What Really Makes Us Happy? According to science

"What makes people happy?" Have you ever asked this to yourself ?

Is it money or a successful job, or something else?

Well, scientists have been trying to figure this out for a long time. And they've found some pretty interesting stuff.

Btw, don’t just listen to me—I've linked the research and surveys so you can see the facts yourself.

Now let’s talk about it!

What People Think Makes Them Happy

A lot of us believe that happiness comes from achieving big career goals and having lots of money. 

It’s a common idea we see everywhere—whether it's in movies, social media, or even in conversations with friends. Many people think that landing a great job or earning a lot of cash will make them really happy.

But here’s the thing: while having a successful career and financial security can definitely add to our happiness, they’re not the only things that matter.

There’s more to feeling truly happy and fulfilled in life.

That's a lot of people who think money and success will make them happy!

But Does Money Really Make Us Happy?

Here's where it gets interesting. Scientists have done a lot of studies on this:

1. In 2010, a study by Daniel Kahneman and Angus Deaton found that while higher income improved life evaluation.
   
   It did not significantly affect emotional well-being or daily happiness beyond an annual income of about $75,000. 📄
   
   
2. In 2021, Matthew Killingsworth studied 33,000 working adults in the U.S. and found that higher income was linked to greater happiness. 📄
   
   
3. In 2023, Kahneman and Killingsworth collaborated and discovered that for people who were already happy, more money could increase their happiness.
   
   However, for those who were unhappy, earning more than $75,000 a year did not lead to any additional happiness. 📄
   

So, money can make you happier, but it's not the whole story!

The Longest Study on Happiness

Now, let's talk about a really cool study. It's called the Harvard Study of Adult Development, and it's been going on for 85 years! That's longer than most people live!

Here's what makes this study special:

• It started in 1938 with 724 persons.
• They've been following these people (and later, their families) for their whole lives.
• Every two years, they ask them questions about their lives, health, and happiness.
• They even do medical tests and look at their DNA!
  
  

So what did they found?

Two big things

1. Taking care of your health is super important. Eating well, exercising, not smoking or drinking too much.
   
   All these things help you live longer and feel better.
   
   
   A Taiwanese study of 416,000 healthy individuals found that exercising just 15 minutes a day reduced mortality risk by 14% and increased life expectancy by three years. Additionally, every extra 15 minutes of exercise further decreased the risk of dying by 4%. 📄 
   
   
2. But the biggest surprise was this: Good relationships are the key to being happy and healthy!
   
   

Why Relationships Matter So Much

Let's break down 

1. They help us live longer:
   • A study looked at 148 smaller studies with over 300,000 people. They found that people with strong friendships and relationships were 50% more likely to be alive at the end of the study period! 📄
2. They keep us healthy:
   • Being married can help individuals live longer than those who are lonely. 📄
   • But remember, it's not just about being married – it's about having good relationships.
3. They protect our brains:
   • People in their 80s who had good relationships had better memory.
   • People who felt lonely had worse memory over time.
4. They help us deal with stress act as a companion:
   • When we're stressed, our bodies go into "fight or flight" mode.
   • Good relationships help us calm down faster.
   • If we're alone a lot, we might stay stressed for longer, which can make us sick. 📄
     
     

The Problem of Loneliness

Unfortunately, more and more people are feeling lonely these days!

• In the U.S., about half of all adults say they feel lonely sometimes
  
• Young people are feeling it the most
• The UK appointed a Minister for Loneliness to tackle social isolation and improve connections
• The risks of loneliness can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day or being obese
  
  

What Can We Do?

So, what's the secret to a happy life? Here are some tips I found that are common in scientific research:

1. Spend time with loved ones and connect with others, even if you're shy. Strong relationships are essential for happiness and health.
   
   
2. Engage in work that feels meaningful to you. Purposeful work leads to greater satisfaction and well-being.
   
   
3. Maintain your health by eating well, exercising, and sleeping enough. Healthy choices enhance mood and cognitive function.
   
   
4. While money helps, it’s not everything. Building quality relationships is a stronger predictor of long-term happiness than wealth or fame.

The research, especially the Harvard Study of Adult Development, shows that prioritizing relationships, meaningful work, and health over material wealth leads to better mental and physical health outcomes and a happier life overall.

💁‍♀️ Cool Fact

The Harvard study revealed that many participants believed money and achievement were key to a good life. However, the happiest individuals leaned into their relationships, proudly stating, "I was a good boss, I was a good parent, I was a good friend, I was a good mentor," without mentioning, "I made a fortune" or "I won the Nobel Prize."

So there you have it! The science shows that good relationships are super important for being happy and healthy. Why not call a friend or family member today? It might just make both of you happier!

Just Lem' me know how you define happiness in comments

Suggested sources

What The Ultimate Study on Happiness Reveals watch >>
16 scientific studies linked to happiness read >>
10 Psychology Fun Facts on Happiness read >>

Tools used

ChatGPT 4O mini - assisted me in writing
Perplexity - assisted me in finding the research papers
Google images - used for searching gifs, images