Unlocking the 7 Secrets to Lasting Happiness…
Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
What truly makes us happy?
Is it money, work, health, or perhaps something more profound?
A groundbreaking breaking study from Canada sheds light on the ultimate keys to happiness, revealing that while various factors play a role, family and community are paramount.
How the study was conducted
The study, led by Dr. James Chowhan, examined the happiness levels of over 12,000 humans in Canada aged 25 to 64, encompassing both working and non-working adults.
Contrary to common beliefs, the research found that while income, work, health, and social class influence happiness, the quality of one's closest relationships significantly impacts overall life satisfaction.
Dr. Chowhan emphasizes, "Often in the literature, we see income is really important, or your work is really important, but it was really these family social factors that had the higher magnitudes of importance. In our study, we found that work gets a low value relative to family and social outcomes. It’s not that all aspects of work rated poorly, but overall family and community dominated."
The study's findings highlight that having someone to depend on and a circle of friends outside work are crucial for long-term happiness. Additionally, the research revealed that how people perceive their social class can significantly affect their life satisfaction. Dr. Chowhan notes, "The higher you rate yourself in terms of social class, the higher your life satisfaction, but also, the gap between the lowest class and upper class is huge."
In summary, the study identifies 7 key factors that contribute to lasting happiness:
Family and Community: Strong family ties and a supportive community are vital for happiness.
Social Class: Perception of social class plays a significant role in life satisfaction.
Personal Appearance: Feeling good about one's appearance contributes to overall well-being.
Marital Status: Having a loving marriage is a profound source of higher life satisfaction.
Employment: Being employed adds to one's sense of fulfillment.
Health: Good health is a cornerstone of happiness.
Leisure Time: Having sufficient leisure time enhances life satisfaction.
Interestingly, the study also found that women tend to be more satisfied with life than men, on average.
Happiness studies such as this provide valuable insights into what truly matters for our happiness and well-being, highlighting the importance of nurturing our relationships and communities.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
RESEARCH:
Chowhan, J., Samavatyan, H. & HakemZadeh, F. Life Satisfaction and the Roles of Work, Family, and Social Factors in a Social Production Function Framework.Journal of Happiness Studies 25, 18 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-024-00739-6
