What makes us happy

Studies surprising insights into why some people are happier than others.landmark twins research from the university of Minnesota, USA, found that roughly 50 percent of the difference in happiness from one individual to another is genetically determined. We don’t inherit particular traits that make us more or less optimistic, our DNA is responsible for what researcher refer to as a “happiness set point.” Because happiness is intangible and difficult to measure, they are influenced differently by each person’s perception of happiness.Research points to four key areas: family community, work and faith.

Family: according to ongoing Grant study, several things that common sense tells us are true, that having a loving childhood predicts happiness in adulthood. That men are happier in their mature years if they are close with their children. And that one of the predictors for happiness in old age is being in a good marriage.

Community: the community that is build around us are our friends which boost our happiness. All the happiest people have close relationship at least a few people we can really count on. Some people believe that friends are not as important as relatives because certain friendships dissolve when someone changes jobs or moves to another city. Friends can be particularly rewarding for people who have drastically different interests, compared to their family members. unlike relatives, we can choose our friends.

Faith: in this 21^st century, when people seem to be more interested in money, pop culture and tech gadgets than old- fashioned values like spirituality and religion. Part of the reason is that one should follow our faith, it’s likely that we all need to be a part of a community or like-minded group  which produces positive feelings. Religious people are happier than people who don’t rely on their faith , because of their interpersonal connections.

Work: work provides meaning and purpose to life and its closely tied to happiness studies have shown that completely disabled people are less happy than other people, largely because they are unable to do work of any kind. The best way to increase happiness through work is to find enjoyment in what we do.

Antika Supriya

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