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The secrets to a happy life may not be as secret as you think.
Relationships matter more than anything else, researchers say and have 600 years of evidence to back up the claim.
“Having relationships is one of the most reliable predictors of happiness that has emerged from a robust body of evidence spanning the social sciences,” Lara Aknin, a professor of social psychology at British Columbia’s Simon Fraser University, said in a statement.
Just having one person to count on is incredibly significant, they found.
“Having more relationships and more communities that you feel a part of compounds that sense of well-being,” Aknin, who co-authored a new paper on the findings with other leading happiness experts, noted.
Researchers said many factors beyond relationships can determine happiness. Meaningful work and activities aligned with people’s values contribute strongly to happiness - though more money doesn’t necessarily mean more joy.
While a comfortable income and financial security are important foundations, once basic needs are met the impact income has on happiness lessens, the researchers said.
Peoples’ daily habits and attitudes also play a big part in being happy, as the song “Don't Worry, Be Happy" by singer Bobby McFerrin suggests. That includes expressing gratitude, listening more deeply, savoring good experiences, volunteering and being more socially engaged.
Getting daily exercise, including walking, running or lifting weights, has also been shown to cut risks of depression and anxiety disorders.
If you’re not feeling joyous - or if you are - remember happiness is not a constant state.
Happy people aren’t constantly happy and happiness isn’t meant only for people with ideal lives. Happy people also have to deal with factors out of their control, including geopolitical conflict, deadly climate events and economic strife.
Even when life gets tough, happiness can be developed through conscious choices, the researchers note, with leading models showing about 40 percent of happiness is related to how people choose to spend their time.
“That leaves a lot of opportunity for people who may be more innately pessimistic to start practicing research-backed strategies like meditation or gratitude that might help them see the world in a more positive way,” Aknin said.