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Happiness doesn’t simply mean feeling joyful all the time
Leading happiness researcher Sonja Lyubomirsky writes that happiness involves feeling positive emotions along with “a sense that one’s life is good, meaningful, and worthwhile.” Some research even suggests that trying to be happy all the time is a recipe for unhappiness.
Happy people enjoy better health
Studies suggest that happiness reduces your risk of heart disease, strengthen your immune system, and might ultimately add years to your life.
Happy people are more generous
Studies suggest that feeling happy makes you kind… and kindness makes you happy—an upward spiral of happiness and goodness.
Happy people “prioritize positivity”
They deliberately organize their day-to-day life so it contains situations that naturally give rise to positive emotions.
Happiness is good for our relationships
Happy people are more likely to get married and have fulfilling marriages, and they have more friends.
More money doesn’t bring more happiness
Happy people generally do make more money and are more productive at work, but research suggests that once people earn roughly $75,000 per year, more pay doesn’t bring more happiness.
For more on the science of happiness, visit the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley.