I am fascinated by academic studies of human happiness, because they bring scientific rigor to issues we all grapple with. We think more money will make us happier and yet studies suggest Americans are no more satisfied than they were three decades ago, when the standard of living was much lower.
So if winning the lottery won"t do the trick, what will? Here are seven key lessons from happiness research. It is indeed possible to boost our happiness -- but it"ll take more than a fat wallet.
1 What matters is what we focus on.
Those with higher incomes aren"t necessarily happier. But when asked how satisfied they are with their lives, high earners are more likely to say they"re happy.
Why? The question makes them ponder their position in society -- and they realize they"re pretty lucky. The implication: If you have a hefty portfolio or hefty paycheck, you can probably bolster your happiness by regularly contemplating your good fortune.
Meanwhile, if you are less well off, avoid situations where you feel deprived -- and seek out those where comparisons are in your favor. Rather than buying the cheapest house in a wealthy neighborhood, settle for a town where people have similar salaries. When you think about your net worth, forget your well-heeled sister and focus on your cash-strapped brother.
2 Don"t go it alone.
Studies have found that married folks are happier than those who are single.
"Marriage provides two sources of happiness," says Andrew Oswald, an economics professor at England"s Warwick University. "One is sex and the other is friendship. Marriage has one of the largest impacts on human well-being."
Similarly, spending time with friends can boost happiness. Studies indicate that commuting is one of life"s least enjoyable activities, that looking after the kids is more of a struggle than we like to admit and that eating is one of life"s great pleasures.
But all of these things can be enhanced by adding friends. Commuting with others will make the trip less grim, playing with the kids will be more fun if there"s another adult along and eating with others is better than eating alone.
3 We like to feel secure.
Midlife is a period of relative unhappiness. This dissatisfaction may stem from the lack of control felt by those in their 40s, as they juggle raising children and the demands of work.
By contrast, employees in senior positions, retirees and those with good job security often report being happy. One explanation: They have greater control over their daily lives.
"There"s a profound link between insecurities of all kinds and human well-being," Prof. Oswald notes. "Supervisors are happier than those who are supervised. Job loss is an enormous negative and job security is an enormous plus to mental health."
