Happiness: Does More Money Do It?

Most people think that having more money will make them happy and results of surveys bears this out, but only up to a point. Defining happiness as satisfaction with one’s life and the experience of positive emotions, surveys have yielded mixed results. When contemplating satisfaction with one’s life, many compare their status and achievements with others and on that basis, people with more money generally claim more satisfaction. However, on the basis of experiencing positive emotions, or “feeling” happy, more money does not help beyond the level of basic needs.

World-Wide Survey on Happiness

According to Rob Stein, writing in the Washington Post (July 1, 2010) the results of a massive Gallup survey (2005,2006) of 136,000 people in 132 countries found that while those with money reported satisfaction in that it provides respect and control, it does not provide happiness. The article quotes Sonja Lyubomirskt, professor of psychology at the University of California, "It's really interesting that if you look at countries that are so different – from rural villagers to people living in a city like Stockholm – they are all about the same in terms of what makes people happy."

U.S Rich, But Not Happy

According to Jeanna Bryner, writing for Live Science, (U.S. is Richest Nation, But Not Happiest; July 1, 2010) comparing one nation’s happiness with another is more complex than first supposed. The two categories of happiness, life satisfaction and emotional well-being are not the same thing. So while a wealthy nation may report higher life satisfaction, they may report less emotional well-being. Thus, the United States may be the richest nation in the world, but it is not the happiest. The U.S. has the highest gross domestic product of any nation, but comes in number 16 for overall well-being and number 26 for life enjoyment.

Why Doesn’t Money Make Us Happy?

Many feel happy when they buy a new car, a new house, or even new clothes. However, the feeling of well-being soon passes. According to University of California, Riverside, psychologist  Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD, this phenomenon is called the "hedonistic treadmill," that is, seeking short-term mood boosts through purchasing goods and services. A goal of simply making more money in order to fulfill a need to boost our moods temporarily cannot therefore produce lasting happiness. John D. Rockefeller, who was a very wealthy man by any measure, was asked how much money is enough. His answer was, “Just a little bit more.”

Happiest Countries and Happiest States

According to Francesca Levy writing for Forbes Magazine (July 14, 2010,) the happiest countries according to the well-being index (a combination of life satisfaction and positive emotions) are Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Most of the least happy countries are in Africa: Togo, Burundi, Comoros, Cambodia, and Sierra Leone. The U.S. is ranked number 14. In the U.S. the happiest states are Utah, Hawaii, Wyoming, Colorado and Minnesota. The least happy states are West Virginia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, and Arkansas.

According to Positive Psychology pioneer Martin Seligman of Penn State University, such age–old advice as counting our blessings and living with a mindset of gratitude actually do make us happier. Seligman also advocates character as a component of happiness and advocates the practice of such universally-admired virtues as kindness, fairness, and courage.

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How to Be Happy:Get True Happiness

Recent findings from the research studies of positive psychology scientists are useful to anyone searching for how to be happy. The following 15 self help tools can help you feel good and succeed in your quest for true happiness.

Positive Psychology Findings

With the advent of research applying rigorous scientific studies to the question of how to be happy, positive psychologists have concluded that anyone can move toward greater happiness. These self help tools for being happier are easy to use, cost nothing, and offer benefits well beyond the effort required to implement them.

Happiness Expectations: It is unrealistic to expect continuous joy as everyone will have emotional highs and lows in their lives. Both highs and lows are temporary; scientists find that we tend to return to a natural happiness set point. Each individual's set point is not a fixed point, but a range, which is variable based on voluntary activities such as those following.

Gratitude: Each day, recall three things that occurred for which you are grateful. Savor these memories and why you appreciate them. As well, form the periodic habit of expressing gratitude to someone. If at all possible, express it in person.

Core Strengths: We are at our best, and happiest, when using our strengths. Find new ways to incorporate your strengths in daily activities.

Altruism: Generosity feels good. The giver and receiver benefit and studies show generosity is good for your health, too.

Goals: Pursue goals that are meaningful and pleasurable. The process of pursuing meaningful goals may provide more happiness than the accomplishment.

Relationships: Close, nurturing, equitable, and intimate relationships are a significant contributor to happiness, good health, and long life.

Meaning: Pursue a life of meaning, which is a personal determination; one size doesn't fit all

Learning: Grow, learn new skills, and face new challenges to maintain energy, direction, and purpose.

Go with the Flow: Engaging in activities that are challenging, meaningful, and utilize core strengths and skills results in flow, where time stands still and your focus is entirely on the task at hand. Flow activities are extremely satisfying.

Work Activities: Maximize your work satisfaction by using a variety of skills, do a complete task, and pick tasks that are significant.

Calling: The most satisfying work feels like a calling and uses strengths, is meaningful, and pleasurable.

Expressive Writing: Write about what is important in your life, what you've learned, what has shaped your life, what you value, and what you'd like to pass on to others.

Exercise: Physical exercise stimulates the production of brain chemicals producing good feelings. Exercise also strengthens the immune system and heightens one's confidence and self esteem.

Positive Reminiscence: Refrain from dwelling on negative past events; they're past. Recall and savor the positive memories you have. Play them over and over, enjoying the positive feelings the memories provide.

Forgiveness: Forgiveness is a gift to yourself, allowing you to put aside the hurt, bad memories, and negative feelings associated with recalling wrongs done to you. Holding anger and other negative feelings serves to submerse you in the negative event over and over again. Forgive to forget and move toward true happiness.

References:

Martin Seligman, Ph.D., Authentic Happiness: Free Press, 2002

Tal Ben-Shahar, Ph.D., Happier: McGraw Hill, 2007

Robert Biswas-Diener & Ben Dean, Positive Psychology Coaching: John Wiley & Sons, 2007

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