Shiny, happy people

HEALTH

Now that scientists can measure happiness, they can tell us exactly how to get it.

If you could get something just by striving after it, we would all be happy people. After all, there are thousands of books on how to be happier about work, relationships, one’s looks, oneself.

There are also thousands of scholarly articles and scientific studies on happiness (albeit thousands more on depression), which partly feed two specialised journals dedicated to the subject — the Journal of Positive Psychology and the Journal of Happiness Studies.

The era of “greed is good” is fading, as people find that prosperity and financial success aren’t enough. Comfortable homes, nice things to fill them with, good food and vacations don’t seem to have a lasting effect on our state of happiness. We get used to plenty very fast.

In fact, according to research led by Sonja Lyubomirsky, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, only about 10 per cent of happiness comes from such externals. Instead, she says, happiness is as much as 50 per cent genetic and 40 per cent “intentional”. So if you come from depressive stock, expect to have to fight your natural tendency towards misery all your life — with the proper use of that 40 per cent which is most directly at your discretion. That means learning to control what you do and think.

Lyubomirsky’s study, recently reported in the Los Angeles Times, tested various strategies to raise happiness levels. Before you ask how one could possibly measure such a thing, rest assured that, despite the sceptics, scientists have found a way. It does involve mapping electric impulses in the brain, but it can also be done by simply asking someone, “How happy are you, on a scale of 1-10?” The answers are apparently quite reliable!

One of Lyubomirsky’s tested strategies was: expressing gratitude. Three separate groups of volunteers were asked to express gratitude in a diary once a week, thrice a week or not at all. The first group had the greatest increase in happiness. Perhaps the three-timers were jaded by the exercise.

Other solutions she offers include being more forgiving, making the most of favourable moments, and being active in a religious organisation.

After centuries of searching, scientists and psychologists like Lyubomirsky now think the key to happiness is within our grasp, and that more than individuals, even whole societies can gain in happiness. Build on good experiences, be generous, make friends, enjoy your work, love your family.

Sounds like we knew it all along.