The pursuit of happiness: Finding joy in modern times

Happiness is a strange phenomenon. It is the aggregate of all our struggles and the most basic facet of almost all goals.

Happiness is a strange phenomenon because every individual measures it differently.

In an article by Pascale Harter for the BBC:  Researchers at the World Happiness Database in Rotterdam (and yes that’s a real place), believe we can make ourselves happier.

But the path to happiness may not be where we are looking for it.

What is Happiness to you?

-Going out with friends?

-Spending time with your family?

-Being with that special someone?

Prof Ruut Veenhoven, Director of the Database and Emeritus professor of social conditions for human happiness at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, says his own study found a slight negative correlation between the number of times people in a study spontaneously mentioned “goals” and their happiness.

He said: “Though it is generally assumed that you need goals to lead a happy life, evidence is mixed. The reason seems to be that unhappy people are more aware of their goals, because they seek to change their life for the better.”

Although there is some positive correlation between seeing meaning in life and being happy, studies suggest this is not a necessary condition for happiness.

In fact, studies reveal that leading an active life has the strongest correlation with happiness.

“In order to lead a happy life, a rewarding life, you need to be active,” says Veenhoven. “So involvement is more important to happiness than knowing the why, why we are here.”

Modern life has us forever in a marathon of servitude in chase of acquiring more knick-knacks, gizmos and general stuff. Social media has connected us in more ways than previously thought possible, yet most people have never been more isolated.

The above study shows us that ‘face-time’ – not Facebook – will make us happier.

Studies collated by the database associated with the study say you tend to be happier if you:

• Are in a long-term relationship

• Are actively engaged in politics

• Are active in work and in your free time

• Go out for dinner

• Have close friendships (though happiness does not increase with the number of friends you have)

And there are some surprising findings:

• People who drink in moderation are happier than people who don’t drink at all.

• Men tend to be happier in a society where women enjoy greater equality.

• Being considered good looking increases men’s happiness more than it does women’s.

• You tend to be happier if you think you’re good looking, rather than if you actually, objectively speaking, are.

• Having children lowers your happiness levels, but your happiness increases when they grow up and leave home.

This study shows us one thing: that we ultimately have the power and the control over our own happiness. So let’s do it – and when we get there ourselves, pass it on.

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