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The Science of Happiness

This text explores the significance of happiness research, its benefits, and factors that contribute to happiness, including genetics, leisure activities, spirituality, and relationships. It emphasizes the importance of gratitude and provides practical tips for increasing happiness.

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The Science of Happiness

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  1. The Science of Happiness Huntington’s Disease Society of America 28th Annual Convention Jacksonville June 21st, 2013 Dr. Mark D. Holder University of British Columbia

  2. Psychology, Medicine, Psychiatry, and Neuroscience have traditionally focused on what’s wrong with you and how do we fix it. Positive psychology is about what is rightwith you and how do we promote it.

  3. Happiness: An Ignored Field Dictionary of Psychology: • Definitions of “Depression” • 18 Definitions • Definitions of “Happiness” • 0 Definitions

  4. Why is Research on Happiness Important? • Improvements in the Immune System • Associated with Health • Increased Career Success • Improved Investment Returns • Better Relationships • Increased Tolerance • Increased Creativity • Longer Life • How we are Judged by Others • We Desire It

  5. “Much has been gained if we succeed in turning your hysterical misery into common unhappiness.” Sigmund Freud

  6. How happy are you? Self-report measures

  7. The Faces Scale “Overall, how do you usually feel?” Very Happy very unhappyvery happy

  8. 1 5 2 3 4 6 7

  9. How NOT to become happier

  10. Buying Happiness • Personal income has risen dramatically over 40+ years • Gross National Product has increased dramatically over the past 50 years • Happiness has not increased

  11. Income Increases but not Happiness

  12. Money and Happiness • Winning a lottery • No relation between happiness and family income for children (Holder & Coleman, 2008) • However, most people are convinced that more money would promote their happiness (Kahneman, et al., 2006) • Less than $70,000

  13. Happiness and Gender

  14. Happiness and EducationNo correlation between education and happiness

  15. Happiness and BeautyBeauty has many advantages 1) you are judged smarter 2) more likely to get a job, a better job evaluation, a promotion, and a raise 3) more people want to be your friend 4) newborns prefer looking at them

  16. But beauty is not strongly linked to happiness

  17. Life Satisfaction and Age

  18. Happiness & Having Children

  19. Activities and Happiness

  20. So, if it is not income, gender, education, beauty, age, or having children, what does contribute to happiness?

  21. Genetics • 40-50% of happiness has been attributed to inheritance • Twins

  22. Leisure • Active Leisure • Holidays, team sports, and hobbies • Passive Leisure • Television, computer use, and playing video games (Holder, Coleman & Sehn, 2009)

  23. Spirituality • Neglected in adults • 4-5% of your happiness • Why spirituality? • Gives one personal meaning • Healthier lifestyle • Promotes volunteering and altruism • Gives hope • Promotes social relations • Children too (Holder, Coleman, & Wallace, 2010)

  24. Four components of Spirituality 1) Personal Meaning 2) Connecting with others 3) Transcendence 4) Nature

  25. Enhancing Spirituality Nature experiences Photo albums

  26. Friends and Family • “Hell is other people” (Jean Paul Sartre) • Critical component of happiness • Marriage • Children (Holder & Coleman, 2009) • Dementia and social support

  27. Marriage and Happiness

  28. Quality not Quantity List three people you are really excited about seeing and you are certain you can trust

  29. How To Nurture Relationships • Ask questions and really listen • Never miss an opportunity to compliment • Never miss a chance to celebrate success • Notice something different • Limit e-social connecting

  30. Volunteer • Why does this work? • Gives you social praise • Gives you personal meaning • Makes you less self-focused • Makes you feel competent • Promotes social relations

  31. Giving Thanks Gratitude Journal • Three things each week that you are thankful for • 1) a past event • 2) a present event • 3) a future event • 4) something about you (physical) • 5) something about you (non-physical) • 6) a friend • 7) a family member • 8) work • 9) your community

  32. How to Increase Your Happiness • Don’t Confuse Well-Being with Being Well-off • Active Leisure • Friends and Family • Counting Acts of Kindness • Volunteer • Discover Flow • Sleep & Health • Fake it • Social Comparisons • Spirituality • Giving Thanks

  33. A Big Thanks Dr Ben Coleman – Okanagan College Graduate Students: Judi Wallace Andrea Klassen Rob Callaway Ashley Love Maxine Crawford Undergraduate Students: Tabatha Freimuth, Zoë Sehn, Tim Krupa Funding: Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Ogopogo Rotary Club UBC Okanagan Internal Grants & Travel Grants Joan Rundle (private donation) BrainTrust Canada

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