fail. When you want to strike a deal, bargain by phone first; you’re four times likelier to reach an accord than if you haggle via e-mail alone. It’s tough to read social cues online, no matter how many emoticons you use.

Feel the love. Aren’t we mushy! 73 percent of the population say “I love you” every day. You don’t need to spread warm fuzzies. Share the sentiment with your parents, your pals, even your pooch, and you’re bound to receive love in spades.