Happiness...

...brought to you by Miss Rachel Bilson

No one said getting the best out of life was going to be easy, but if Cosmo can’t help you, who can? Hollywood actress and style icon, Rachel Bilson, 26, reveals what makes her smile and what brings her down.

Happiness is…
Laughter
“One of the most important things to me is laughing, so I love watching Sex And The City with my friends.”

‘Me’ time
“Just being alone makes me happy when I’ve been busy. There’s no better way to relax than taking on a long soak in the bath with bubbles and candles, listening to Bob Dylan.”

My mum
“I speak to my mum every day. She’s a counsellor and specialised in sex therapy. She still tries to talk to me about the birds and the bees. And I’m like, ‘Mum, I just woke up. I can’t talk about sex now!’”

Childhood memories
“One of my fondest memories is a family holiday when I was about four. It was a road trip to Yellowstone National Park in a camper. I remember there were bunk beds in the van that my brother and I loved. Photos of us there still make me smile.”

The perfect date
“A fancy dinner out for a first date is nice, but not for me. I’d much prefer to stay at home, making pasta and watching a movie. My favourite old movie is The Princess Bride - and, yes, I’ve watched it with a date before.”

Unhappiness is…
Coping with loss
“I lost my grandmother a few years ago and that’s the hardest thing I’ve ever been through. I still think about it. Death is hard, but it’s a part of life and you just have to try to accept it.”

Overanalysing
“I’m one of those people who overanalyses everything to death, although I’m finally realising that it is what it is. You’re going to kill yourself if you dwell on things to long.”

Trying to park
“A pet peeve of mine is parking somewhere, only to find out there’s a spot that’s closer. When you’re walking to the store and there’s space, even it it’s just two nearer, that annoys me! I know - it’s weird.”

Sick children
“Any sick child makes me sad, so I support a charity, The Art Of Elysium, for children battling serious medical conditions. It brings plays, art projects or music workshops into hospitals. I love kids; it’s a big deal for me.”

Arguments
“Arguing with anyone upsets me. It depends on the person and the argument, but my feeling is, if you can, surrender and apologise if you’re wrong. I try to. I think life is short and you should resolve things as fast as you can. It’s no fun to be feeling that way for long.”