How to be happy
The answer, it seems, is turn 46 years old:
For the past 10 years, I have been studying happiness around the world, in countries as different as Afghanistan, Chile and the United States. It has been an amazing foray into the complexity of the human psyche and the simplicity of what makes us happy. What is most remarkable is how similar the forces driving happiness are in various countries, regardless of a nation's level of development.
Wherever I look, some simple patterns hold: A stable marriage, good health and enough (but not too much) income are good for happiness. Unemployment, divorce and economic instability are terrible for it. On average, happier people are also healthier, with the causal arrows probably pointing in both directions. Finally, age and happiness have a consistent U-shaped relationship, with the turning point in the mid- to late-40s, when happiness begins to increase, as long as health and domestic partnerships stay sound.
Also, avoid uncertainty. More here.
By
Ezra Klein
|
January 4, 2010; 12:30 PM ET
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Posted by: jkaren | January 4, 2010 12:56 PM | Report abuse
Look at Maslows' Hierarchy. Excellent layout of needs fullfilment as an indicator of satisfaction (happiness).
Posted by: BertEisenstein | January 4, 2010 2:27 PM | Report abuse
"The answer, it seems, is turn 46 years old."
The way I read this is that being 46 is the bottom of the U. Things are better when you're younger than 46 and when you're older than 46. So just think, your happiness will steadily decline over the next 20 years! Have fun!
Posted by: ostap666 | January 4, 2010 2:54 PM | Report abuse
Wonderful comment, jkaren.
Posted by: dpurp | January 4, 2010 9:08 PM | Report abuse
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i recently moved into a retirement community....and i have never, anywhere, met a group of people as grounded and grateful and determined to live life to the fullest as the people here.
i dont know if one can extrapolate....but i went to a dance, and there were men and women up to 100 years old..dancing!
it is not what i thought it would be.
i think the happiness here is about a sense of connection. about not feeling isolated, scared and alone. about believing that people appreciate and look out for you and care about you.
there is a ski trip for people in their eighties here, and they are in good shape and positive and excited!
and they recycle, and vote and filled the rescue mission food bins and really care about their grandchildren and the world they are leaving to them.
many of these people...almost all, have suffered tragedies, loss, many are entirely alone... and in chronic pain. they have lost their parents, their spouses, their homes and their children may or may not have an interest in their lives...but feeling a part of the community, being grateful to be still alive....they support one another and find meaning in their lives.
they paint beautiful paintings, they walk their dogs by the stream...they inhale life and rejoice in the smallest of things.
i am continually inspired by their bravery and serenity.
i was at a christmas party with a 98 year old woman, and i asked her how she got through a lifetime of loss and trials...
she smiled at me, and laughed, and in a beautiful southern accent...she said,
"keep your sense of humor, darling."
i watch these people on the dance floor....smiling and holding each other and delighting in life...and it brings tears to my eyes.
recently, i read a beautiful line.
that the most important thing for a human being, is to feel appreciated.
appreciation and gratitude = happiness.
there are lessons to be learned from those who have gone through this journey which is not for the faint of heart,and still continue to smile and dance and keep a song in their heart.