THE economy is plummeting, the planet could burn to a crisp, and war has just broken out - again. Believe it or not though, people around the globe are happier today on average than they were 25 years ago. The secret seems to be a combination of rising economic prosperity, democracy and social liberalisation.

Every few years the World Values Survey (WVS), headed by Ron Inglehart, quizzes about 1400 people in each of 52 countries on how happy they are. Last month it pooled 25 years of data and found that since 1981, happiness has risen in 45 countries.

The results challenge earlier studies that happiness levels do not rise along with the economy - something that had led many to conclude that money can’t buy happiness. However, these studies often looked at countries that were rich already. The WVS team’s analysis shows that economic growth only boosts happiness noticeably in countries with per-capita GDP less than $12,000.

To read more about happiness and the World Values Survey - click here

Why our happiness is taking a dive
BY MICHAEL RUFFLES
28/08/2008

For the first time in seven years men are feeling better than women, but overall happiness is taking a dive as inflation hits the hip pocket, research shows.

The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index has issued preliminary findings from its latest survey, showing that cost of living pressure is having more impact on women.

Australia’s overall wellbeing level is 74.8 on a scale of 100, close to the historical average of 75 but down 1 percentage point since the previous survey.

The report’s author, Deakin University’s Professor Bob Cummins, said new research had shown a strong link between the consumer price index and happiness, with women feeling the pressure as a household’s main spender. He said if inflation remained high, ‘’happiness will go down for sure'’.

To read more about our happiness here in Australia - click here

YOUNG women exposed to tragic events may be at a higher risk of breast cancer and being optimistic can help protect against the disease, a study has found.

A team of researchers say they may have found a link between a women’s outlook on life and the risk of breast cancer.

After questioning more than 600 women – include 255 breast cancer patients – about life experiences, happiness and depression, researchers found optimists were 25 per cent less likely to develop the disease.

To read more of this fascinating happiness article from today’s The Australian - click here

The pursuit of happiness - sustaining human well-being

Tuesday, 26 August 2008
By Dr Steve Hatfield-Dodds and Anthea Coggan

Sustainable development is really about ensuring the planet is able to support human well-being over the long run: happy and healthy people, forever. This definition both affirms the importance of ‘progress’, and reminds us that progress should not be taken for granted.

More money does not make us happier …A surprise from happiness research is that rising average incomes do not make people happier. Average income in the United States today, for example, is around five times higher than it was in 1900. Income in Japan has increased at a similar rate since the late 1950s. Australians, meanwhile, are around eight times richer than a century ago as GDP has increased significantly in line with economic growth (see Ecos 134, pp. 12–15).

Surveys measuring happiness only began in the 1940s, but show little or no general increase in happiness levels over the last five decades. In fact, Australians’ happiness measure has arguably declined slightly.1 This weak relationship between happiness and income over time contrasts with results that indicate that, at any given time, people with higher incomes seem to be happier than those with lower incomes. In other words, happiness appears to be a function of relative income, or social position, rather than absolute purchasing power. While we are richer now we are not, by the same degree, happier.

… but too little can be bad
The insight that ‘more money does not make us happier’ has two important caveats.

To read more - click here

Socializing boosts health, happiness

Research demonstrates the benefits of human interaction, while isolation is detrimental

Max Schneider
Published: Monday, August 25, 2008

As students’ summer classes and work schedules fill their days to the brim, many may feel that the time crunch requires them to neglect their social life.

But not spending enough time with family and friends can compromise human health, UCLA researchers have found.

“(Social contact with others) has effects on the body that are more powerful than cigarette smoking and your cholesterol level,” said Shelley Taylor, a distinguished professor of psychology. “The magnitude is very strong.”

At The Happiness Institute we’ve long argued that there’s a strong and positive correlation between happiness and others…this story is entirely consistent with the principles we espouse in our coaching programs and courses.

To read more - click here

I have, over the years, seen lots of people who’re not happy and all of them have been unhappy in different ways. That being said, one of the most common causes of unhappiness is worry. But the good news is that people can be helped to overcome worry and that as a result, can increase their chances of experiencing happiness and then more fully participating in life. So try the following tips for overcoming worry and see if, as a result, you find more happiness coming your way.

1. Set aside a “Worry time”
Accept that you’re going to worry and regularly set aside specific “worry times”. When ever a worry comes to mind, acknowledge to yourself that you need to think it through, but then note that you’ll do so during your “worry time”. At the appointed time, focus on finding a solution but before then, give yourself permission to get on with other things.

2. Is the problem solvable?
Worrying is not all bad. It alerts us to the possibility that something’s not right, and motivates us to come up with solutions to avoid bad outcomes. However, some people find it difficult to stop worrying because they attempt to solve problems that are not immediately solvable. So, during your worry time, ask yourself whether your worry involves a solvable problem or not.

3. If the problem is solvable…
Worriers also find it difficult to stop worrying because they keep trying to solve a problem to perfection. This is rarely possible; so instead of aiming for perfection aim for a realistic solution. Also, make sure that you evaluate possible solutions in a balanced way, not just paying attention to what may go wrong, but also to what may go right.

4. Be aware of unhelpful thoughts
Worriers often overestimate how likely it is that bad things will happen; and then often overestimate how bad things would be, should they happen. Remind yourself of all the previous times when you worried about something that didn’t eventually happen. Try to become more realistic in your assessment of the likely outcomes.

5. Be your own “best friend”
Imagine that you’re your own best friend. If you’re being overly self-critical ask yourself whether you’d say these things to your best friend. If not, what would you say to your friend under similar circumstances?

6. If the problem is not solvable…
Sometimes problems are not immediately solvable. During those times, it can be helpful to consider using ‘emotion focussed’, rather than ‘problem-focussed’ coping techniques. Stop trying to solve something that is not solvable and learn to cope with the associated emotions.

7. Rest and exercise
Two of the most effective strategies for managing worry are relaxation and exercise; finds ways to integrate both into your life.

8. Be mindful
Try to observe your thoughts, without judgement; thoughts are not always facts. This is not as easy as it sounds but just like anything else, you can get better at it with practice.

9. Don’t worry at night – sleep
Keep a pen and paper by your bed and write down any worrying thoughts; then tell yourself that you’ll deal with them another time. Make sure that you have a wind down time before going to sleep that’s calming and relaxing.

10. Social support
The happiest and most successful people don’t always cope with problems on their own. They typically have friends they can talk to in times of need. To combat worry, don’t be afraid to bounce some ideas off others whom you trust.

PS: as noted above, worry is a very common but very treatable problem so don’t be shy about seeking help because the benefits of learning how to manage worry and enormous. Also, you can find more information on most of the themes/tips above in our free resources section and/or at http://www.depressionmanuals.com.

In the model of happiness we primarily promote here at The Happiness Institute (see “The Happiness Institute’s CHOOSE Philosophy” in the free resources section of our website) “others” is one of the big 6. That is, happiness should not be considered a solo-sport but rather, something that is inextricably linked to the number and quality of relationships in our lives.

It probably won’t surprising many of you, then, to know that a key ingredient to ensuring positive relationships (and, thereby, happiness) is love.

To read an interesting story I discovered this morning on just this topic - click here

I have, frequently, written about my passionate belief that happiness is at least partly dependent on healthy living. By healthy living I mean ensuring adequate exercise and activity; getting good sleep and rest; and, of course, eating well.

It’s hard to be happy if you’re literally sick and tired all the time and it’s hard to maitain happiness if the fuel you put in your body is inadequate or of poor quality.

Well, I’m not the only one who things like this and I’m sure many of you agree with the basic assumption that food can influence how you feel (and, as such, your happiness). So for those of you who’re interested in reading more - click here

Reinforcing much of what I’ve written before about happiness and consistent with many other happiness articles based on reasonably valid and reliable science, a story I read this morning lists the following 5 keys to happiness:

1. Pick good parents
2. Be altruistic
3. Visualise a happy life
4. Exercise
5. Be patient

To read more details about these 5 happiness tips - click here

I’ve not seen the original research to which this story refers but if it’s valid and reliable, then these are some fascinating and important findings.

New research suggests that although you may not be able to prevent breast cancer. But you can the risk of developing the disease to an extent — just be happy and think positively. A new study has revealed that positive thinking and happiness could reduce a woman’s chance of devel oping breast cancer by a quarter while traumatic events like divorce and bereavement might have an adverse affect.

“We can carefully say that experiencing more than one severe and/or moderate life event is a risk factor for breast cancer among young women. On the other hand, a general feeling of happiness and optimism can play a protective role.

Can happiness cut breast cancer risk? Click here to read more