hap·pi·ness –noun
Yes, the definition of happiness is quite vague, and the word means various things to different people, but we all fundamentally grasp the intangible concept of happiness. We know what it is, but we cannot explain what it comprises or how to fully achieve it. I’ve always wondered if there is any science behind happiness. My research on the deep concept of happiness has yielded some interesting results.
Take wealth for instance, and all of the amazing, delightful things that money can buy. Research by a psychologist named Diener, among others, has demonstrated that once your basic needs are met, additional income does very little to raise your sense of satisfaction with your life. How about a good education? Sorry Mom and Dad, but neither a good education nor a high IQ , paves your road to happiness. What about youth? No, in fact, older people are more consistently satisfied with their lives than the young. Sunny weather? Nope, again. Although a 1998 study showed that Midwesterners think that us Californians are happier, it’s not true. The funny thing is, Californians themselves incorrectly think that they are happier than folks from other regions in the U.S.
So what really makes people happy? Religious faith seems to genuinely lift our spirits. Friends and strong relationships? YES, a resounding, yes. A 2002 study conducted at the University of Illinois by Diener and Seligman found that the most prominent characteristics shared by the 10% of students with the highest levels of happiness and the fewest signs of depression were their strong ties to friends and family and commitment to spending time with them.
The bottom line seems to be that your spiritual health deeply affects your emotional satisfaction in life and your personal relationships are a meaningful way to invest in your happiness.
To measure your own satisfaction with life, try using the Satisfaction with Life Scale: http://www.meaningandhappiness.com/life-satisfaction-measure-yours/63/