Are you looking for a way to make the workplace more enjoyable? If so, you might want to consider getting some happiness coaching. According to the Wall Street Journal, coaching involves teaching people how to shake off their dark moods through medication, by expressing gratitude or by using other happiness-inducing techniques.

If you haven’t already heard of happiness coaching, chances are good that you will be hearing about it soon. In fact, happiness coaching is quickly finding its way into the workplace and has been embraced by major companies such as American Express. Although the exact methods of happiness coaching my differ somewhat from one employer to the next, the goal is always the same – to inspire employees to have a more positive attitude.

Of course, not everyone is on the happiness bandwagon. Critics of the coaching say it is just one more way for companies to try to improve morale while continually burdening their employees with more and more work. According to author Barbara Ehrenreich, who wrote the book “Bright-sided,” the training also encourages employees to avoid confronting the serious problems they are facing in the workplace and with the economy.

Whether you are for or against the happiness training, one thing is for sure – most workers can stand to use a little cheering up. According to Conference Board’s annual survey, employee satisfaction reached its lowest level in the 22 years the survey has been being conducted. In 1987, 61% of workers reported being satisfied with their jobs. This figure fell to 52% in 2005 and then to 45% in 2009.

There are also good reasons for employers to strive to improve employee morale. According to a study of 60 business teams that was conducted by the American Behavioral Scientists in 2004, those teams with the happiest attitudes had a better customer satisfaction rating and earned higher profits. In a separate study conducted by the University of Michigan in 2001, people who feel joyful are able to think more creatively and broadly than those with negative emotions. A 2005 survey completed by the Psychological Bulletin found that happier people receive more positive evaluations from their bosses and miss work less frequently.

To help employees and employers reap the benefits of happiness, happiness coaches are taking it beyond the traditional approaches. Some tactics they are recommending to help improve happiness levels include:

· Send an email to your co-workers thanking them for something they have done for you
· Meditate every day
· Do something for someone else without expecting anything in return
· Keep a journal in which you write the things you are thankful for
· Look for the positive traits in others and compliment them for those traits
· Focus on the aspects of your work that you can control
· Remain open to the possibility of experiencing positive outcomes