Yes — it’s the election! Four weeks of battle buses, election posters, newspaper polls, photo opps and manifestos to look forward to.

If that’s enough to make you want to leave the country now, here’s a thought. The economy may be in dire straits, and our trust in politicians may have been pushed to the limit by the expenses scandal, but, apparently, politics can make us happy. No, really. While we’ve all been striving to improve our own happiness by looking inwards, researchers examining the wider picture have found that our external environment has a  big impact too — and that democratic societies such as the UK are the best for promoting happiness.

Simply having the right to vote is something we value, making us happier than those who live in countries with less political freedom — even if we don’t intend to go to the polling booths on 6 May. And in countries such as Switzerland, where citizens have still greater political autonomy and involvement, levels of happiness are even higher. So perhaps we should embrace this election, even grudgingly. And be thankful that we don’t have to spend the next four weeks on a battle bus. For a sneak preview of life on the campaign trail, an insight into Vince Cable’s turning point and the real reasons we’re so interested in politicians’ wives, read the May 2010 issue of Psychologies, on sale now.