the Tracking Happiness team, Author at Tracking Happiness https://www.trackinghappiness.com/author/the-tracking-happiness-team/ Wed, 13 Dec 2023 14:57:37 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.2 https://www.trackinghappiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/TH-Site-Icon-2022-1.png the Tracking Happiness team, Author at Tracking Happiness https://www.trackinghappiness.com/author/the-tracking-happiness-team/ 32 32 557 Unique Happiness Facts, According to Science https://www.trackinghappiness.com/happiness-facts/ https://www.trackinghappiness.com/happiness-facts/#respond Thu, 14 Sep 2023 09:52:47 +0000 https://www.trackinghappiness.com/?p=14316 Happiness facts should be useful, fun and inspiring. I've combed through hundreds of articles online and carefully categorized all the happiness facts I've come across.

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]]> Here are 557 happiness facts divided into 18 categories. We’ve analyzed 507 happiness studies, journals, and reports across 111 publications. Each happiness fact is backed with a link to the scientific study that supports it. This page is updated every month with the latest facts.

If you’re looking for a specific happiness fact or topic, please use the search function (ctrl + F) or the table of contents below!

63 facts about happiness in general

#1 Laughing improves wellbeing and mood, but it also increases endorphins and your pain threshold.

As explained here | Source link

#2 A sad mood may influence your memory and ability to recognize emotion-related facial expressions in others

As explained here | Source link

#3 A positive mood has been shown to improve your capacity to learn and helps you perform better than if you were in even a “neutral mood”.

As explained here | Source link

#4 Research suggests that happiness and other good vibes are extremely contagious.

As explained here | Source link

#5 Some people are born with personalities capable of creating an ‘affective reserve.’ These people are able to use this reserve of happiness to cope better with life’s difficulties.

As explained here | Source link

#6 Happiness is higher among people with access to financial resources and social support.

As explained here | Source link

#7 Mental health is the strongest indicator of happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#8 A person can still find ways to be happy even if their most basic needs are fulfilled only partially.

As explained here | Source link

#9 Children find happiness in self-fulfillment through activities and hobbies, and relationships.

As explained here | Source link

#10 While younger people are more likely to associate happiness with excitement, older people are more likely to associate happiness with peacefulness.

As explained here | Source link

#11 There’s a correlation between the ability to laugh at yourself and being a positive and happy person.

As explained here | Source link

#12 People often mispredict how much an anticipated event actually makes them happy.

As explained here | Source link

#13 Happiness can effectively spread through your social ties such as your friends, family, and neighbors.

As explained here | Source link

#14 A positive mindset can be triggered, and more importantly, a positive mindset initiates more creativity and an urge to “play ball”.

As explained here | Source link

#15 Friendship variables accounted for 58% of the variance in people’s happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#16 People who are encouraged to think of things they’re grateful for are approximately 10% happier than those who are not.

As explained here | Source link

#17 Education seems to affect happiness through income: the higher the education level, the higher the income.

As explained here | Source link

#18 A study of 217 identical twins and 114 fraternal twins found that DNA was responsible for 39% to 58% of our happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#19 A sense of inner peace is a dimension of durable and lasting happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#20 Research shows that genetic factors count for 35-50% of our happiness. It is believed that most of this effect comes from genes that code mood and emotional regulation.

As explained here | Source link

#21 While happiness isn’t localized in the brain – meaning there is no specific brain area related to happiness – areas and neurotransmitters related to mood regulation play an important role in our overall happiness levels.

As explained here | Source link

#22 Hormonal balance is important for happiness. Higher levels of hormones like oxytocin, which is related to social bonding, make us happier, while higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol diminish our happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#23 Out of all words, the word “Love” is most associated with the word “Happiness”.

As explained here | Source link

#24 Adaptive and effective emotion regulation strategies have been found to be positively correlated with subjective well-being and happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#25 Pre and post-holiday happiness is the same regardless of the length of the trip.

As explained here | Source link

#26 89% of people think that happiness can be controlled.

As explained here | Source link

#27 People who think that happiness can be controlled are 32% happier on average.

As explained here | Source link

#28 Spending money on others promotes happiness more than spending money on oneself.

As explained here | Source link

#29 Frequent smiling only makes you happier if you believe that a smile reflects happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#30 Creativity on one day predicted happiness on the next.

As explained here | Source link

#31 When we’re focused on happiness as a destination, we end up feeling like we have less time to enjoy it.

As explained here | Source link

#32 People are typically happier planning vacations than after going on them.

As explained here | Source link

#33 Happier individuals tend to be healthier and live longer lives.

As explained here | Source link

#34 Psychological well-being, emotional self-efficacy, affect balance and self-esteem explain 51% of the total variance of happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#35 The old adage about money not buying happiness is only true if you already have enough of it; for others, financial security is an important contributor to happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#36 Helping people, whether it’s a close friend or a stranger, leads to greater happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#37 How we define happiness can change as we become older.

As explained here | Source link

#38 People who place a high value on materialistic items have lower levels of life satisfaction.

As explained here | Source link

#39 Simple positive activities help make us happier. These activities could be engaging in kindness or keeping a gratitude diary.

As explained here | Source link

#40 Following your authenticity leads to greater wellbeing.

As explained here | Source link

#41 When you are feeling happier, you are more likely to be successful and achieve the outcomes you desire in life.

As explained here | Source link

#42 When you prioritize your needs and show kindness to yourself you experience greater levels of happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#43 xperiences bring us more happiness than stuff.

As explained here | Source link

#44 Savoring the moment leads to greater rates of positive emotion and reduced incidents of depression.

As explained here | Source link

#45 Having life goals is linked to happiness and subjective well-being.

As explained here | Source link

#46 If we want to fight off depression and maintain mental well-being throughout our life span, it’s important to find ways to contribute to the world around you instead of giving in to the allure of laziness and inaction.

As explained here | Source link

#47 The short-term impact of savoring the moment allows you to identify, focus on, and increase positive emotions.

As explained here | Source link

#48 Happier people are more productive and creative.

As explained here | Source link

#49 Individuals who are more in touch with their own emotions and the emotions of others experience less stress and greater levels of well-being.

As explained here | Source link

#50 Being kind to ourselves has mental and physical benefits. For instance, practicing self-compassion exercises can lower the heart rate, which boosts our immunity.

As explained here | Source link

#51 Those who score higher on authenticity report greater happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#52 When we’re optimistic and focus on abundance in the future it does create a neurological response that increases happiness in the emotional center of our brain.

As explained here | Source link

#53 Individuals who focus on positive thoughts, especially regarding their future, are better equipped to cope with tough times.

As explained here | Source link

#54 88% of respondents experience mental health issues

As explained here | Source link

#55 On average, a person struggles with 3 mental health issues

As explained here | Source link

#56 On average, people who struggle with their mental health are 23% less happy

As explained here | Source link

#57 Optimistic people tend to be happier, healthier, and cope better during tough times. They are also more persistent.

As explained here | Source link

#58 There’s a positive feedback loop between progress and happiness. Making progress on your goals makes you feel happier and more satisfied with life. In turn, positive emotions motivate you to work on your goals and stay on task.

As explained here | Source link

#59 People who are more flexible in their thoughts and behavior tend to lead happier and healthier lives.

As explained here | Source link

#60 Our definition of happiness is influenced by our cultural background.

As explained here | Source link

#61 Happiness is determined partially by your genetics and partially by external sources.

As explained here | Source link

#62 Shifting towards an attitude of gratitude will activate areas of your brain that help to produce dopamine.

As explained here | Source link

#63 Our happiness and our health are strongly correlated. In other words, not focusing on how to be happy could have negative implications on your health.

As explained here | Source link

154 facts about behavior and happiness

#64 A lack of organization increases cortisol levels and negatively impacts your mood.

As explained here | Source link

#65 Having success while doing a puzzle releases dopamine in the brain.

As explained here | Source link

#66 People respond with much more happiness to receiving flowers than other thank you gifts.

As explained here | Source link

#67 Individuals who prioritize honesty and integrity have healthier and longer lifespans.

As explained here | Source link

#68 People who are in a more organized environment are more likely to choose healthier snacks than those in a disorganized environment.

As explained here | Source link

#69 A lack of organization increases cortisol levels and negatively impacts your mood.

As explained here | Source link

#70 Routines in life help manage stress and anxiety.

As explained here | Source link

#71 Planning each day the night before increases productivity and frees up time.

As explained here | Source link

#72 Those who choose to focus on the good adapt better to stressful situations.

As explained here | Source link

#73 Those who expect good outcomes in life are less likely to pass away, especially from a cardiovascular cause.

As explained here | Source link

#74 Focusing on the positive can lead to a stronger immunity.

As explained here | Source link

#75 Having structured routines can have a significant positive impact on your mental health, including improving bipolar disorder and preventing substance abuse.

As explained here | Source link

#76 Routine helps to make life feel more predictable, stable, and controllable, which can give a calming and anxiety-reducing effect.

As explained here | Source link

#77 People who lack structure in their life may be more likely to suffer from stress, poor sleep, poor eating, worsened physical condition and procrastination.

As explained here | Source link

#78 Having a good routine can improve your quality of rest, which in turn can positively affect your mental sharpness, performance, emotional well-being, and energy level.

As explained here | Source link

#79 Self-discipline has a stronger effect on academic performance than IQ.

As explained here | Source link

#80 Self-discipline and motivation are the only predictors of success in an online psychology course.

As explained here | Source link

#81 Lower self-control is related to unhealthy coping mechanisms, which in turn causes worse health outcomes.

As explained here | Source link

#82 Self‐control positively contributes to happiness through avoiding and dealing with motivational conflict.

As explained here | Source link

#83 College students who based their self-worth on external sources, such as appearance and approval from others, have higher levels of drug and alcohol use.

As explained here | Source link

#84 People who have identified the things they’re good at and actively pursue them experience more positive emotions, increased engagement, and higher levels of well-being.

As explained here | Source link

#85 Self-efficacy is proven to predict happiness and positive thinking in adolescents, an age group that is notorious for their lack of optimism.

As explained here | Source link

#86 University students with high levels of self-efficacy are more likely to adopt a deep and strategic approach to studying, which will lead to improved results.

As explained here | Source link

#87 Sufficient rest and being “unplugged” is crucial to your health.

As explained here | Source link

#88 Elderly couples who give practical support to others have a decreased risk of dying.

As explained here | Source link

#89 Older people who volunteer have reduced risk of dementia and fewer cognitive problems.

As explained here | Source link

#90 Our thoughts about the future are based on past experiences, but it’s important to let go of the past to make room for new possibilities.

As explained here | Source link

#91 Positive reminiscence evokes positive emotions that have a restorative and protective effect on our brain in the face of stress.

As explained here | Source link

#92 Researchers have confirmed that crying releases feel-good chemicals such as oxytocin that ease emotional and physical pain.

As explained here | Source link

#93 People with an internal locus of control perform better academically and are more effective learners, and are more resistant to stress.

As explained here | Source link

#94 Positive self-talk has been regarded as a “skill” that can change even young children’s perspectives and impact how they deal with circumstances that involve themselves and others.

As explained here | Source link

#95 A 2011 study revealed that consumerism is linked to lower well-being.

As explained here | Source link

#96 Creativity, hobbies, and other leisure activities have been shown in studies to improve general wellbeing.

As explained here | Source link

#97 The ability to laugh at yourself predicts a number of very positive character traits.

As explained here | Source link

#98 Learning to accept yourself leads to lower levels of depression and perfectionism.

As explained here | Source link

#99 When people are offered a reward of some kind, which they are then denied, their desire to get the reward increases.

As explained here | Source link

#100 Rushed decisions lead to regret more often.

As explained here | Source link

#101 There might be a link between a country’s happiness and its sustainability rankings.

As explained here | Source link

#102 Practicing gratitude predicts greater sleep quality and sleep duration, and less sleep latency and daytime dysfunction.

As explained here | Source link

#103 A 2014 study among university students found a significant relationship between creativity and subjective, emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

As explained here | Source link

#104 People with creative occupations like town planners, architects, and graphic designers showed higher levels of well-being compared to those with non-creative professions like bankers, insurance agents, and accountants.

As explained here | Source link

#105 People are more creative on days when they experienced more positive emotions.

As explained here | Source link

#106 People perform better in a creativity task when they are in an experimentally induced positive mood.

As explained here | Source link

#107 A 2010 study found a significant correlation between self-awareness and well-being in mental health professionals.

As explained here | Source link

#108 Being too compassionate to others is not good. Spending too much of your own energy on others can result in stress.

As explained here | Source link

#109 People who are encouraged to think of things they’re grateful for are approximately 10% happier than those who are not.

As explained here | Source link

#110 Thinking back on past memories that you like is a great way to be happy.

As explained here | Source link

#111 Positive psychology interventions significantly enhance well-being and decrease depressive symptoms.

As explained here | Source link

#112 Internal locus of control has been found to be positively correlated with happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#113 People who identify as minimalists report positive changes to different aspects of their lives such as autonomy, competence, mental space, awareness, and positive emotions.

As explained here | Source link

#114 Clutter affects the visual cortex which causes the other regions of the brain to struggle in focusing and processing information.

As explained here | Source link

#115 Self-help books are effective at helping us learn new life skills, like assertiveness, problem-solving and even tidiness.

As explained here | Source link

#116 Positive self-talk and visualization results in experiencing significantly fewer intrusive negative thoughts.

As explained here | Source link

#117 An experiment studied the difference between participants instructed to tell the truth and others with no such instruction. Those who avoided lies found that their mental health, physical health and relationships were significantly improved.

As explained here | Source link

#118 Practicing self-soothing self-talk reduces shame and skin complaints in people suffering from acne.

As explained here | Source link

#119 Look back on photos or other media that remind you of good times is an effective way to self-soothe.

As explained here | Source link

#120 The act of power posing – adopting open, expansive poses that signal power – for only 1 minute decreases the stress hormone cortisol and increases feelings of power and tolerance for risk.

As explained here | Source link

#121 Increased patience can alleviate depression.

As explained here | Source link

#122 A 2017 study found a significant positive correlation between assertive behavior and self-esteem in adolescents.

As explained here | Source link

#123 Resilience can lead to favorable psychological and treatment-related outcomes in cancer patients.

As explained here | Source link

#124 A 2010 study conducted on a sample of athletes showed that resilience was positively associated with sport achievement and psychological well-being.

As explained here | Source link

#125 People with higher levels of resilience report significantly higher levels of life satisfaction and lower levels of depression.

As explained here | Source link

#126 A 2010 study found that people tend to consume media that matches their mood.

As explained here | Source link

#127 Lonely people receive a mood boost from watching lonely characters on TV because this allows them to engage in self-enhancing downward social comparisons.

As explained here | Source link

#128 Watching a good comedy can have an even greater mood-lifting and anxiety-lowering effect than exercise.

As explained here | Source link

#129 Simply following the news on social media can trigger secondary traumatic stress in anyone.

As explained here | Source link

#130 People who were asked to ruminate on the good things that happened to them were healthier and happier, would sleep better, and even engage in exercise more.

As explained here | Source link

#131 Self-reflection is a significant predictor of personal growth, which is a dimension of psychological well-being.

As explained here | Source link

#132 Meaningful self-reflection can boost happiness levels.

As explained here | Source link

#133 Our facial expressions can have a small impact on our feelings and mental state, but the effect isn’t big enough to facilitate a meaningful and lasting change in our happiness levels.

As explained here | Source link

#134 Being creative can increase your happiness on a day-to-day basis, and in the long term.

As explained here | Source link

#135 People who volunteer consistently report to be healthier both physically and mentally than those who do not.

As explained here | Source link

#136 A 2010 study found a significant correlation between self-awareness and well-being in mental health professionals.

As explained here | Source link

#137 Optimism is strongly related to both self-esteem and happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#138 Developing personal responsibility positively contributes to one’s well-being, self-esteem, and psychological health by empowering individuals to take ownership over behaviors and actions.

As explained here | Source link

#139 Individuals with a greater internal locus of control have higher self-confidence and are more resistant to stress.

As explained here | Source link

#140 How positively you identify yourself, especially relative to others, significantly impacts your performance.

As explained here | Source link

#141 Adolescents with chronic pain report better mental health, less pain, and a higher quality of life after intentionally looking on the bright side.

As explained here | Source link

#142 The more you think about something, the less satisfied you are with your choice in the end.

As explained here | Source link

#143 Research has found that when you make a bad decision it is a sign you are not acting consistently with your definition of good behavior.

As explained here | Source link

#144 Not only is reading a way to relax the central nervous system, but it strengthens our brain.

As explained here | Source link

#145 if you choose to read literary fiction, your personal involvement with the characters promotes a more empathetic leaning.

As explained here | Source link

#146 Reading a book helps lower blood pressure and reduce stress.

As explained here | Source link

#147 Getting out in nature not only improves your mood, but it also has restorative effects.

As explained here | Source link

#148 Individuals who participate in interventions emphasizing personal growth experience increased levels of confidence.

As explained here | Source link

#149 Individuals who participate in personal growth groups are more likely to speak positively about themselves.

As explained here | Source link

#150 Experiencing awe and feeling physically smaller than an entity before us keeps us humble. It allows us to see our strengths and weaknesses in a more balanced, accurate way.

As explained here | Source link

#151 Gratitude and humility are mutually reinforcing, meaning gratitude fuels humility (and vice versa).

As explained here | Source link

#152 Self-deception diminishes over time, but only when self-deceivers are repeatedly confronted with evidence of the true situation.

As explained here | Source link

#153 Our brains are plastic and can be trained to lean more towards a growth mindset than a fixed mindset.

As explained here | Source link

#154 When we are more authentic our motivation for personal growth is greater.

As explained here | Source link

#155 Scientists found that smiling is an effective pain reduction strategy.

As explained here | Source link

#156 Emotionally stable people tend to have a balanced way of perceiving life’s problems, equipping them with the perspective they need to endure all sorts of hardship.

As explained here | Source link

#157 Deep breathing exercises are linked to emotional control and physical well-being.

As explained here | Source link

#158 When you seek self-expansion you will experience more quality interactions and develop more meaningful interpersonal relationships.

As explained here | Source link

#159 If you want to improve your critical thinking skills you need to be exposed to diverse experiences in your life.

As explained here | Source link

#160 Exposing yourself to new environments significantly enhanced life satisfaction relative to those who never changed their surroundings.

As explained here | Source link

#161 If you procrastinate getting your life organized, you will experience higher levels of anxiety, stress, depression, and fatigue.

As explained here | Source link

#162 When you challenge yourself, you activate portions of your brain that will help prevent anxiety and depression.

As explained here | Source link

#163 Students are more likely to succeed in their studies if they cultivated a growth mindset and became comfortable with the idea of being challenged.

As explained here | Source link

#164 Hope is associated with better physical and psychological wellbeing, and better social wellbeing and less psychological stress.

As explained here | Source link

#165 Thought-stopping has been proven to be a good coping mechanism tool.

As explained here | Source link

#166 Individuals who utilize self-affirmations experience reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression.

As explained here | Source link

#167 Individuals who use self-affirmations have more activation in areas of the brain involved in processing our sense of self and our orientation towards our future.

As explained here | Source link

#168 Individuals who repress their emotions are more likely to experience negative physical, mental health, and general well-being issues.

As explained here | Source link

#169 Not acknowledging difficult emotions actually makes those emotions stronger.

As explained here | Source link

#170 We gain happiness from consumption up to a certain point. Thereafter, our happiness starts to fall.

As explained here | Source link

#171 Living a minimalist life and reducing our consumption is positively correlated with well-being.

As explained here | Source link

#172 There’s a strong link between hope and lower levels of anxiety and stress.

As explained here | Source link

#173 Adaptive coping strategies, such as problem-solving and proactive coping, are linked to higher levels of hope.

As explained here | Source link

#174 Being hopeful is linked with an 11 to 15 percent longer life span, with hopeful people being more likely to live to the age of 85 and beyond!

As explained here | Source link

#175 Children who exhibit better self-discipline are more likely to be successful as adults regardless of their IQ score or socioeconomic background.

As explained here | Source link

#176 Self-discipline is a better predictor of academic success than IQ.

As explained here | Source link

#177 Individuals who use self-affirmations had more activation in areas of the brain involved in processing our sense of self and our orientation towards our future.

As explained here | Source link

#178 A healthy lifestyle causes life satisfaction and happiness, not the other way around.

As explained here | Source link

#179 Effective decision-making is correlated with high levels of hope for the future.

As explained here | Source link

#180 Optimistic people are more proactive and experience lower levels of avoidance, or disengagement styles of coping.

As explained here | Source link

#181 People who are more perseverant are much less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety.

As explained here | Source link

#182 Students are much more likely to persevere when they are focused on personal growth rather than trying to do better than others.

As explained here | Source link

#183 47% of our time is spent thinking about what isn’t going on at the present moment.

As explained here | Source link

#184 Levels of gratitude change across a life span, with older adults being found to have the greatest gratitude compared with younger people and middle-aged adults.

As explained here | Source link

#185 There is a relationship between self-perceived age and cardiovascular death rates. Researchers hypothesize that feeling more youthful leads to better health habits, such as exercising and eating healthy.

As explained here | Source link

#186 Perfectionists are more likely to have high blood pressure, which may lead to cardiovascular complications.

As explained here | Source link

#187 People who have higher levels of optimism have a longer life span, and a greater chance of living past 85 years old.

As explained here | Source link

#188 As we increase our knowledge base, our curiosity seems to dissipate. Adults tend to feel that they “know most things” and lose that keen interest as their understanding broadens.

As explained here | Source link

#189 People who take the time to be curious report greater levels of happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#190 A susceptibility to cognitive biases positively correlates with depression and anxiety.

As explained here | Source link

#191 Adverse life events combined with a negative cognitive style can lead to hopelessness.

As explained here | Source link

#192 Females are generally better at exhibiting sympathy relative to males.

As explained here | Source link

#193 Reople who actively focus on the good have a better immune response than those who focus on their stressors.

As explained here | Source link

#194 Individuals with a generalized anxiety disorder reported a significant reduction in worry and anxiety just by focusing on creating more positive thoughts.

As explained here | Source link

#195 Individuals who actively focus on the positive are better at dampening their stress response when bad things happen.

As explained here | Source link

#196 People who learn to let go and become appropriately careless are better at self-regulating and more resilient in the face of challenges.

As explained here | Source link

#197 Children who are able to delay gratification are found to be more successful and resilient throughout their lifespan.

As explained here | Source link

#198 Pursuing a more minimalist life can have profound impacts on your psychological well-being as well as your business and environmental stewardship.

As explained here | Source link

#199 Individuals who pursue simpler lifestyles experience greater relationship satisfaction and report improved mental health.

As explained here | Source link

#200 A readiness for self-improvement correlates with life accomplishments and future prospects.

As explained here | Source link

#201 Individuals who prioritize kindness to others are more resilient against stress.

As explained here | Source link

#202 People who are more polite are likely to have better outcomes in negotiations.

As explained here | Source link

#203 Consistent use of social media is linked to anxiety that’s rooted in our thought processing.

As explained here | Source link

#204 Individuals who emphasize humility have a greater “love of life” with lower levels of anxiety.

As explained here | Source link

#205 People with high levels of emotional intelligence can compartmentalize their emotions and recognize them as irrelevant to the decision-making process.

As explained here | Source link

#206 Students with better grades also have higher levels of self-discipline but not necessarily higher IQ levels.

As explained here | Source link

#207 People who acknowledge their emotions are better able to avoid both psychiatric and physical illness.

As explained here | Source link

#208 People who are in a bad mood have more difficulty remembering things.

As explained here | Source link

#209 Individuals who practiced self-forgiveness experienced improved mental health.

As explained here | Source link

#210 Poor sleep is more likely to cause you to be very emotionally reactive.

As explained here | Source link

#211 Accountability is a virtue that has a significant yet unexamined impact on our psychiatry.

As explained here | Source link

#212 Proactive decision-making fosters a greater belief in one’s abilities and increases satisfaction with one’s decision and with life more generally.

As explained here | Source link

#213 Vitamin D deficiency has been correlated with depression.

As explained here | Source link

#214 There is a relation between optimism and coping strategies such as the ability to stay positive in stressful situations, which can impact one’s quality of life.

As explained here | Source link

#215 Anticipating a positive future during the pandemic helped increase positive emotions in stressful conditions.

As explained here | Source link

#216 People are more willing to take risks to avoid a loss than to take on a similar risk to achieve a gain.

As explained here | Source link

#217 Children who experience negative approval endure heightened emotional distress, whereas children who experience positive approval elicit more socially competent behavior.

As explained here | Source link

30 facts about mental traits and happiness

#218 Dishonesty results in increased cortisol reactivity. And consequently, your blood pressure and heart rate will increase.

As explained here | Source link

#219 People who experience higher fear of failure also report greater shame upon a perceived failure experience.

As explained here | Source link

#220 The fear of experiencing shame and embarrassment plays a central role in the relationship between perfectionism and fear of failure.

As explained here | Source link

#221 Research on sociotropy has shown that sociotropic people have a higher risk of depression and social anxiety disorder.

As explained here | Source link

#222 Worrying is associated with several mental health disorders and is detrimental to your physical health.

As explained here | Source link

#223 Those who worry more about the health of their family and friends are more likely to experience depression and higher stress levels.

As explained here | Source link

#224 Dwelling on our past mistakes can negatively affect our present behavior.

As explained here | Source link

#225 Higher levels of rumination are associated with a greater likelihood of experiencing both a current depressive episode and a past history of depressive episodes.

As explained here | Source link

#226 A 2012 review found that there is a relationship between ruminative thinking and impaired physical health.

As explained here | Source link

#227 Negative self-talk predicted loneliness, especially if it involves a socially threatening mentality.

As explained here | Source link

#228 Repetitive feelings of regret are linked to anxiety and depression disorders.

As explained here | Source link

#229 Ruminating over negative thoughts is associated with volume reductions in brain areas that are related to cognitive control processes.

As explained here | Source link

#230 A 2012 review found that there is a relationship between ruminative thinking and impaired physical health.

As explained here | Source link

#231 Envious feelings are a strong predictor of worse mental health in the future.

As explained here | Source link

#232 We’re less likely to help others when we’re feeling envious.

As explained here | Source link

#233 Active worrying impairs working memory capacity.

As explained here | Source link

#234 Both worrying and rumination are associated with reduced cognitive control, making it more difficult for high-worriers and high-ruminators to switch between internal representations in working memory.

As explained here | Source link

#235 People who score higher on neuroticism worry more in daily life and generate more worry-related thoughts after being presented with a worry-inducing sentence.

As explained here | Source link

#236 People with chronic disorders like schizophrenia are generally unhappier than healthy people.

As explained here | Source link

#237 36% of young individuals around the world meet the criteria for Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD.)

As explained here | Source link

#238 Excessive worrying is a symptom of anxiety disorder, which affects nearly 20% of the US population every year.

As explained here | Source link

#239 Constant worry and anxiety can also shorten your lifespan, according to a 2018 study.

As explained here | Source link

#240 People who are highly sensitive tend to have greater emotional awareness and empathy in their romantic relationships.

As explained here | Source link

#241 Being sensitive is linked to higher awareness and responsiveness.

As explained here | Source link

#242 Men who are more sensitive to rejection are more likely to develop depression.

As explained here | Source link

#243 Neurotic people tend to have lower oxygen levels in their lateral prefrontal cortex. This area of the brain plays a role in a variety of cognitive processes.

As explained here | Source link

#244 Neuroticism can be linked with poor health, less exercise, and bad eating habits.

As explained here | Source link

#245 Our attitude to anxiety actually determines how it affects our mental and physical health.

As explained here | Source link

#246 We may be more likely to dwell on things because of how our brain processes emotions.

As explained here | Source link

#247 Some people are predisposed to a negativity bias, which means they are more inclined to learn from and focus on negative information and influences.

As explained here | Source link

76 facts about social happiness

#248 Having a well-developed social circle is a predictor of your well-being.

As explained here | Source link

#249 Loneliness has been found to negatively affect the quality of your sleep

As explained here | Source link

#250 Loneliness is associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and reduced cognitive function.

As explained here | Source link

#251 Employees who feel valued in the workplace report higher levels of engagement, satisfaction, and motivation than those who feel underappreciated by their employers.

As explained here | Source link

#252 Expressing gratitude toward an acquaintance makes them more likely to pursue a long-term relationship with you.

As explained here | Source link

#253 Laughing with others strengthens social bonds, bringing you and your friends closer.

As explained here | Source link

#254 If we perceive our treatment from someone as disrespectful, it can lead us to cast a generalized and negative view out into the world.

As explained here | Source link

#255 Maintaining an active friend network can contribute to your overall happiness and strengthen your ability to manage stress.

As explained here | Source link

#256 People look for trustworthiness, honesty, communication and similarity in a friend, while attractiveness and physical proximity (for example, living next door) are less important.

As explained here | Source link

#257 Both women and men expect trust, commitment, loyalty, and genuineness from their friends.

As explained here | Source link

#258 Romantic relationship variables, like relationship length and cohabitation, explained 21% of the variance in life satisfaction, with relationship satisfaction being a significant predictor.

As explained here | Source link

#259 Being in a romantic relationship is associated with increased subjective happiness and reduced gray matter density within the right dorsal striatum.

As explained here | Source link

#260 While people in a relationship are more satisfied with their relationship status, there’s no significant difference in the overall life satisfaction between single people and people in a relationship.

As explained here | Source link

#261 Friendship variables accounted for 58% of the variance in happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#262 Not all friendships are created equal when it comes to happiness: quality trumps quantity, meaning that it’s better to have a few close relationships than many less close ones.

As explained here | Source link

#263 Elders who have been married to the same person for most of their lives are only slightly happier than those who have been single or in various relationships.

As explained here | Source link

#264 Romantic relationship quality accounts for only 3% of the variance in happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#265 Happy people are 59% more likely to associate “Sex” with “Happiness” than unhappy people.

As explained here | Source link

#266 Happy people are 55% more likely to associate the words “Happiness” and “Family” with each other.

As explained here | Source link

#267 Men are 250% more likely to associate sex with happiness than women are, according to our study.

As explained here | Source link

#268 People who are community-oriented experience more positive emotions.

As explained here | Source link

#269 People often get stuck in unsatisfying relationships for reasons like cohabitation, marriage, children and family entanglement.

As explained here | Source link

#270 Experiencing social pain activates neural regions that are also involved in physical pain processing.

As explained here | Source link

#271 When people look at a picture of their ex-partner after a recent break-up, brain areas that support the sensory components of physical pain become active.

As explained here | Source link

#272 Scientists have found that happiness can effectively spread through your social ties such as your friends, family, and neighbors.

As explained here | Source link

#273 In some parts of Europe, up to 40% of people have only one meaningful interaction with friends or family per month.

As explained here | Source link

#274 Happier people are more helpful and willing to put in the work necessary to bring someone else’s mood back up.

As explained here | Source link

#275 People in committed relationships have higher subjective well-being levels.

As explained here | Source link

#276 The number of friends decreases with age, satisfaction with friends was a significant predictor of overall life satisfaction.

As explained here | Source link

#277 Those who converse with others with active listening skills feel more understood and satisfied with their conversations.

As explained here | Source link

#278 People who ask questions, particularly follow-up questions, are liked better by their conversation partners.

As explained here | Source link

#279 Couples who were married and didn’t have a sense of individual identity were more likely to experience decreased stability and decreased satisfaction in their marriage.

As explained here | Source link

#280 We are more likely to share our opinion and thoughts if we feel supported by our group.

As explained here | Source link

#281 After letting someone go, the areas of your brain associated with sadness have increased activity.

As explained here | Source link

#282 Unhealthy relationships have the potential to reduce the effectiveness of your immune system.

As explained here | Source link

#283 A good sense of humor is one of the deciding factors when it comes to relationships.

As explained here | Source link

#284 Laughing reduces stress and increases our tolerance to pain by up to 10%.

As explained here | Source link

#285 Helping others helps you to regulate your own emotions.

As explained here | Source link

#286 People who rated highly in feeling understood during their daily experiences are shown to feel happier.

As explained here | Source link

#287 People who rate highly in feeling understood during their daily experiences are shown to feel happier.

As explained here | Source link

#288 People who have a compassionate disposition (meaning the ability to show concern and sympathy for others’ misfortunes) display both better mental and physical health over a lifespan.

As explained here | Source link

#289 Our own perceived loneliness can leave us feeling vulnerable. It can have a detrimental impact on our well-being.

As explained here | Source link

#290 Focusing on pleasing others leads to depression and less satisfaction with your interpersonal relationships.

As explained here | Source link

#291 If you are anxiously attached to each other, then both individuals in the relationship are less likely to experience satisfaction and a greater sense of commitment.

As explained here | Source link

#292 If each individual in a relationship embraces autonomy and self-direction, then both parties are more likely to experience satisfaction in the relationship.

As explained here | Source link

#293 When others express gratitude towards you, you feel a stronger sense of community and appreciation for that person.

As explained here | Source link

#294 If you show someone you like them, they will naturally like you more too.

As explained here | Source link

#295 There’s a proven relationship between asking follow-up questions and being liked by the conversation partner.

As explained here | Source link

#296 Experiential gifts strengthen the relationship between gift giver and receiver much more than material gifts.

As explained here | Source link

#297 Maintaining strong friendships can lead to less stress and quicker recovery from illness.

As explained here | Source link

#298 People who have a strong network of friends are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors such as eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and successfully quitting smoking.

As explained here | Source link

#299 Dealing with a toxic friend can negatively impact one’s health by increasing stress and inflammation within the body.

As explained here | Source link

#300 Practising empathy can support people in adopting more positive attitudes towards stigmatized groups i.e. homeless people.

As explained here | Source link

#301 Consistently engaging in self-sabotaging behaviors may make it difficult to maintain healthy and committed romantic relationships.

As explained here | Source link

#302 When we share our goals with people we view as more successful than ourselves, we are more likely to achieve our goals.

As explained here | Source link

#303 There is a clear relationship between self-disclosure and likability. When you share more about yourself with others, they tend to like you more.

As explained here | Source link

#304 Satisfaction in your relationship is directly correlated with the amount of respect you show to your partner.

As explained here | Source link

#305 In healthy relationships, both partners take responsibility for conflict and relational success.

As explained here | Source link

#306 Being more sympathetic can enhance your creativity when it comes to problem-solving.

As explained here | Source link

#307 It takes fifty hours on average with someone before they move from acquaintance to casual friend.

As explained here | Source link

#308 25% of people don’t feel comfortable sharing their struggles with anyone

As explained here | Source link

#309 We far underestimate the positive impact of simple compliments on another person’s psyche and mood.

As explained here | Source link

#310 Individuals who gave or helped others experienced less stress.

As explained here | Source link

#311 Individuals who spend time giving to others perceive that they have more time available and this positively influences their overall stress levels.

As explained here | Source link

#312 When you constantly forgive someone and allow them to take advantage of you this will negatively impact your sense of self-respect.

As explained here | Source link

#313 Conversations beyond small talk are more enjoyable and can lead to stronger connections.

As explained here | Source link

#314 People who are more anxious and have lower self-esteem are more likely to exhibit heightened emotional reactivity.

As explained here | Source link

#315 When we become less emotionally reactive we experience greater happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#316 People who are more emotionally reactive are at a greater risk for experiencing anxiety, depression, and stress.

As explained here | Source link

#317 Anxious people are more likely to demonstrate jealousy, distrust, and even psychological abuse toward their partner.

As explained here | Source link

#318 Individuals who are strongly emotionally dependent on their partners are more likely to engage in negative impulsive behavior.

As explained here | Source link

#319 Emotionally dependent people have been found to be more aggressive.

As explained here | Source link

#320 When we receive kindness or witness other people show kindness, we are more likely to do the same or “pay it forward.”

As explained here | Source link

#321 Performing acts of kindness can positively affect our physical and mental well-being and even reduce social anxiety.

As explained here | Source link

#322 Those who experience love in their everyday interactions have higher levels of well-being that manifest in feelings of optimism and a sense of purpose.

As explained here | Source link

#323 People who experience more loneliness tend to have greater levels of cortisol. Cortisol is essentially our stress hormone.

As explained here | Source link

22 facts about confidence and happiness

#324 Chronically second-guessing yourself may lead you into an emotional trap where you feel anxious and procrastinate.

As explained here | Source link

#325 Constantly second-guessing yourself can lead to depression and lower your self-esteem.

As explained here | Source link

#326 Revising your initial decision makes it less likely for you to have made the accurate choice.

As explained here | Source link

#327 Building self-esteem results in greater satisfaction, happiness, and fewer negative moods.

As explained here | Source link

#328 Those with high self-esteem suffer less emotional distress when encountering negative feedback from others.

As explained here | Source link

#329 Negative self-talk predicts loneliness, especially if it involves a socially threatening mentality.

As explained here | Source link

#330 The intervention of negative self-talk leads to less anxiety and higher self-confidence, self-optimization, self-efficacy, and performance.

As explained here | Source link

#331 Leaders who perceive themselves to be effective leaders are more likely to demonstrate good leadership.

As explained here | Source link

#332 Harnessing your strengths improves confidence and sense of direction in life.

As explained here | Source link

#333 Research shows that self-assured daughters of feminist women are more likely to voice their opinions and stand up for themselves in their relationships.

As explained here | Source link

#334 Those who are not self-assured frequently doubt their own abilities and worry about their image despite being top achievers.

As explained here | Source link

#335 Self-esteem and confidence usually go hand in hand: research on athletes has shown that people with lower self-esteem have lower self-confidence.

As explained here | Source link

#336 Research has shown that self-confidence and self-esteem rise with age.

As explained here | Source link

#337 Positive self-talk intervention leads to less anxiety and higher self-confidence, self-optimization, self-efficacy, and performance.

As explained here | Source link

#338 Self-acceptance leads to higher self-esteem and general psychological well-being.

As explained here | Source link

#339 There’s a significant positive correlation between assertive behavior and self-esteem in adolescents.

As explained here | Source link

#340 Higher self-confidence predicts happiness, while lower self-confidence predicts higher levels of loneliness.

As explained here | Source link

#341 A 2007 study found that happier people are more confident in their thoughts.

As explained here | Source link

#342 Although there is some evidence that self-esteem is partly regulated by a certain gene, it is mostly affected by environmental factors.

As explained here | Source link

#343 Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been found to be successful in raising self-esteem in different age groups.

As explained here | Source link

#344 People with low self-esteem have a harder time accepting any positive feedback.

As explained here | Source link

#345 When it comes to driving ability, most people consider themselves above average. This is the Dunning-Kruger effect at play.

As explained here | Source link

34 facts about negativity and happiness

#346 Cynicism has been found in young children. Even young children believe others can act in their own self-interest.

As explained here | Source link

#347 Women who score higher on cynicism are at greater risk of coronary heart disease and have a higher mortality rate.

As explained here | Source link

#348 Those scoring higher on a cynicism questionnaire earn an average of $300 a month less than those scoring lower on cynicism.

As explained here | Source link

#349 If you are rude, then those around you are more likely to be in a negative mood and have lower levels of energy.

As explained here | Source link

#350 If people witness someone do something rude they are less likely to perform well on work-related tasks and they are more likely to avoid the rude person.

As explained here | Source link

#351 Those who tend to see the bad in any given situation are also more likely to have anxiety and depression.

As explained here | Source link

#352 Research indicates a positive association between pessimism and all-cause mortality.

As explained here | Source link

#353 Being judgmental doesn’t only cause us to make wrong assumptions or assessments; it can also negatively affect our mental wellbeing.

As explained here | Source link

#354 Having negative thoughts stuck in your head is associated with a greater likelihood of experiencing both a current depressive episode.

As explained here | Source link

#355 A study from 2018 showed that more negative language in the media led to a significant increase in participants’ mental and physiological issues.

As explained here | Source link

#356 Holding on to resentment makes you feel like whatever bad thing happened to you happened more recently.

As explained here | Source link

#357 If you allow a sense of learned helplessness to linger for too long you are likely to develop depression.

As explained here | Source link

#358 You are prone to experience greater levels of fear and anxiety if you allow learned helplessness to stick around.

As explained here | Source link

#359 Suppressing emotions has a negative impact on overall well-being.

As explained here | Source link

#360 Rumination and worry is correlated with anxiety and depression.

As explained here | Source link

#361 Individuals who score high on a scale measuring fear of success are far more likely to engage in self-sabotaging behaviors.

As explained here | Source link

#362 Individuals who self-sabotage are less likely to succeed in academic environments, which can influence their overall career path and future life choices.

As explained here | Source link

#363 What we perceive as a personal failure can impact our feelings of self-worth, reduce our self-esteem and dampen our mood.

As explained here | Source link

#364 Living in a state of overwhelm can negatively influence your memory and learning performance.

As explained here | Source link

#365 Individuals who are constantly living with a sense of urgency are at a higher risk for developing hypertension.

As explained here | Source link

#366 Negativity bias causes an increased startle response and heart rate.

As explained here | Source link

#367 High levels of reactance correspond with increased anger and negative thoughts.

As explained here | Source link

#368 Chronic variable stress reduces your cognitive functioning and puts you at a higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.

As explained here | Source link

#369 Self-blaming emotions are strongly associated with depressive mood disorders.

As explained here | Source link

#370 Consistent focus on stress and fear leads to an experience of anxiety.

As explained here | Source link

#371 The most common reason for people to not seek help for their mental health issues is that they don’t consider them to be significant enough.

As explained here | Source link

#372 28.18% of the population is suffering from depression and anxiety.

As explained here | Source link

#373 Fear of the unknown is one of the fundamental factors of anxiety which is why it can be hard to leave things up to fate.

As explained here | Source link

#374 Negative thinking is associated with reduced immune system function.

As explained here | Source link

#375 Individuals who ruminate on stressful life situations are more likely to experience depression and anxiety.

As explained here | Source link

#376 When you already feel happy, doing a lot of self-reflection can actually make it hard to stay happy.

As explained here | Source link

#377 Children who grow up with their inner experiences being invalidated are at a higher risk of developing borderline personality disorder.

As explained here | Source link

#378 We use anger to conceal feelings of shame, fear, or grief.

As explained here | Source link

#379 When we internalize our problems, we damage our self-esteem. But that’s not all; internalizing things impacts our overall mental health and destroys our relationships with others.

As explained here | Source link

10 facts about kindness and happiness

#380 People who are kinder have longer-lasting personal relationships and experience greater levels of happiness and success.

As explained here | Source link

#381 People are more likely to be nice to people who are nice to them.

As explained here | Source link

#382 Your “niceness” is the most important factor when it comes to establishing a serious and committed relationship.

As explained here | Source link

#383 The decision to forgive someone is correlated with greater forgiveness and happiness down the road.

As explained here | Source link

#384 Forgiveness decreases depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress in emotionally abused women.

As explained here | Source link

#385 Making donations to charity activates the reward center of the brain. This suggests that it is inherently rewarding.

As explained here | Source link

#386 Happier people tend to give more. So by becoming happier, you are also becoming a more generous person who will continue to do more good.

As explained here | Source link

#387 93% of people who volunteered the previous year feel happier as a result.

As explained here | Source link

#388 Only 15% of conversations include some form of the words “Thank you”.

As explained here | Source link

#389 Higher compassion is positively related to sustainable shopping behavior.

As explained here | Source link

30 facts about mindfulness and happiness

#390 Individuals who incorporate mindfulness in their lives are able to use healthier coping strategies when encountering stressors and experienced greater well-being.

As explained here | Source link

#391 Increased mindfulness results in fewer mental health issues and improved regulation of an individual’s behavior.

As explained here | Source link

#392 Medical students who do not participate in mindful practices are more likely to experience higher levels of stress and anxiety.

As explained here | Source link

#393 Educators who practice mindfulness are far less likely to experience burnout compared to those who do not incorporate mindfulness practices.

As explained here | Source link

#394 Mindfulness-based therapy is an effective intervention for treating anxiety and mood issues.

As explained here | Source link

#395 Being present in the moment helps to reduce worrying, rumination, and mood issues.

As explained here | Source link

#396 Present-moment awareness is associated with enhanced responses to daily stress and stressful events in the future.

As explained here | Source link

#397 Meditation and mindfulness techniques can offer a helpful way to cope with change, uncertainty, and crisis.

As explained here | Source link

#398 Being fully present for life’s experiences generates positive emotions and improves our psychological health.

As explained here | Source link

#399 Studies have shown the positive effects of mediation, and how those who practice meditation have an improved outlook, and as a result greater self-satisfaction and happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#400 Mindfulness is effective in reducing chronic worry.

As explained here | Source link

#401 Meditation reduces the level of grey matter atrophy in long term meditators.

As explained here | Source link

#402 Meditation has been found to be an effective treatment for sufferers of major depressive disorder (MDD) with an inadequate response to antidepressants.

As explained here | Source link

#403 Implementing breathing-based meditation results in reduced symptoms of PTSD.

As explained here | Source link

#404 Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) improves mind frames and outlooks for a plethora of issues.

As explained here | Source link

#405 Practicing mindfulness is related to greater emotion differentiation and fewer emotional difficulties in young adults.

As explained here | Source link

#406 A short mindfulness intervention can benefit emotion regulation on a neurobiological level – meaning that mindfulness can change how certain areas of the brain work.

As explained here | Source link

#407 If you invest in developing the skill of thinking less you can reduce your stress and stave off anxiety and depression.

As explained here | Source link

#408 If we can become more present and mindful of the present moment, we will be better able to cope with any stressors that do come our way and we will experience greater levels of positivity.

As explained here | Source link

#409 Being present in the moment is an evidence-based way to boost your psychological health.

As explained here | Source link

#410 Individuals who were more mindful and present were able to better regulate their mood than individuals who did not embrace mindfulness.

As explained here | Source link

#411 Self-reflection exercises improves your clinical competence and reduces stress levels.

As explained here | Source link

#412 Self-reflection is linked to personal growth and higher life satisfaction.

As explained here | Source link

#413 A daily meditation practice increases our feelings of positivity, reduces our symptoms of illness, increases our connection with ourselves and others, and promotes our overall well-being.

As explained here | Source link

#414 When we hum during our mantra or meditation practice, nitric oxide is released into the body, this helps muscle relaxation and blood flow.

As explained here | Source link

#415 Individuals who develop a sense of self-connection experience greater well-being.

As explained here | Source link

#416 Those who have a deeper personal insight also have stronger relationships.

As explained here | Source link

#417 Being able to regulate your emotions positively influences both your physical and mental well-being.

As explained here | Source link

#418 The more independent you consider your identity, the happier you can be.

As explained here | Source link

#419 Positive affirmations can help reduce negative thoughts and stimulate the reward pathways in our brains.

As explained here | Source link

10 facts about journaling and happiness

#420 Through months of ‘positive affect journaling’, medical patients showed reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms, and increased resilience.

As explained here | Source link

#421 Journaling has been found to have clinical benefits with patients suffering a range of conditions, from irritable bowel syndrome to lupus.

As explained here | Source link

#422 Journaling is the go-to writing medium when processing emotional hardships.

As explained here | Source link

#423 Expressive writing, especially for those who have undergone traumatic events, has both psychological and physical benefits.

As explained here | Source link

#424 Expressive writing and journaling results in improvements in health and well‐being.

As explained here | Source link

#425 Writing about a distressing event is associated with decreases in distress and perceived burden.

As explained here | Source link

#426 Expressive journaling for 20 minutes a day can lower your depression scores significantly.

As explained here | Source link

#427 Visual journaling can help decrease stress, anxiety and negative affect levels in medical students.

As explained here | Source link

#428 Journaling before going to bed can reduce bedtime worrying and help you fall asleep faster.

As explained here | Source link

#429 When people write down their fears and worries about an upcoming high-pressure situation, it serves to boost their actual performance.

As explained here | Source link

14 facts about passion and purpose and happiness

#430 Individuals who pursue their passion harmoniously and with more self-control experience an improvement in well-being.

As explained here | Source link

#431 Your sense of life purpose and the meaning you assign to your future may predict your psychological and physical well-being.

As explained here | Source link

#432 Those who have found a sense of purpose in life have a reduced risk of mortality.

As explained here | Source link

#433 Finding purpose and direction in life has also been shown to be protective against negative life events.

As explained here | Source link

#434 Individuals who harmoniously engage in an activity that they’re passionate about experience greater levels of hedonic and eudaimonic happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#435 Individuals who pursue their passion harmoniously and with more self-control experience an improvement in well-being.

As explained here | Source link

#436 Having a high sense of purpose in life is associated with a reduced risk of mortality.

As explained here | Source link

#437 Having or looking for a meaning in life predicts lower levels of suicidal ideation and lower suicide risk.

As explained here | Source link

#438 There’s a lower risk of death for people with a high sense of purpose in life. Mortality is about one-fifth lower for people reporting a strong sense of purpose.

As explained here | Source link

#439 Acting in alignment with your own values and forming your own way of thinking is what leads to well-being no matter what your cultural background may be.

As explained here | Source link

#440 Individuals who are intentional about their reasons for living and their purpose in life are less likely to be stressed, depressed, and suicidal.

As explained here | Source link

#441 Elderly individuals who are more purposeful in their day-to-day life have extended longevity relative to their peers.

As explained here | Source link

#442 When our values align with our country’s politics and social norms, we feel a greater sense of belonging and more profound happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#443 Performing daily value-based actions reduce stress and increase wellbeing.

As explained here | Source link

7 facts about health and happiness

#444 Depression decreases your overall quality of life similar to the effects of arthritis, diabetes, or high blood pressure.

As explained here | Source link

#445 People in good health engage in more routine behaviors.

As explained here | Source link

#446 People who are more conscientious also make healthier choices.

As explained here | Source link

#447 Burnout not only causes depressive symptoms and depersonalization but physical issues too.

As explained here | Source link

#448 Sleep deprivation is linked to many negative side-effects, amongst which depression, diabetes, and heart disease.

As explained here | Source link

#449 Sleep deprivation impairs the working memory of the human brain.

As explained here | Source link

#450 Practising optimism is linked to a 35% lower chance of heart disease, and a 14% lower chance of early death.

As explained here | Source link

38 facts about work and happiness

#451 Honesty with oneself is related to a greater sense of fulfillment in an individual’s career.

As explained here | Source link

#452 Being in an environment with lots of clutter reduces your ability to focus on the work you need to do.

As explained here | Source link

#453 Employee empowerment is strongly linked to their motivation.

As explained here | Source link

#454 Only 13% of workers from the United States find happiness in what they do for a living.

As explained here | Source link

#455 People with a higher education level have higher income levels and a higher probability of being employed, and thus, report higher levels of happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#456 Job satisfaction is positively related to life satisfaction, happiness, positive affect, and the absence of negative affect.

As explained here | Source link

#457 While income and wealth do contribute towards life satisfaction, it’s not the size of income, but rather the perceived financial situation and control over life that seem to make us happier.

As explained here | Source link

#458 The absolute income (the amount one earns) has no effect on a person’s happiness, but the ranked position of one’s income does.

As explained here | Source link

#459 Organizations learn more from their failures than their successes and that the magnitude of the failure is actually a good predictor of future success.

As explained here | Source link

#460 When individuals can’t understand their identity at work, the organization experiences reduced levels of cooperation and their performance suffers.

As explained here | Source link

#461 When you take the time to effectively recover after work, you are less likely to feel burnt out and more likely to experience job satisfaction.

As explained here | Source link

#462 Research shows that if you cannot decrease your stress response after work, your health will suffer.

As explained here | Source link

#463 Individuals who participate in self-growth measures are less likely to experience burnout at work.

As explained here | Source link

#464 Employee resilience and motivation increases in response to humble leadership. It’s a simple way to encourage satisfaction and buy-in.

As explained here | Source link

#465 Coworker relationships were far more linked to good health than a boss’ behavior and the work environment.

As explained here | Source link

#466 Happier workers help their colleagues 33% more compared to those who aren’t happy.

As explained here | Source link

#467 Problematic interpersonal relationships in the work environment significantly increase the odds that a person develops depression.

As explained here | Source link

#468 Having a highly competent boss is easily the largest positive influence on a typical worker’s level of job satisfaction.

As explained here | Source link

#469 The way people manage conflict tends to cause more tension than the conflict itself.

As explained here | Source link

#470 People that develop a strong character and coping mechanisms are less prone to high stress in the workplace and experience greater job satisfaction.

As explained here | Source link

#471 Leaders with high levels of personal integrity and a strong character inspire fewer unethical incidents in the workplace.

As explained here | Source link

#472 The ability to work remotely increases employee happiness by as much as 20%.

As explained here | Source link

#473 Millennials are happiest when working remotely.

As explained here | Source link

#474 Returning to office-based work after the pandemic reduces employee happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#475 Employee happiness decreases as commute times increase.

As explained here | Source link

#476 Happiness at work is significantly correlated to overall life happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#477 Individuals who emphasized perfection in the workplace experienced significantly increased stress levels at work and were more likely to burn out.

As explained here | Source link

#478 When our occupation provides personal meaning and fulfillment, we are more likely to adopt a positive self-image in our place of work.

As explained here | Source link

#479 Multitasking reduces productivity by up to 40%.

As explained here | Source link

#480 Productivity per hour drops sharply when you work over 50 hours per week. After 55 hours, the loss in productivity is so big that there’s no point to put in even more hours.

As explained here | Source link

#481 Curious people are more productive at work and achieve greater levels of success.

As explained here | Source link

#482 Employees are more likely to stay at their current employer and feel a greater sense of belonging when they feel respected.

As explained here | Source link

#483 Individuals who were more easily offended demonstrated poorer task performance at work and had more negative attitudes as perceived by their supervisor.

As explained here | Source link

#484 Only 3.71% of people feel comfortable talking with their manager(s) about their mental health issues.

As explained here | Source link

#485 Individuals who are more easygoing and let little things slide experience greater job satisfaction.

As explained here | Source link

#486 Job burnout is surging internationally.

As explained here | Source link

#487 Workers who avoid confrontation regarding conflict have higher levels of emotional exhaustion.

As explained here | Source link

#488 People who trust themselves are more likely to demonstrate professional confidence.

As explained here | Source link

22 facts about exercise and happiness

#489 Dancing is an excellent way to relieve stress and may have more benefits than any other form of exercise.

As explained here | Source link

#490 Walking alone or in a group can be used as a treatment for depression, and there is some evidence that walking can also prevent depression

As explained here | Source link

#491 Walking can be used as a potentially promising intervention to decrease psychological stress.

As explained here | Source link

#492 A lack of exercising may lead to severe chronic ilnesses.

As explained here | Source link

#493 There is a significant increase in happiness even if you just exercise 1 day a week and that even 10 minutes may be enough to make you happier.

As explained here | Source link

#494 Physical exercise is just as effective in reducing worrying as mindfulness meditation.

As explained here | Source link

#495 Good physical health is a strong predictor of happiness, but in turn, happiness can influence physical health.

As explained here | Source link

#496 Yoga promotes the creation and focus upon an atmosphere of mindfulness.

As explained here | Source link

#497 People who were inactive are more than twice as likely to be unhappy as those who remain active.

As explained here | Source link

#498 Physical activity has been linked to increased confidence and emotional stability, positive body image and improved self-control.

As explained here | Source link

#499 A study compared people walking with slumped posture and upright. The latter had much more positive memories of the walk.

As explained here | Source link

#500 Practicing self-reflection is considered necessary in order to improve physical and mental performance.

As explained here | Source link

#501 Incorporating laughter in workouts helps participants relax, strengthens muscles and improves mental health.

As explained here | Source link

#502 People with moderate to high activity levels have significantly higher life satisfaction and happiness than those with lower levels.

As explained here | Source link

#503 It takes just about five minutes after a moderate workout for your mood to improve.

As explained here | Source link

#504 Exercising regularly leads people to start eating healthier over time.

As explained here | Source link

#505 Doing regular exercise helps keep your immune system from weakening as you age, keeping you stronger and healthier for longer.

As explained here | Source link

#506 Cardio exercise improves working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control among adults who are at risk of cognitive decline.

As explained here | Source link

#507 Exercising increases self-esteem even if you don’t experience any physical changes.

As explained here | Source link

#508 Exercise is the best way to get rid of a bad mood.

As explained here | Source link

#509 People with moderate to high activity levels have significantly higher life satisfaction and happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#510 Even just five minutes of moderate exercise can cheer you up.

As explained here | Source link

8 facts about social media and happiness

#511 The dopamine we receive from someone retweeting a tweet or liking a social media post activates the same reward circuits in our brain as money, delicious food, and psychostimulant drugs.

As explained here | Source link

#512 Research suggests that social media use is linked to several mental health disorders.

As explained here | Source link

#513 Limiting your social media use can decrease depression and loneliness.

As explained here | Source link

#514 People who spent more time on highly visual social media are more likely to experience envy.

As explained here | Source link

#515 People comparing themselves to others on Facebook are more likely to suffer low self-esteem and depressive symptoms.

As explained here | Source link

#516 Looking at positive, self-compassion related social media posts can reduce negative mood

As explained here | Source link

#517 “Fitspiration”-type posts calling people to improve their personal fitness increased negative mood.

As explained here | Source link

#518 Pretending to be happy on social media can make you happier, but being honest gets you more support from friends.

As explained here | Source link

10 facts about diet and happiness

#519 Dark chocolate contains an antioxidant that gives you a burst of endorphins and serotonin.

As explained here | Source link

#520 Chewing gum alleviates poor mood and reduces the stress hormone cortisol.

As explained here | Source link

#521 A 2017 study on sensory-specific satiety found that the first bite of delicious food tastes better than all successive bites.

As explained here | Source link

#522 An unhealthy diet is linked to a higher likelihood of depression.

As explained here | Source link

#523 Vegans report higher happiness levels than meat-eaters (+7%).

As explained here | Source link

#524 Happier people are more likely to turn 100% vegan in the future.

As explained here | Source link

#525 Healthy eating correlated with improved mood and happiness, the biggest effect caused by eating vegetables.

As explained here | Source link

#526 People who share meals more often report feeling happier and more satisfied.

As explained here | Source link

#527 Healthy, quality food has been linked to happiness.

As explained here | Source link

#528 There’s a link between children who were brought up eating fast food, copious amounts of sugar-infused foods and drinks with an ADHD diagnosis.

As explained here | Source link

4 facts about nature and happiness

#529 Exposure to sunlight increases both serotonin and endorphins – two happiness hormones.

As explained here | Source link

#530 Experiencing a sense of awe reduces stress and increases satisfaction.

As explained here | Source link

#531 Spending time outdoors significantly reduces stress.

As explained here | Source link

#532 Spending time outdoors increases cognitive functioning, improves your immune system, and reduces stress and blood pressure.

As explained here | Source link

6 facts about goals and happiness

#533 People who view their goals as attainable have higher mental and emotional wellbeing.

As explained here | Source link

#534 People who persevere and work towards their goals and face challenges with a positive outlook are at a lower risk of depression, generalized anxiety, and panic disorder.

As explained here | Source link

#535 To live meaningfully, you must pursue a personal goal, but accomplishing that goal is less important than having them.

As explained here | Source link

#536 Goal setting is linked with improved self-confidence, motivation, and autonomy.

As explained here | Source link

#537 Striving towards self-congruent goals enhances the happiness that comes from making progress on them.

As explained here | Source link

#538 When we strive to meet unachievable goals, we increase our chances of anxiety and depression.

As explained here | Source link

19 miscellaneous facts about happiness

#539 People feel more energetic and happier after watching cat videos.

As explained here | Source link

#540 By getting a massage, your body releases oxytocin, as well as serotonin and dopamine.

As explained here | Source link

#541 Touching a teddy bear helps reduce existential anxiety.

As explained here | Source link

#542 Green colors in your environment improve your mood in several ways.

As explained here | Source link

#543 Freshly cut grass releases at least 5 chemicals with stress-relieving properties.

As explained here | Source link

#544 Research shows that our brains might just be wired for lazy behaviors.

As explained here | Source link

#545 Physical laziness is not only a natural but normal part of being human.

As explained here | Source link

#546 It’s been proven that people are typically happier planning vacations than after going on them.

As explained here | Source link

#547 People who receive unexpected windfalls like a lottery win or an inheritance are happier in the year after receiving the money, but this effect doesn’t last.

As explained here | Source link

#548 Attractive people tend to be happier. This effect is mediated by a number of factors, including relationships as well as cultural context.

As explained here | Source link

#549 Men are 250% more likely to associate sex with happiness than women are.

As explained here | Source link

#550 People who receive windfalls like winning a lottery also experience lower mental stress and report higher happiness in the following year.

As explained here | Source link

#551 73% of people actually experience anxiety when unable to find their phones.

As explained here | Source link

#552 Having any type of pet helps raise our self-esteem and provides us with social support.

As explained here | Source link

#553 Losing a dog can be as difficult as losing a human loved one.

As explained here | Source link

#554 When we share eye contact with our dogs, oxytocin is released in our brains.

As explained here | Source link

#555 As time goes on, the negative emotions associated with a memory seem to fade.

As explained here | Source link

#556 We’re more likely to consider positive interpretations of ourselves as accurate when compared with negative interpretations.

As explained here | Source link

#557 New Year’s resolutions are started with promises of dedication and determination, only for 43 percent to fall by the wayside within a month.

As explained here | Source link

💡 By the way: If you want to start feeling better and more productive, I’ve condensed the information of 100’s of our articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet here. 👇

Cheat Sheet Download Thumbnail Clean

This Cheat Sheet Will Help You Be Happier and More Productive

Thrive under stress and crush your goals with these 10 unique tips for your mental health.

Download The Free Cheat Sheet

If there’s a happiness fact that you would have liked to see, please let me know in the comments below! I aim to keep this page as fresh and updated as I can!

Hugo
Hugo Huijer AuthorLinkedIn Logo

Founder of Tracking Happiness, with over 100 interviews and a focus on practical advice, our content extends beyond happiness tracking. Hailing from the Netherlands, I’m a skateboarding enthusiast, marathon runner, and a dedicated data junkie, tracking my happiness for over a decade.

The post 557 Unique Happiness Facts, According to Science appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

]]> https://www.trackinghappiness.com/happiness-facts/feed/ 0 507 Happiness Studies: The Most Interesting Data From Trusted Studies https://www.trackinghappiness.com/happiness-studies/ https://www.trackinghappiness.com/happiness-studies/#respond Wed, 13 Sep 2023 09:55:03 +0000 https://www.trackinghappiness.com/?p=14688 We read, analyze and keep track of all the happiness studies we refer to in our articles. As a result, we've analyzed 284 happiness studies and listed them here, so you don't have to read them all!

The post 507 Happiness Studies: The Most Interesting Data From Trusted Studies appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

]]> We read, analyze and keep track of all the happiness studies we refer to in our articles. As a result, we’ve analyzed 507 studies, journals, and reports across 111 publications. This page lists every happiness study we’ve come across and includes the most interesting happiness facts that we found in the study. As a result, you don’t have to read through the whole thing!

Here are the top 5 publications with the most happiness studies in our database:

  1. NCBI: 98 happiness studies
  2. APA: 50 happiness studies
  3. Science Direct: 37 happiness studies
  4. Sage journals: 36 happiness studies
  5. Research Gate: 36 happiness studies

This page is updated every month with the latest studies and observations.

If you’re looking for a happiness study from a specific publication, please use the search function (ctrl + F) or the table of contents below!

63 studies about happiness in general

► Study #1
Study title:   Social Laughter Is Correlated With An Elevated Pain Threshold
Interesting finding:  Laughing improves wellbeing and mood, but it also increases endorphins and your pain threshold.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #2
Study title:   The Influence Of Sad Mood On Cognition
Interesting finding:  A sad mood may influence your memory and ability to recognize emotion-related facial expressions in others
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #3
Study title:   The Impact Of Positive Mood On Learning
Interesting finding:  A positive mood has been shown to improve your capacity to learn and helps you perform better than if you were in even a “neutral mood”.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #4
Study title:   Dynamic Spread Of Happiness In A Large Social Network: Longitudinal Analysis Over 20 Years In The Fr…
Interesting finding:  Research suggests that happiness and other good vibes are extremely contagious.
Published by:   BMJ

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #5
Study title:   Happiness Is A Personal(Ity) Thing
Interesting finding:  Some people are born with personalities capable of creating an ‘affective reserve.’ These people are able to use this reserve of happiness to cope better with life’s difficulties.
Published by:   University of Rochester

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #6
Study title:   The Remarkable Changes In The Science Of Subjective Well-Being
Interesting finding:  Happiness is higher among people with access to financial resources and social support.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #7
Study title:   Mental Illness And Unhappiness
Interesting finding:  Mental health is the strongest indicator of happiness.
Published by:   SSRN

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #8
Study title:   Needs And Subjective Well-Being Around The World
Interesting finding:  A person can still find ways to be happy even if their most basic needs are fulfilled only partially.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #9
Study title:   Meaning Of Happiness In Children: An Exploratory Study
Interesting finding:  Children find happiness in self-fulfillment through activities and hobbies, and relationships.
Published by:   Psychological Research and Intervention

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #10
Study title:   The Shifting Meaning Of Happiness
Interesting finding:  While younger people are more likely to associate happiness with excitement, older people are more likely to associate happiness with peacefulness.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #11
Study title:   Can People Really “Laugh At Themselves?”—Experimental And Correlational Evidence.
Interesting finding:  There’s a correlation between the ability to laugh at yourself and being a positive and happy person.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #12
Study title:   Affective Forecasting: The Perils Of Predicting Future Feelings
Interesting finding:  People often mispredict how much an anticipated event actually makes them happy.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #13
Study title:   The Broaden-And-Build Theory Of Positive Emotions
Interesting finding:  A positive mindset can be triggered, and more importantly, a positive mindset initiates more creativity and an urge to “play ball”.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #14
Study title:   I Am So Happy ’Cause Today I Found My Friend: Friendship And Personality As Predictors Of Happiness
Interesting finding:  Friendship variables accounted for 58% of the variance in people’s happiness.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #15
Study title:   Counting Blessings Versus Burdens: An Experimental Investigation Of Gratitude And Subjective Well-Be…
Interesting finding:  People who are encouraged to think of things they’re grateful for are approximately 10% happier than those who are not.
Published by:   Berkely University of California

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #16
Study title:   The Complex Relationship Between Education And Happiness: The Case Of Highly Educated Individuals In…
Interesting finding:  Education seems to affect happiness through income: the higher the education level, the higher the income.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #17
Study title:   Personality Similarity In Twins Reared Apart And Together.
Interesting finding:  A study of 217 identical twins and 114 fraternal twins found that DNA was responsible for 39% to 58% of our happiness.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #18
Study title:   Measuring Happiness: From Fluctuating Happiness To Authentic–Durable Happiness
Interesting finding:  A sense of inner peace is a dimension of durable and lasting happiness.
Published by:   Frontiers in Psychology

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #19
Study title:   Happiness & Health: The Biological Factors- Systematic Review Article
Interesting finding:  Research shows that genetic factors count for 35-50% of our happiness. It is believed that most of this effect comes from genes that code mood and emotional regulation.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #20
Study title:   The Meaning Of Happiness: Word Association Study Shows How People Describe Happiness
Interesting finding:  Out of all words, the word “Love” is most associated with the word “Happiness”.
Published by:   Tracking Happiness

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #21
Study title:   Individual Differences In Cognitive Emotion Regulation: Implications For Subjective And Psychologica…
Interesting finding:  Adaptive and effective emotion regulation strategies have been found to be positively correlated with subjective well-being and happiness.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #22
Study title:   Vacationers Happier, But Most Not Happier After A Holiday
Interesting finding:  Pre and post-holiday happiness is the same regardless of the length of the trip.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #23
Study title:   Controlling Happiness Correlates With 32% Higher Happiness (New Study Results)
Interesting finding:  89% of people think that happiness can be controlled.
Published by:   Tracking Happiness

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #24
Study title:   Spending Money On Others Promotes Happiness
Interesting finding:  Spending money on others promotes happiness more than spending money on oneself.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #25
Study title:   Not Always The Best Medicine: Why Frequent Smiling Can Reduce Wellbeing
Interesting finding:  Frequent smiling only makes you happier if you believe that a smile reflects happiness.
Published by:   Hong Kong University

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #26
Study title:   Creative Activities Promote Day-To-Day Wellbeing: Otago Research
Interesting finding:  Creativity on one day predicted happiness on the next.
Published by:   University of Otago

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #27
Study title:   Vanishing Time In The Pursuit Of Happiness
Interesting finding:  When we’re focused on happiness as a destination, we end up feeling like we have less time to enjoy it.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #28
Study title:   Vacationers Happier, But Most Not Happier After A Holiday
Interesting finding:  People are typically happier planning vacations than after going on them.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #29
Study title:   Altruism, Happiness, And Health: It’S Good To Be Good
Interesting finding:  Happier individuals tend to be healthier and live longer lives.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #30
Study title:   The Role Of Self-Esteem, Psychological Well – Being, Emotional Self – Efficacy, And Affect Balance O…
Interesting finding:  Psychological well-being, emotional self-efficacy, affect balance and self-esteem explain 51% of the total variance of happiness.
Published by:   Paperity

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #31
Study title:   Determinants Of Happiness In Undergraduate University Students
Interesting finding:  The old adage about money not buying happiness is only true if you already have enough of it; for others, financial security is an important contributor to happiness.
Published by:   Ingenta

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #32
Study title:   Be Rich or Be Good: The Interaction Between Prosociality and Socioeconomic Status in Predicting Pers…
Interesting finding:  Helping people, whether it’s a close friend or a stranger, leads to greater happiness.
Published by:   University of Cambridge

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #33
Study title:   Why Are Materialists Less Happy? The Role of Gratitude and Need Satisfaction in the Relationship bet…
Interesting finding:  People who place a high value on materialistic items have lower levels of life satisfaction.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #34
Study title:   How Do Simple Positive Activities Increase Well-Being?
Interesting finding:  Simple positive activities help make us happier. These activities could be engaging in kindness or keeping a gratitude diary.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #35
Study title:   The Benefits of Being Yourself: An Examination of Authenticity, Uniqueness, and Well-Being
Interesting finding:  Following your authenticity leads to greater wellbeing.
Published by:   University of Pennsylvania

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #36
Study title:   The Benefits of Frequent Positive Affect: Does Happiness Lead to Success?
Interesting finding:  When you are feeling happier, you are more likely to be successful and achieve the outcomes you desire in life.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #37
Study title:   A range of kindness activities boost happiness
Interesting finding:  When you prioritize your needs and show kindness to yourself you experience greater levels of happiness.
Published by:   TandFOnline

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #38
Study title:   Spending on experiences versus possessions advances more immediate happiness
Interesting finding:  xperiences bring us more happiness than stuff.
Published by:   Science Daily

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #39
Study title:   Being present and enjoying it: Dispositional mindfulness and savoring the moment are distinct, inter…
Interesting finding:  Savoring the moment leads to greater rates of positive emotion and reduced incidents of depression.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #40
Study title:   Life Goals Matter to Happiness: A Revision of Set-Point Theory
Interesting finding:  Having life goals is linked to happiness and subjective well-being.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #41
Study title:   Productive Activities and Psychological Well-Being Among Older Adults
Interesting finding:  If we want to fight off depression and maintain mental well-being throughout our life span, it’s important to find ways to contribute to the world around you instead of giving in to the allure of laziness and inaction.
Published by:   Oxford University Press

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #42
Study title:   Savoring Interventions Increase Positive Emotions After a Social-Evaluative Hassle
Interesting finding:  The short-term impact of savoring the moment allows you to identify, focus on, and increase positive emotions.
Published by:   Frontiers in Psychology

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #43
Study title:   Rise in worker happiness leads to an increase in productivity
Interesting finding:  Happier people are more productive and creative.
Published by:   Phys.org

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #44
Study title:   Emotional rescue: the role of emotional intelligence and emotional labour on well-being and job-stre…
Interesting finding:  Individuals who are more in touch with their own emotions and the emotions of others experience less stress and greater levels of well-being.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #45
Study title:   Being kind to yourself has mental and physical benefits
Interesting finding:  Being kind to ourselves has mental and physical benefits. For instance, practicing self-compassion exercises can lower the heart rate, which boosts our immunity.
Published by:   Science Daily

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #46
Study title:   The Authentic Personality: A Theoretical and Empirical Conceptualization and the Development of the…
Interesting finding:  Those who score higher on authenticity report greater happiness.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #47
Study title:   Neural mechanisms mediating optimism bias
Interesting finding:  When we’re optimistic and focus on abundance in the future it does create a neurological response that increases happiness in the emotional center of our brain.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #48
Study title:   Cultivating positive emotions to optimize health and well-being.
Interesting finding:  Individuals who focus on positive thoughts, especially regarding their future, are better equipped to cope with tough times.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #49
Study title:   Breaking the Stigma: De-stigmatizing Mental Illness Using Data From 5,521 Respondents
Interesting finding:  88% of respondents experience mental health issues
Published by:   Tracking Happiness

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #50
Study title:   Great expectations: A meta-analytic examination of optimism and hope.
Interesting finding:  Optimistic people tend to be happier, healthier, and cope better during tough times. They are also more persistent.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #51
Study title:   Successful pursuit of personal goals and subjective well-being.
Interesting finding:  There’s a positive feedback loop between progress and happiness. Making progress on your goals makes you feel happier and more satisfied with life. In turn, positive emotions motivate you to work on your goals and stay on task.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #52
Study title:   Psychological Flexibility as a Fundamental Aspect of Health
Interesting finding:  People who are more flexible in their thoughts and behavior tend to lead happier and healthier lives.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #53
Study title:   Lay Definitions of Happiness across Nations: The Primacy of Inner Harmony and Relational Connectedne…
Interesting finding:  Our definition of happiness is influenced by our cultural background.
Published by:   Frontiers in Psychology

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #54
Study title:   Happiness & Health: The Biological Factors- Systematic Review Article
Interesting finding:  Happiness is determined partially by your genetics and partially by external sources.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #55
Study title:   Neural correlates of gratitude
Interesting finding:  Shifting towards an attitude of gratitude will activate areas of your brain that help to produce dopamine.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #56
Study title:   Is happiness a cause of health?
Interesting finding:  Our happiness and our health are strongly correlated. In other words, not focusing on how to be happy could have negative implications on your health.
Published by:   TandFOnline

As referenced here | Source link

146 studies about behavior and happiness

► Study #57
Study title:   No Place Like Home: Home Tours Correlate With Daily Patterns Of Mood And Cortisol
Interesting finding:  A lack of organization increases cortisol levels and negatively impacts your mood.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #58
Study title:   Dopamine-Producing Areas Of The Brain Inspire Creativity
Interesting finding:  Having success while doing a puzzle releases dopamine in the brain.
Published by:   Medical Xpress

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #59
Study title:   An Environmental Approach To Positive Emotion: Flowers
Interesting finding:  People respond with much more happiness to receiving flowers than other thank you gifts.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #60
Study title:   Being Good, Doing Good: The Role Of Honesty And Integrity For Health
Interesting finding:  Individuals who prioritize honesty and integrity have healthier and longer lifespans.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #61
Study title:   Physical Order Produces Healthy Choices, Generosity, And Conventionality, Whereas Disorder Produces…
Interesting finding:  People who are in a more organized environment are more likely to choose healthier snacks than those in a disorganized environment.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #62
Study title:   Threat Detection: Behavioral Practices In Animals And Humans
Interesting finding:  Routines in life help manage stress and anxiety.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #63
Study title:   Decision Fatigue Exhausts Self-Regulatory Resources
Interesting finding:  Planning each day the night before increases productivity and frees up time.
Published by:   Psychology Today

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #64
Study title:   Optimism And Its Impact On Mental And Physical Well-Being
Interesting finding:  Those who choose to focus on the good adapt better to stressful situations.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #65
Study title:   Dispositional Optimism And All-Cause And Cardiovascular Mortality In A Prospective Cohort Of Elderly…
Interesting finding:  Those who expect good outcomes in life are less likely to pass away, especially from a cardiovascular cause.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #66
Study title:   Optimistic Expectancies And Cell-Mediated Immunity: The Role Of Positive Affect
Interesting finding:  Focusing on the positive can lead to a stronger immunity.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #67
Study title:   Consistent Routines May Ease Bipolar Disorder
Interesting finding:  Having structured routines can have a significant positive impact on your mental health, including improving bipolar disorder and preventing substance abuse.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #68
Study title:   Threat Detection: Behavioral Practices In Animals And Humans
Interesting finding:  Routine helps to make life feel more predictable, stable, and controllable, which can give a calming and anxiety-reducing effect.
Published by:   Tel Aviv University

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #69
Study title:   Health Benefits Of Having A Routine
Interesting finding:  People who lack structure in their life may be more likely to suffer from stress, poor sleep, poor eating, worsened physical condition and procrastination.
Published by:   Northwestern Medicine

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #70
Study title:   Science Says Having A Regular Bedtime Is Healthy For Adults, Too
Interesting finding:  Having a good routine can improve your quality of rest, which in turn can positively affect your mental sharpness, performance, emotional well-being, and energy level.
Published by:   Healthline

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #71
Study title:   Self-Discipline Outdoes Iq In Predicting Academic Performance Of Adolescents
Interesting finding:  Self-discipline has a stronger effect on academic performance than IQ.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #72
Study title:   Predicting Success In Online Psychology Courses: Self-Discipline And Motivation
Interesting finding:  Self-discipline and motivation are the only predictors of success in an online psychology course.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #73
Study title:   The Relationship Between Self-Control And Health: The Mediating Effect Of Avoidant Coping
Interesting finding:  Lower self-control is related to unhealthy coping mechanisms, which in turn causes worse health outcomes.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #74
Study title:   Yes, But Are They Happy? Effects Of Trait Self-Control On Affective Well-Being And Life Satisfaction
Interesting finding:  Self‐control positively contributes to happiness through avoiding and dealing with motivational conflict.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #75
Study title:   High Self-Esteem Buffers Negative Feedback: Once More With Feeling
Interesting finding:  College students who based their self-worth on external sources, such as appearance and approval from others, have higher levels of drug and alcohol use.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #76
Study title:   Authentic Happiness: Using The New Positive Psychology To Realize Your Potential For Lasting Fulfill…
Interesting finding:  People who have identified the things they’re good at and actively pursue them experience more positive emotions, increased engagement, and higher levels of well-being.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #77
Study title:   Looking For Adolescents’ Well-Being: Self-Efficacy Beliefs As Determinants Of Positive Thinking And…
Interesting finding:  Self-efficacy is proven to predict happiness and positive thinking in adolescents, an age group that is notorious for their lack of optimism.
Published by:   University of Cambridge

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #78
Study title:   The Interplay Between Motivation, Self-Efficacy, And Approaches To Studying
Interesting finding:  University students with high levels of self-efficacy are more likely to adopt a deep and strategic approach to studying, which will lead to improved results.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #79
Study title:   Unplugging Or Staying Connected? Examining The Nature, Antecedents, And Consequences Of Profiles Of…
Interesting finding:  Sufficient rest and being “unplugged” is crucial to your health.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #80
Study title:   People Who Give, Live Longer: U-M Study Shows
Interesting finding:  Elderly couples who give practical support to others have a decreased risk of dying.
Published by:   University of Michigan

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #81
Study title:   Can Volunteering In Later Life Reduce The Risk Of Dementia? A 5-Year Longitudinal Study Among Volunt…
Interesting finding:  Older people who volunteer have reduced risk of dementia and fewer cognitive problems.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #82
Study title:   On The Constructive Episodic Simulation Of Past And Future Events
Interesting finding:  Our thoughts about the future are based on past experiences, but it’s important to let go of the past to make room for new possibilities.
Published by:   University of Cambridge

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #83
Study title:   Reminiscing About Positive Memories Buffers Acute Stress Responses
Interesting finding:  Positive reminiscence evokes positive emotions that have a restorative and protective effect on our brain in the face of stress.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #84
Study title:   Is Crying Good For You?
Interesting finding:  Researchers have confirmed that crying releases feel-good chemicals such as oxytocin that ease emotional and physical pain.
Published by:   Harvard Health Publishing

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #85
Study title:   Buffering Role Of Locus Of Control On Stress Among The College/University Teachers Of Bahawalpur
Interesting finding:  People with an internal locus of control perform better academically and are more effective learners, and are more resistant to stress.
Published by:   Pakistan Journal of Commerce and Social Sciences

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #86
Study title:   Impact Of Positive Self-Talk
Interesting finding:  Positive self-talk has been regarded as a “skill” that can change even young children’s perspectives and impact how they deal with circumstances that involve themselves and others.
Published by:   University of Lethbridge

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #87
Study title:   Consumerism And Well-Being In India And The Uk: Identity Projection And Emotion Regulation As Underl…
Interesting finding:  A 2011 study revealed that consumerism is linked to lower well-being.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #88
Study title:   How Possibly Do Leisure And Social Activities Impact Mental Health Of Middle-Aged Adults In Japan?:…
Interesting finding:  Creativity, hobbies, and other leisure activities have been shown in studies to improve general wellbeing.
Published by:   PLOS ONE

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #89
Study title:   Self-Defeating Humour Promotes Psychological Well-Being, Study Reveals
Interesting finding:  The ability to laugh at yourself predicts a number of very positive character traits.
Published by:   Universidad de Granada

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #90
Study title:   Dimensions Of Perfectionism, Unconditional Self-Acceptance, And Depression
Interesting finding:  Learning to accept yourself leads to lower levels of depression and perfectionism.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #91
Study title:   Defend Your Research: The More People Want Something, The Less They’Ll Like It
Interesting finding:  When people are offered a reward of some kind, which they are then denied, their desire to get the reward increases.
Published by:   Harvard Business Review

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #92
Study title:   Decision Speed And Choice Regret: When Haste Feels Like Waste
Interesting finding:  Rushed decisions lead to regret more often.
Published by:   Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #93
Study title:   Are Happier Nations More Responsible? Examining The Link Between Happiness And Sustainability
Interesting finding:  There might be a link between a country’s happiness and its sustainability rankings.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #94
Study title:   Gratitude Influences Sleep Through The Mechanism Of Pre-Sleep Cognitions
Interesting finding:  Practicing gratitude predicts greater sleep quality and sleep duration, and less sleep latency and daytime dysfunction.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #95
Study title:   Subjective Well-Being And Its Sub-Scales Among Students: The Study Of Role Of Creativity And Self-Ef…
Interesting finding:  A 2014 study among university students found a significant relationship between creativity and subjective, emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #96
Study title:   Creative Occupations And Subjective Wellbeing
Interesting finding:  People with creative occupations like town planners, architects, and graphic designers showed higher levels of well-being compared to those with non-creative professions like bankers, insurance agents, and accountants.
Published by:   Nesta

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #97
Study title:   Creative Days: A Daily Diary Study Of Emotion, Personality, And Everyday Creativity.
Interesting finding:  People are more creative on days when they experienced more positive emotions.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #98
Study title:   Stability Of The Positive Mood Effect On Creativity When Task Switching, Practice Effect, And Test I…
Interesting finding:  People perform better in a creativity task when they are in an experimentally induced positive mood.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #99
Study title:   Self-Care And Well-Being In Mental Health Professionals: The Mediating Effects Of Self-Awareness And…
Interesting finding:  A 2010 study found a significant correlation between self-awareness and well-being in mental health professionals.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #100
Study title:   Compassion Fatigue Among Healthcare, Emergency And Community Service Workers: A Systematic Review
Interesting finding:  Being too compassionate to others is not good. Spending too much of your own energy on others can result in stress.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #101
Study title:   Nostalgia: Past, Present, And Future
Interesting finding:  Thinking back on past memories that you like is a great way to be happy.
Published by:   University of Southampton

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #102
Study title:   Enhancing Well-Being And Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A P…
Interesting finding:  Positive psychology interventions significantly enhance well-being and decrease depressive symptoms.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #103
Study title:   Happiness, Creative Ideation, And Locus Of Control
Interesting finding:  Internal locus of control has been found to be positively correlated with happiness.
Published by:   TandFOnline

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #104
Study title:   Towards A Theory Of Minimalism And Wellbeing
Interesting finding:  People who identify as minimalists report positive changes to different aspects of their lives such as autonomy, competence, mental space, awareness, and positive emotions.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #105
Study title:   Interactions Of Top-Down And Bottom-Up Mechanisms In Human Visual Cortex
Interesting finding:  Clutter affects the visual cortex which causes the other regions of the brain to struggle in focusing and processing information.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #106
Study title:   Use Of Written Cognitive–Behavioural Therapy Self-Help Materials To Treat Depression
Interesting finding:  Self-help books are effective at helping us learn new life skills, like assertiveness, problem-solving and even tidiness.
Published by:   University of Cambridge

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #107
Study title:   The Power Of Positive Thinking: Pathological Worry Is Reduced By Thought Replacement In Generalized…
Interesting finding:  Positive self-talk and visualization results in experiencing significantly fewer intrusive negative thoughts.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #108
Study title:   Lying Less Linked To Better Health, New Research Finds
Interesting finding:  An experiment studied the difference between participants instructed to tell the truth and others with no such instruction. Those who avoided lies found that their mental health, physical health and relationships were significantly improved.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #109
Study title:   Soothing Oneself And Resisting Self-Attacks: The Treatment Of Two Intrapersonal Deficits In Depressi…
Interesting finding:  Practicing self-soothing self-talk reduces shame and skin complaints in people suffering from acne.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #110
Study title:   Looking Back At Facebook Content And The Positive Impact Upon Wellbeing: Exploring Reminiscing As A…
Interesting finding:  Look back on photos or other media that remind you of good times is an effective way to self-soothe.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #111
Study title:   Power Posing: Brief Nonverbal Displays Affect Neuroendocrine Levels And Risk Tolerance
Interesting finding:  The act of power posing – adopting open, expansive poses that signal power – for only 1 minute decreases the stress hormone cortisol and increases feelings of power and tolerance for risk.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #112
Study title:   An Examination Of Patience And Well-Being
Interesting finding:  Increased patience can alleviate depression.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #113
Study title:   Assertiveness And Self-Esteem In Indian Adolescents
Interesting finding:  A 2017 study found a significant positive correlation between assertive behavior and self-esteem in adolescents.
Published by:   Galore International Journal of Health Sciences and Research

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #114
Study title:   Resilience In Cancer Patients
Interesting finding:  Resilience can lead to favorable psychological and treatment-related outcomes in cancer patients.
Published by:   Frontiers in Psychology

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #115
Study title:   Relation Of Resilience Whit Sport Achievement And Mental Health In A Sample Of Athletes
Interesting finding:  A 2010 study conducted on a sample of athletes showed that resilience was positively associated with sport achievement and psychological well-being.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #116
Study title:   Resilience: Enhancing Well-Being Through The Positive Cognitive Triad
Interesting finding:  People with higher levels of resilience report significantly higher levels of life satisfaction and lower levels of depression.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #117
Study title:   Of Sad Men And Dark Comedies: Mood And Gender Effects On Entertainment Media Preferences
Interesting finding:  A 2010 study found that people tend to consume media that matches their mood.
Published by:   TandFOnline

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #118
Study title:   Elderly Viewers’ Responses To Televised Portrayals Of Old Age: Empathy And Mood Management Versus So…
Interesting finding:  Lonely people receive a mood boost from watching lonely characters on TV because this allows them to engage in self-enhancing downward social comparisons.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #119
Study title:   The Acute Effects Of Humor And Exercise On Mood And Anxiety
Interesting finding:  Watching a good comedy can have an even greater mood-lifting and anxiety-lowering effect than exercise.
Published by:   NRPA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #120
Study title:   Viewing Violent News On Social Media Can Cause Trauma
Interesting finding:  Simply following the news on social media can trigger secondary traumatic stress in anyone.
Published by:   Science Daily

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #121
Study title:   How Do Thoughts And Emotions Affect Health?
Interesting finding:  People who were asked to ruminate on the good things that happened to them were healthier and happier, would sleep better, and even engage in exercise more.
Published by:   University of Minnesota

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #122
Study title:   Insight, Rumination, And Self-Reflection As Predictors Of Well-Being
Interesting finding:  Self-reflection is a significant predictor of personal growth, which is a dimension of psychological well-being.
Published by:   TandFOnline

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #123
Study title:   Independent Self-Construal, Self-Reflection, And Self-Rumination: A Path Model For Predicting Happin…
Interesting finding:  Meaningful self-reflection can boost happiness levels.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #124
Study title:   A Meta-Analysis Of The Facial Feedback Literature: Effects Of Facial Feedback On Emotional Experienc…
Interesting finding:  Our facial expressions can have a small impact on our feelings and mental state, but the effect isn’t big enough to facilitate a meaningful and lasting change in our happiness levels.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #125
Study title:   Creativity And Happiness
Interesting finding:  Being creative can increase your happiness on a day-to-day basis, and in the long term.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #126
Study title:   Health Benefits Of Volunteering In The Wisconsin Longitudinal Study
Interesting finding:  People who volunteer consistently report to be healthier both physically and mentally than those who do not.
Published by:   University of Rochester

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #127
Study title:   Happiness And Self-Esteem: Can One Exist Without The Other?
Interesting finding:  Optimism is strongly related to both self-esteem and happiness.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #128
Study title:   Student Perceptions Of Responsibility For Their Own Learning And For Supporting Peers’ Learning In A…
Interesting finding:  Developing personal responsibility positively contributes to one’s well-being, self-esteem, and psychological health by empowering individuals to take ownership over behaviors and actions.
Published by:   Education Sciences

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #129
Study title:   Locus Of Control
Interesting finding:  Individuals with a greater internal locus of control have higher self-confidence and are more resistant to stress.
Published by:   Psychology Today

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #130
Study title:   Making Up People—The Effect Of Identity On Performance In A Modernizing Society
Interesting finding:  How positively you identify yourself, especially relative to others, significantly impacts your performance.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #131
Study title:   Finding Silver Linings: A Preliminary Examination Of Benefit Finding In Youth With Chronic Pain
Interesting finding:  Adolescents with chronic pain report better mental health, less pain, and a higher quality of life after intentionally looking on the bright side.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #132
Study title:   Application Of Paralysis Analysis Syndrome In Customer Decision Making
Interesting finding:  The more you think about something, the less satisfied you are with your choice in the end.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #133
Study title:   On bad decisions and deciding badly: When intention–behavior inconsistency is regrettable
Interesting finding:  Research has found that when you make a bad decision it is a sign you are not acting consistently with your definition of good behavior.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #134
Study title:   Reading skill and structural brain development
Interesting finding:  Not only is reading a way to relax the central nervous system, but it strengthens our brain.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #135
Study title:   Reading literary fiction improves theory of mind
Interesting finding:  if you choose to read literary fiction, your personal involvement with the characters promotes a more empathetic leaning.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #136
Study title:   Stress Management Strategies For Students: The Immediate Effects Of Yoga, Humor, And Reading On Stre…
Interesting finding:  Reading a book helps lower blood pressure and reduce stress.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #137
Study title:   Health Benefits of Walking in Nature: A Randomized Controlled Study Under Conditions of Real-Life St…
Interesting finding:  Getting out in nature not only improves your mood, but it also has restorative effects.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #138
Study title:   Strengthening personal growth: The effects of a strengths intervention on personal growth initiative
Interesting finding:  Individuals who participate in interventions emphasizing personal growth experience increased levels of confidence.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #139
Study title:   Effects of a personal growth group on positive and negative self-references.
Interesting finding:  Individuals who participate in personal growth groups are more likely to speak positively about themselves.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #140
Study title:   Awe and humility
Interesting finding:  Experiencing awe and feeling physically smaller than an entity before us keeps us humble. It allows us to see our strengths and weaknesses in a more balanced, accurate way.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #141
Study title:   An Upward Spiral Between Gratitude and Humility
Interesting finding:  Gratitude and humility are mutually reinforcing, meaning gratitude fuels humility (and vice versa).
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #142
Study title:   The slow decay and quick revival of self-deception
Interesting finding:  Self-deception diminishes over time, but only when self-deceivers are repeatedly confronted with evidence of the true situation.
Published by:   Frontiers in Psychology

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #143
Study title:   The Neuroscience of Growth Mindset and Intrinsic Motivation
Interesting finding:  Our brains are plastic and can be trained to lean more towards a growth mindset than a fixed mindset.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #144
Study title:   The Benefits of Being Yourself: An Examination of Authenticity, Uniqueness, and Well-Being
Interesting finding:  When we are more authentic our motivation for personal growth is greater.
Published by:   University of Pennsylvania

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #145
Study title:   Smiling sincerely or grimacing can significantly reduce the pain of needle injection
Interesting finding:  Scientists found that smiling is an effective pain reduction strategy.
Published by:   University of California, Irvine

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #146
Study title:   Development of emotional stability scale
Interesting finding:  Emotionally stable people tend to have a balanced way of perceiving life’s problems, equipping them with the perspective they need to endure all sorts of hardship.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #147
Study title:   How Breath-Control Can Change Your Life: A Systematic Review on Psycho-Physiological Correlates of S…
Interesting finding:  Deep breathing exercises are linked to emotional control and physical well-being.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #148
Study title:   Self-expansion motivation improves cross-group interactions and enhances self-growth
Interesting finding:  When you seek self-expansion you will experience more quality interactions and develop more meaningful interpersonal relationships.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #149
Study title:   Effects of Diversity Experiences on Critical Thinking Skills: Who Benefits?
Interesting finding:  If you want to improve your critical thinking skills you need to be exposed to diverse experiences in your life.
Published by:   TandFOnline

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #150
Study title:   Life satisfaction linked to the diversity of nature experiences and nature views from the window
Interesting finding:  Exposing yourself to new environments significantly enhanced life satisfaction relative to those who never changed their surroundings.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #151
Study title:   Procrastination, Distress and Life Satisfaction across the Age Range – A German Representative Commu…
Interesting finding:  If you procrastinate getting your life organized, you will experience higher levels of anxiety, stress, depression, and fatigue.
Published by:   PLOS ONE

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #152
Study title:   Prefrontal Executive Control Rescues Risk for Anxiety Associated with High Threat and Low Reward Bra…
Interesting finding:  When you challenge yourself, you activate portions of your brain that will help prevent anxiety and depression.
Published by:   Oxford University Press

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #153
Study title:   Enhancing Undergraduate Student Success in STEM Fields through Growth-Mindset and Grit
Interesting finding:  Students are more likely to succeed in their studies if they cultivated a growth mindset and became comfortable with the idea of being challenged.
Published by:   MDPI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #154
Study title:   The role of Hope in subsequent health and well-being for older adults: An outcome-wide longitudinal…
Interesting finding:  Hope is associated with better physical and psychological wellbeing, and better social wellbeing and less psychological stress.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #155
Study title:   In defence of thought stopping
Interesting finding:  Thought-stopping has been proven to be a good coping mechanism tool.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #156
Study title:   Attributions and affirmations for overcoming anxiety and depression
Interesting finding:  Individuals who utilize self-affirmations experience reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #157
Study title:   Self-affirmation activates brain systems associated with self-related processing and reward and is r…
Interesting finding:  Individuals who use self-affirmations have more activation in areas of the brain involved in processing our sense of self and our orientation towards our future.
Published by:   Oxford University Press

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #158
Study title:   Consequences of Repression of Emotion: Physical Health, Mental Health and General Well Being
Interesting finding:  Individuals who repress their emotions are more likely to experience negative physical, mental health, and general well-being issues.
Published by:   Open Access Pub

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #159
Study title:   Psychologists find the meaning of aggression: ‘Monty Python’ scene helps research
Interesting finding:  Not acknowledging difficult emotions actually makes those emotions stronger.
Published by:   Science Daily

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #160
Study title:   The Happiness-To-Consumption Ratio: An Alternative Approach In The Quest For Happiness
Interesting finding:  We gain happiness from consumption up to a certain point. Thereafter, our happiness starts to fall.
Published by:   SCIELO

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #161
Study title:   Examining Hope as a Transdiagnostic Mechanism of Change across Anxiety Disorders and CBT Treatment P…
Interesting finding:  There’s a strong link between hope and lower levels of anxiety and stress.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #162
Study title:   Impact of emotional approach coping and hope on PTSD and depression symptoms in a trauma exposed sam…
Interesting finding:  Adaptive coping strategies, such as problem-solving and proactive coping, are linked to higher levels of hope.
Published by:   TandFOnline

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #163
Study title:   Optimism is associated with exceptional longevity in 2 epidemiologic cohorts of men and women
Interesting finding:  Being hopeful is linked with an 11 to 15 percent longer life span, with hopeful people being more likely to live to the age of 85 and beyond!
Published by:   National Academy of Sciences

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #164
Study title:   Behavioral and neural correlates of delay of gratification 40 years later
Interesting finding:  Children who exhibit better self-discipline are more likely to be successful as adults regardless of their IQ score or socioeconomic background.
Published by:   National Academy of Sciences

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #165
Study title:   Self-affirmation activates brain systems associated with self-related processing and reward and is r…
Interesting finding:  Individuals who use self-affirmations had more activation in areas of the brain involved in processing our sense of self and our orientation towards our future.
Published by:   Oxford University Press

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #166
Study title:   Lifestyle and Life Satisfaction: The Role of Delayed Gratification
Interesting finding:  A healthy lifestyle causes life satisfaction and happiness, not the other way around.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #167
Study title:   How Decisiveness, Self-Efficacy, Curiosity and Independent and Interdependent Self-Construals Are Re…
Interesting finding:  Effective decision-making is correlated with high levels of hope for the future.
Published by:   MDPI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #168
Study title:   Optimism
Interesting finding:  Optimistic people are more proactive and experience lower levels of avoidance, or disengagement styles of coping.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #169
Study title:   Relation between cognitive and behavioral strategies and future change in common mental health probl…
Interesting finding:  People who are more perseverant are much less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #170
Study title:   Classrooms: Goals, structures, and student motivation.
Interesting finding:  Students are much more likely to persevere when they are focused on personal growth rather than trying to do better than others.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #171
Study title:   Wandering mind not a happy mind
Interesting finding:  47% of our time is spent thinking about what isn’t going on at the present moment.
Published by:   Harvard Health Publishing

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #172
Study title:   Gratitude across the life span: Age differences and links to subjective well-being
Interesting finding:  Levels of gratitude change across a life span, with older adults being found to have the greatest gratitude compared with younger people and middle-aged adults.
Published by:   TandFOnline

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #173
Study title:   Feeling young at heart may help you live longer
Interesting finding:  There is a relationship between self-perceived age and cardiovascular death rates. Researchers hypothesize that feeling more youthful leads to better health habits, such as exercising and eating healthy.
Published by:   Harvard Health Publishing

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #174
Study title:   Perfectionism Is Increasing Over Time: A Meta-Analysis of Birth Cohort Differences From 1989 to 2016
Interesting finding:  Perfectionists are more likely to have high blood pressure, which may lead to cardiovascular complications.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #175
Study title:   Optimism is associated with exceptional longevity in 2 epidemiologic cohorts of men and women
Interesting finding:  People who have higher levels of optimism have a longer life span, and a greater chance of living past 85 years old.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #176
Study title:   The Wick in the Candle of Learning: Epistemic Curiosity Activates Reward Circuitry and Enhances Memo…
Interesting finding:  As we increase our knowledge base, our curiosity seems to dissipate. Adults tend to feel that they “know most things” and lose that keen interest as their understanding broadens.
Published by:   SSRN

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #177
Study title:   Curiosity and Exploration: Facilitating Positive Subjective Experiences and Personal Growth Opportun…
Interesting finding:  People who take the time to be curious report greater levels of happiness.
Published by:   TandFOnline

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #178
Study title:   Cognitive biases predict symptoms of depression, anxiety and wellbeing above and beyond neuroticism…
Interesting finding:  A susceptibility to cognitive biases positively correlates with depression and anxiety.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #179
Study title:   Life events and hopelessness depression: The influence of affective experience
Interesting finding:  Adverse life events combined with a negative cognitive style can lead to hopelessness.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #180
Study title:   Sympathy and personal distress: Development, gender differences, and interrelations of indexes.
Interesting finding:  Females are generally better at exhibiting sympathy relative to males.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #181
Study title:   Psychological Stress and the Human Immune System: A Meta-Analytic Study of 30 Years of Inquiry
Interesting finding:  Reople who actively focus on the good have a better immune response than those who focus on their stressors.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #182
Study title:   Positive Thoughts or Cognitive Balance as a Moderator of the Negative Life Events–Dysphoria Relation…
Interesting finding:  Individuals who actively focus on the positive are better at dampening their stress response when bad things happen.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #183
Study title:   Resilience, Self regulation, and Letting go
Interesting finding:  People who learn to let go and become appropriately careless are better at self-regulating and more resilient in the face of challenges.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #184
Study title:   Cognitive and attentional mechanisms in delay of gratification
Interesting finding:  Children who are able to delay gratification are found to be more successful and resilient throughout their lifespan.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #185
Study title:   ProQuest
Interesting finding:  Individuals who pursue simpler lifestyles experience greater relationship satisfaction and report improved mental health.
Published by:   ProQuest

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #186
Study title:   Does self-improvement explain well-being in life and at workplace? Analysis based on selected measur…
Interesting finding:  A readiness for self-improvement correlates with life accomplishments and future prospects.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #187
Study title:   Kindness as a Stress Reduction–Health Promotion Intervention: A Review of the Psychobiology of Carin…
Interesting finding:  Individuals who prioritize kindness to others are more resilient against stress.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #188
Study title:   Effect of politeness strategies in dialogue on negotiation outcomes
Interesting finding:  People who are more polite are likely to have better outcomes in negotiations.
Published by:   Association for Computing Machinery

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #189
Study title:   Social media use and anxiety in emerging adults
Interesting finding:  Consistent use of social media is linked to anxiety that’s rooted in our thought processing.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #190
Study title:   Humility, Personality, and Psychological Functioning
Interesting finding:  Individuals who emphasize humility have a greater “love of life” with lower levels of anxiety.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #191
Study title:   The emotionally intelligent decision maker: emotion-understanding ability reduces the effect of inci…
Interesting finding:  People with high levels of emotional intelligence can compartmentalize their emotions and recognize them as irrelevant to the decision-making process.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #192
Study title:   The Science and Practice of Self-Control
Interesting finding:  Students with better grades also have higher levels of self-discipline but not necessarily higher IQ levels.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #193
Study title:   The impact of emotion regulation and mental health difficulties on health behaviours during COVID19
Interesting finding:  People who acknowledge their emotions are better able to avoid both psychiatric and physical illness.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #194
Study title:   Is seeking bad mood cognitively demanding? Contra-hedonic orientation and working-memory capacity in…
Interesting finding:  People who are in a bad mood have more difficulty remembering things.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #195
Study title:   The benefits of self-forgiveness on mental health: Evidence from correlational and experimental rese…
Interesting finding:  Individuals who practiced self-forgiveness experienced improved mental health.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #196
Study title:   The bidirectional relation between emotional reactivity and sleep: From disruption to recovery.
Interesting finding:  Poor sleep is more likely to cause you to be very emotionally reactive.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #197
Study title:   Accountability as a Key Virtue in Mental Health and Human Flourishing
Interesting finding:  Accountability is a virtue that has a significant yet unexamined impact on our psychiatry.
Published by:   John Hopkins University

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #198
Study title:   Effects of proactive decision making on life satisfaction
Interesting finding:  Proactive decision-making fosters a greater belief in one’s abilities and increases satisfaction with one’s decision and with life more generally.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #199
Study title:   Vitamin D and Depression: A Critical Appraisal of the Evidence and Future Directions
Interesting finding:  Vitamin D deficiency has been correlated with depression.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #200
Study title:   Coping With COVID-19: The Benefits of Anticipating Future Positive Events and Maintaining Optimism
Interesting finding:  Anticipating a positive future during the pandemic helped increase positive emotions in stressful conditions.
Published by:   Frontiers in Psychology

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #201
Study title:   Prospect Theory: An Analysis of Decision under Risk
Interesting finding:  People are more willing to take risks to avoid a loss than to take on a similar risk to achieve a gain.
Published by:   JSTOR

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #202
Study title:   Need for Approval and Children’s Well-Being
Interesting finding:  Children who experience negative approval endure heightened emotional distress, whereas children who experience positive approval elicit more socially competent behavior.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

29 studies about mental traits and happiness

► Study #203
Study title:   The Physiology Of (Dis)Honesty: Does It Impact Health?
Interesting finding:  Dishonesty results in increased cortisol reactivity. And consequently, your blood pressure and heart rate will increase.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #204
Study title:   The Shame Of Failure: Examining The Link Between Fear Of Failure And Shame
Interesting finding:  People who experience higher fear of failure also report greater shame upon a perceived failure experience.
Published by:   University of Rochester

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #205
Study title:   Perfectionism, Fear Of Failure, And Affective Responses To Success And Failure: The Central Role Of…
Interesting finding:  The fear of experiencing shame and embarrassment plays a central role in the relationship between perfectionism and fear of failure.
Published by:   University of Kent

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #206
Study title:   Sociotropic Personality Traits Positively Correlate With The Severity Of Social Anxiety
Interesting finding:  Research on sociotropy has shown that sociotropic people have a higher risk of depression and social anxiety disorder.
Published by:   South African Journal of Psychiatry

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #207
Study title:   On The Experience Of Awaiting Uncertain News
Interesting finding:  Worrying is associated with several mental health disorders and is detrimental to your physical health.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #208
Study title:   Students Under Lockdown: Comparisons Of Students’ Social Networks And Mental Health Before And Durin…
Interesting finding:  Those who worry more about the health of their family and friends are more likely to experience depression and higher stress levels.
Published by:   PLOS ONE

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #209
Study title:   Haunts Or Helps From The Past: Understanding The Effect Of Recall On Current Self-Control.
Interesting finding:  Dwelling on our past mistakes can negatively affect our present behavior.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #210
Study title:   Rumination As A Vulnerability Factor To Depression In Adolescents In Mainland China: Lifetime Histor…
Interesting finding:  Higher levels of rumination are associated with a greater likelihood of experiencing both a current depressive episode and a past history of depressive episodes.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #211
Study title:   Rumination – Relationships With Physical Health
Interesting finding:  A 2012 review found that there is a relationship between ruminative thinking and impaired physical health.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #212
Study title:   Exploring The Impact Of Negative And Positive Self-Talk In Relation To Lineliness And Self-Esteem In…
Interesting finding:  Negative self-talk predicted loneliness, especially if it involves a socially threatening mentality.
Published by:   University of Boston

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #213
Study title:   Repetitive Regret, Depression, And Anxiety: Findings From A Nationally Representative Survey
Interesting finding:  Repetitive feelings of regret are linked to anxiety and depression disorders.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #214
Study title:   Why Ruminators Won’T Stop: The Structural And Resting State Correlates Of Rumination And Its Relatio…
Interesting finding:  Ruminating over negative thoughts is associated with volume reductions in brain areas that are related to cognitive control processes.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #215
Study title:   Is Envy Harmful To A Society’S Psychological Health And Wellbeing? A Longitudinal Study Of 18,000 Ad…
Interesting finding:  Envious feelings are a strong predictor of worse mental health in the future.
Published by:   Institute of Labor Economics

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #216
Study title:   To Help Or To Harm? Assessing The Impact Of Envy On Prosocial And Antisocial Behaviors
Interesting finding:  We’re less likely to help others when we’re feeling envious.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #217
Study title:   The Effects Of Active Worrying On Working Memory Capacity
Interesting finding:  Active worrying impairs working memory capacity.
Published by:   TandFOnline

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #218
Study title:   Worrying And Rumination Are Both Associated With Reduced Cognitive Control
Interesting finding:  Both worrying and rumination are associated with reduced cognitive control, making it more difficult for high-worriers and high-ruminators to switch between internal representations in working memory.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #219
Study title:   The Neural Correlates Of Worry In Association With Individual Differences In Neuroticism
Interesting finding:  People who score higher on neuroticism worry more in daily life and generate more worry-related thoughts after being presented with a worry-inducing sentence.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #220
Study title:   Wellness Within Illness: Happiness In Schizophrenia
Interesting finding:  People with chronic disorders like schizophrenia are generally unhappier than healthy people.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #221
Study title:   Social Anxiety In Young People: A Prevalence Study In Seven Countries
Interesting finding:  36% of young individuals around the world meet the criteria for Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD.)
Published by:   PLOS ONE

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #222
Study title:   Understanding Anxiety & Depression
Interesting finding:  Excessive worrying is a symptom of anxiety disorder, which affects nearly 20% of the US population every year.
Published by:   ADAA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #223
Study title:   Increased Mortality Among People With Anxiety Disorders: Total Population Study
Interesting finding:  Constant worry and anxiety can also shorten your lifespan, according to a 2018 study.
Published by:   University of Cambridge

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #224
Study title:   To Love a Highly Sensitive Person: a Theoretical Study on Romantic Relationships and Sensitivity
Interesting finding:  People who are highly sensitive tend to have greater emotional awareness and empathy in their romantic relationships.
Published by:   PDXScholar

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #225
Study title:   The highly sensitive brain: an fMRI study of sensory processing sensitivity and response to others’…
Interesting finding:  Being sensitive is linked to higher awareness and responsiveness.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #226
Study title:   Rejection sensitivity as a vulnerability marker for depressive symptom deterioration in men
Interesting finding:  Men who are more sensitive to rejection are more likely to develop depression.
Published by:   PLOS ONE

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #227
Study title:   Neuroticism is associated with reduced oxygenation levels in the lateral prefrontal cortex following…
Interesting finding:  Neurotic people tend to have lower oxygen levels in their lateral prefrontal cortex. This area of the brain plays a role in a variety of cognitive processes.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #228
Study title:   Neuroticism
Interesting finding:  Neuroticism can be linked with poor health, less exercise, and bad eating habits.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #229
Study title:   The association between stress mindset and physical and psychological wellbeing: testing a stress be…
Interesting finding:  Our attitude to anxiety actually determines how it affects our mental and physical health.
Published by:   TandFOnline

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #230
Study title:   Stuck on repeat: Why do we continue to ruminate?
Interesting finding:  We may be more likely to dwell on things because of how our brain processes emotions.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #231
Study title:   Not all emotions are created equal: The negativity bias in social-emotional development
Interesting finding:  Some people are predisposed to a negativity bias, which means they are more inclined to learn from and focus on negative information and influences.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

76 studies about social happiness

► Study #232
Study title:   The Special Role Of Friends And Neighbors
Interesting finding:  Having a well-developed social circle is a predictor of your well-being.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #233
Study title:   The Effect Of Loneliness On Distinct Health Outcomes: A Comprehensive Review And Meta-Analysis
Interesting finding:  Loneliness has been found to negatively affect the quality of your sleep
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #234
Study title:   Apa Survey Finds Feeling Valued At Work Linked To Well-Being And Performance
Interesting finding:  Employees who feel valued in the workplace report higher levels of engagement, satisfaction, and motivation than those who feel underappreciated by their employers.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #235
Study title:   Benefits Of Expressing Gratitude: Expressing Gratitude To A Partner Changes One’S View Of The Relati…
Interesting finding:  Expressing gratitude toward an acquaintance makes them more likely to pursue a long-term relationship with you.
Published by:   JSTOR

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #236
Study title:   Social Laughter Triggers Endogenous Opioid Release In Humans
Interesting finding:  Laughing with others strengthens social bonds, bringing you and your friends closer.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #237
Study title:   Cynicism And Disrespect: A Vicious Cycle
Interesting finding:  If we perceive our treatment from someone as disrespectful, it can lead us to cast a generalized and negative view out into the world.
Published by:   Science Daily

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #238
Study title:   Social Relations And Life Satisfaction: The Role Of Friends
Interesting finding:  Maintaining an active friend network can contribute to your overall happiness and strengthen your ability to manage stress.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #239
Study title:   What Is A Good Friend: A Qualitative Analysis Of Desired Friendship Qualities
Interesting finding:  People look for trustworthiness, honesty, communication and similarity in a friend, while attractiveness and physical proximity (for example, living next door) are less important.
Published by:   University of Pennsylvania

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #240
Study title:   Sex Differences In Friendship Expectations: A Meta-Analysis
Interesting finding:  Both women and men expect trust, commitment, loyalty, and genuineness from their friends.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #241
Study title:   Do Romantic Relationships Promote Happiness? Relationships’ Characteristics As Predictors Of Subject…
Interesting finding:  Romantic relationship variables, like relationship length and cohabitation, explained 21% of the variance in life satisfaction, with relationship satisfaction being a significant predictor.
Published by:   Interpersona

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #242
Study title:   Being In A Romantic Relationship Is Associated With Reduced Gray Matter Density In Striatum And Incr…
Interesting finding:  Being in a romantic relationship is associated with increased subjective happiness and reduced gray matter density within the right dorsal striatum.
Published by:   Frontiers in Psychology

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #243
Study title:   Stereotypes Of Singles: Are Singles What We Think?
Interesting finding:  While people in a relationship are more satisfied with their relationship status, there’s no significant difference in the overall life satisfaction between single people and people in a relationship.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #244
Study title:   Looking To Happy Tomorrows With Friends: Best And Close Friendships As They Predict Happiness
Interesting finding:  Not all friendships are created equal when it comes to happiness: quality trumps quantity, meaning that it’s better to have a few close relationships than many less close ones.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #245
Study title:   Loved And Lost Or Never Loved At All? Lifelong Marital Histories And Their Links With Subjective Wel…
Interesting finding:  Elders who have been married to the same person for most of their lives are only slightly happier than those who have been single or in various relationships.
Published by:   TandFOnline

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #246
Study title:   Sweetheart, You Really Make Me Happy: Romantic Relationship Quality And Personality As Predictors Of…
Interesting finding:  Romantic relationship quality accounts for only 3% of the variance in happiness.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #247
Study title:   The Personal And Interpersonal Rewards Of Communal Orientation
Interesting finding:  People who are community-oriented experience more positive emotions.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #248
Study title:   Feeling Stuck: Exploring The Development Of Felt Constraint In Romantic Relationships
Interesting finding:  People often get stuck in unsatisfying relationships for reasons like cohabitation, marriage, children and family entanglement.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #249
Study title:   The Neural Bases Of Social Pain: Evidence For Shared Representations With Physical Pain
Interesting finding:  Experiencing social pain activates neural regions that are also involved in physical pain processing.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #250
Study title:   Social Rejection Shares Somatosensory Representations With Physical Pain
Interesting finding:  When people look at a picture of their ex-partner after a recent break-up, brain areas that support the sensory components of physical pain become active.
Published by:   National Academy of Sciences

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #251
Study title:   How Lonely Are Europeans?
Interesting finding:  In some parts of Europe, up to 40% of people have only one meaningful interaction with friends or family per month.
Published by:   EU Science Hub

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #252
Study title:   Mood, Self-Awareness, And Willingness To Help.
Interesting finding:  Happier people are more helpful and willing to put in the work necessary to bring someone else’s mood back up.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #253
Study title:   Consequences Of Relationship Status And Quality For Subjective Well-Being.
Interesting finding:  People in committed relationships have higher subjective well-being levels.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #254
Study title:   Close Adult Friendships, Gender, And The Life Cycle
Interesting finding:  The number of friends decreases with age, satisfaction with friends was a significant predictor of overall life satisfaction.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #255
Study title:   The Relative Effectiveness Of Active Listening In Initial Interactions
Interesting finding:  Those who converse with others with active listening skills feel more understood and satisfied with their conversations.
Published by:   TandFOnline

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #256
Study title:   It Doesn’T Hurt To Ask: Question-Asking Increases Liking
Interesting finding:  People who ask questions, particularly follow-up questions, are liked better by their conversation partners.
Published by:   Harvard Business School

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #257
Study title:   The Roles Of Identity Development And Psychosocial Intimacy In Marital Success
Interesting finding:  Couples who were married and didn’t have a sense of individual identity were more likely to experience decreased stability and decreased satisfaction in their marriage.
Published by:   Guilford Press Periodicals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #258
Study title:   Willingness to Express one’s Opinion in a Realistic Situation as a Function of Perceived Support for…
Interesting finding:  We are more likely to share our opinion and thoughts if we feel supported by our group.
Published by:   Oxford University Press

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #259
Study title:   Regional Brain Activity in Women Grieving a Romantic Relationship Breakup
Interesting finding:  After letting someone go, the areas of your brain associated with sadness have increased activity.
Published by:   American Journal of Psychiatry

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #260
Study title:   Interpersonal Relationships and Immune Function
Interesting finding:  Unhealthy relationships have the potential to reduce the effectiveness of your immune system.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #261
Study title:   Sense of Humor in Romantic Relationships and Friendships
Interesting finding:  A good sense of humor is one of the deciding factors when it comes to relationships.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #262
Study title:   The Laughter Prescription
Interesting finding:  Laughing reduces stress and increases our tolerance to pain by up to 10%.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #263
Study title:   Helping Others Regulate Emotion Predicts Increased Regulation of One’s Own Emotions and Decreased Sy…
Interesting finding:  Helping others helps you to regulate your own emotions.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #264
Study title:   On Feeling Understood and Feeling Well: The Role of Interdependence
Interesting finding:  People who rated highly in feeling understood during their daily experiences are shown to feel happier.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #265
Study title:   The relationship of dispositional compassion with well-being: a study with a 15-year prospective fol…
Interesting finding:  People who have a compassionate disposition (meaning the ability to show concern and sympathy for others’ misfortunes) display both better mental and physical health over a lifespan.
Published by:   University of Helsinki

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #266
Study title:   Loneliness Matters: A Theoretical and Empirical Review of Consequences and Mechanisms
Interesting finding:  Our own perceived loneliness can leave us feeling vulnerable. It can have a detrimental impact on our well-being.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #267
Study title:   Couple functioning in depression: The roles of sociotropy and autonomy
Interesting finding:  Focusing on pleasing others leads to depression and less satisfaction with your interpersonal relationships.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #268
Study title:   Love relationships: Attachment style and the investment model.
Interesting finding:  If you are anxiously attached to each other, then both individuals in the relationship are less likely to experience satisfaction and a greater sense of commitment.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #269
Study title:   Loving Freedom: Concerns With Promotion or Prevention and the Role of Autonomy in Relationship Well-…
Interesting finding:  If each individual in a relationship embraces autonomy and self-direction, then both parties are more likely to experience satisfaction in the relationship.
Published by:   Northwestern University

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #270
Study title:   Benefits of Expressing Gratitude: Expressing Gratitude to a Partner Changes One’s View of the Relati…
Interesting finding:  When others express gratitude towards you, you feel a stronger sense of community and appreciation for that person.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #271
Study title:   Reciprocity of Liking
Interesting finding:  If you show someone you like them, they will naturally like you more too.
Published by:   Northwestern University

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #272
Study title:   Experiential Gifts Foster Stronger Social Relationships than Material Gifts
Interesting finding:  Experiential gifts strengthen the relationship between gift giver and receiver much more than material gifts.
Published by:   University of California, Los Angeles

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #273
Study title:   How Friendship Network Characteristics Influence Subjective Well-Being
Interesting finding:  Maintaining strong friendships can lead to less stress and quicker recovery from illness.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #274
Study title:   Social and emotional support and its implication for health
Interesting finding:  People who have a strong network of friends are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors such as eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and successfully quitting smoking.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #275
Study title:   From stress to inflammation and major depressive disorder: a social signal transduction theory of de…
Interesting finding:  Dealing with a toxic friend can negatively impact one’s health by increasing stress and inflammation within the body.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #276
Study title:   Empathy and attitudes: Can feeling for a member of a stigmatized group improve feelings toward the g…
Interesting finding:  Practising empathy can support people in adopting more positive attitudes towards stigmatized groups i.e. homeless people.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #277
Study title:   Relationship sabotage: an attachment and goal-orientation perspective on seeking love yet failing to…
Interesting finding:  Consistently engaging in self-sabotaging behaviors may make it difficult to maintain healthy and committed romantic relationships.
Published by:   James Cook University

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #278
Study title:   Share your goals – but be careful whom you tell
Interesting finding:  When we share our goals with people we view as more successful than ourselves, we are more likely to achieve our goals.
Published by:   Ohio State University

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #279
Study title:   Self-disclosure and liking: A meta-analytic review
Interesting finding:  There is a clear relationship between self-disclosure and likability. When you share more about yourself with others, they tend to like you more.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #280
Study title:   Respect in close relationships: Prototype definition, self-report assessment, and initial correlates
Interesting finding:  Satisfaction in your relationship is directly correlated with the amount of respect you show to your partner.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #281
Study title:   The self-serving bias in relational context
Interesting finding:  In healthy relationships, both partners take responsibility for conflict and relational success.
Published by:   ProQuest

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #282
Study title:   Sympathy and Responses to Suffering: Similarity and Variation in China and the United States
Interesting finding:  Being more sympathetic can enhance your creativity when it comes to problem-solving.
Published by:   American Psychological Association

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #283
Study title:   How many hours does it take to make a friend?
Interesting finding:  It takes fifty hours on average with someone before they move from acquaintance to casual friend.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #284
Study title:   Why a Simple Act of Kindness Is Not as Simple as It Seems: Underestimating the Positive Impact of Ou…
Interesting finding:  We far underestimate the positive impact of simple compliments on another person’s psyche and mood.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #285
Study title:   Giving to Others and the Association Between Stress and Mortality
Interesting finding:  Individuals who gave or helped others experienced less stress.
Published by:   American Journal of Public Healt

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #286
Study title:   Giving Time Gives You Time
Interesting finding:  Individuals who spend time giving to others perceive that they have more time available and this positively influences their overall stress levels.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #287
Study title:   The doormat effect: when forgiving erodes self-respect and self-concept clarity
Interesting finding:  When you constantly forgive someone and allow them to take advantage of you this will negatively impact your sense of self-respect.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #288
Study title:   Getting beyond small talk: Study finds people enjoy deep conversations with strangers
Interesting finding:  Conversations beyond small talk are more enjoyable and can lead to stronger connections.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #289
Study title:   The Mediating Effects of Self-Esteem on Anxiety and Emotion Regulation
Interesting finding:  People who are more anxious and have lower self-esteem are more likely to exhibit heightened emotional reactivity.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #290
Study title:   A hypothetic model for examining the relationship between happiness, forgiveness, emotional reactivi…
Interesting finding:  When we become less emotionally reactive we experience greater happiness.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #291
Study title:   Emotional reactivity, intensity, and perseveration: Independent dimensions of trait affect and assoc…
Interesting finding:  People who are more emotionally reactive are at a greater risk for experiencing anxiety, depression, and stress.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #292
Study title:   The Price of Distrust: Trust, Anxious Attachment, Jealousy, and Partner Abuse
Interesting finding:  Anxious people are more likely to demonstrate jealousy, distrust, and even psychological abuse toward their partner.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #293
Study title:   The role of emotional dependence in the relationship between attachment and impulsive behavior.
Interesting finding:  Individuals who are strongly emotionally dependent on their partners are more likely to engage in negative impulsive behavior.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #294
Study title:   Affective Dependence and Aggression: An Exploratory Study
Interesting finding:  Emotionally dependent people have been found to be more aggressive.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #295
Study title:   Is Kindness Contagious?
Interesting finding:  When we receive kindness or witness other people show kindness, we are more likely to do the same or “pay it forward.”
Published by:   University of California, Los Angeles

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #296
Study title:   Kindness reduces avoidance goals in socially anxious individuals
Interesting finding:  Performing acts of kindness can positively affect our physical and mental well-being and even reduce social anxiety.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #297
Study title:   Feeling loved in everyday life linked with improved well-being
Interesting finding:  Those who experience love in their everyday interactions have higher levels of well-being that manifest in feelings of optimism and a sense of purpose.
Published by:   Science Daily

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #298
Study title:   Loneliness and neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, and inflammatory stress responses in middle-aged men…
Interesting finding:  People who experience more loneliness tend to have greater levels of cortisol. Cortisol is essentially our stress hormone.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

19 studies about confidence and happiness

► Study #299
Study title:   Chronic Second-Guessing Jeopardizes Mental Health
Interesting finding:  Chronically second-guessing yourself may lead you into an emotional trap where you feel anxious and procrastinate.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #300
Study title:   Chronic Second-Guessing Jeopardizes Mental Health
Interesting finding:  Constantly second-guessing yourself can lead to depression and lower your self-esteem.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #301
Study title:   Going With Your Gut: The (In)Accuracy Of Forecast Revisions In A Football Score Prediction Game
Interesting finding:  Revising your initial decision makes it less likely for you to have made the accurate choice.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #302
Study title:   Does High Self-Esteem Cause Better Performance, Interpersonal Success, Happiness, Or Healthier Lifes…
Interesting finding:  Building self-esteem results in greater satisfaction, happiness, and fewer negative moods.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #303
Study title:   High Self-Esteem Buffers Negative Feedback: Once More With Feeling
Interesting finding:  Those with high self-esteem suffer less emotional distress when encountering negative feedback from others.
Published by:   University of Washington

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #304
Study title:   Effects Of Self-Talk Training On Competitive Anxiety, Self-Efficacy, Volitional Skills, And Performa…
Interesting finding:  The intervention of negative self-talk leads to less anxiety and higher self-confidence, self-optimization, self-efficacy, and performance.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #305
Study title:   Perception Is Reality: Your Strengths Matter
Interesting finding:  Leaders who perceive themselves to be effective leaders are more likely to demonstrate good leadership.
Published by:   Journal of Leadership Education

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #306
Study title:   Strengths-Based Development In Practice.
Interesting finding:  Harnessing your strengths improves confidence and sense of direction in life.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #307
Study title:   Voice As A Mediator Of Mothers’ And Daughters’ Feminist Attitudes And Psychological Outcomes: An App…
Interesting finding:  Research shows that self-assured daughters of feminist women are more likely to voice their opinions and stand up for themselves in their relationships.
Published by:   DOI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #308
Study title:   Smart Girls, Hard-Working Girls But Not Yet Self-Assured Girls: The Limits Of Gender Equity Politics
Interesting finding:  Those who are not self-assured frequently doubt their own abilities and worry about their image despite being top achievers.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #309
Study title:   Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence, Anxiety And Claimed Self-Handicapping: A Mediational Analysis
Interesting finding:  Self-esteem and confidence usually go hand in hand: research on athletes has shown that people with lower self-esteem have lower self-confidence.
Published by:   HAL Open Science

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #310
Study title:   Development Of Self-Esteem From Age 4 To 94 Years: A Meta-Analysis Of Longitudinal Studies
Interesting finding:  Research has shown that self-confidence and self-esteem rise with age.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #311
Study title:   Self-Esteem And Self-Acceptance: An Examination Into Their Relationship And Their Effect On Psycholo…
Interesting finding:  Self-acceptance leads to higher self-esteem and general psychological well-being.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #312
Study title:   Self-Esteem In Early Adolescence As Predictor Of Depressive Symptoms In Late Adolescence And Early A…
Interesting finding:  Higher self-confidence predicts happiness, while lower self-confidence predicts higher levels of loneliness.
Published by:   University of Groningen

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #313
Study title:   Happiness Versus Sadness As A Determinant Of Thought Confidence In Persuasion: A Self-Validation Ana…
Interesting finding:  A 2007 study found that happier people are more confident in their thoughts.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #314
Study title:   Gene Linked To Optimism And Self-Esteem
Interesting finding:  Although there is some evidence that self-esteem is partly regulated by a certain gene, it is mostly affected by environmental factors.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #315
Study title:   Cognitive Behavior Therapy For Low Self-Esteem: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial In A Prima…
Interesting finding:  Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been found to be successful in raising self-esteem in different age groups.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #316
Study title:   Self-Esteem Maintenance Processes: Why Low Self-Esteem May Be Resistant To Change
Interesting finding:  People with low self-esteem have a harder time accepting any positive feedback.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #317
Study title:   When It Comes To Driving, Most People Think Their Skills are Above Average
Interesting finding:  When it comes to driving ability, most people consider themselves above average. This is the Dunning-Kruger effect at play.
Published by:   Psychological Science

As referenced here | Source link

32 studies about negativity and happiness

► Study #318
Study title:   Cynicism Starts Early In Children
Interesting finding:  Cynicism has been found in young children. Even young children believe others can act in their own self-interest.
Published by:   WebMD

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #319
Study title:   Optimism, Cynical Hostility, And Incident Coronary Heart Disease And Mortality In The Women’S Health…
Interesting finding:  Women who score higher on cynicism are at greater risk of coronary heart disease and have a higher mortality rate.
Published by:   AHA journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #320
Study title:   Cynical Beliefs About Human Nature And Income: Longitudinal And Cross-Cultural Analyses
Interesting finding:  Those scoring higher on a cynicism questionnaire earn an average of $300 a month less than those scoring lower on cynicism.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #321
Study title:   What A Rude E-Mail! Examining The Differential Effects Of Incivility Versus Support On Mood, Energy,…
Interesting finding:  If you are rude, then those around you are more likely to be in a negative mood and have lower levels of energy.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #322
Study title:   Rude Color Glasses: The Contaminating Effects Of Witnessed Morning Rudeness On Perceptions And Behav…
Interesting finding:  If people witness someone do something rude they are less likely to perform well on work-related tasks and they are more likely to avoid the rude person.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #323
Study title:   Mindset, Grit, Optimism, Pessimism And Life Satisfaction In University Students With And Without Anx…
Interesting finding:  Those who tend to see the bad in any given situation are also more likely to have anxiety and depression.
Published by:   ProQuest

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #324
Study title:   Pessimism Is Associated With Greater All-Cause And Cardiovascular Mortality, But Optimism Is Not Pro…
Interesting finding:  Research indicates a positive association between pessimism and all-cause mortality.
Published by:   Nature

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #325
Study title:   The More You Judge The Worse You Feel. A Judgemental Attitude Towards One’S Inner Experience Predict…
Interesting finding:  Being judgmental doesn’t only cause us to make wrong assumptions or assessments; it can also negatively affect our mental wellbeing.
Published by:   APC

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #326
Study title:   When Words Hurt: Affective Word Use In Daily News Coverage Impacts Mental Health
Interesting finding:  A study from 2018 showed that more negative language in the media led to a significant increase in participants’ mental and physiological issues.
Published by:   Frontiers in Psychology

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #327
Study title:   Negative Emotional Events That People Ruminate About Feel Closer In Time
Interesting finding:  Holding on to resentment makes you feel like whatever bad thing happened to you happened more recently.
Published by:   PLOS ONE

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #328
Study title:   Depression And Learned Helplessness In Man.
Interesting finding:  If you allow a sense of learned helplessness to linger for too long you are likely to develop depression.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #329
Study title:   Learned Helplessness: Relationships With Fear And Anxiety.
Interesting finding:  You are prone to experience greater levels of fear and anxiety if you allow learned helplessness to stick around.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #330
Study title:   Individual differences in two emotion regulation processes: implications for affect, relationships,…
Interesting finding:  Suppressing emotions has a negative impact on overall well-being.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #331
Study title:   Dimensions of Negative Thinking and the Relations with Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in Childre…
Interesting finding:  Rumination and worry is correlated with anxiety and depression.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #332
Study title:   Fear of Success: The Construction and Validation of a Measuring Instrument
Interesting finding:  Individuals who score high on a scale measuring fear of success are far more likely to engage in self-sabotaging behaviors.
Published by:   TandFOnline

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #333
Study title:   A critical review of the literature on academic self-handicapping: theory, manifestations, preventio…
Interesting finding:  Individuals who self-sabotage are less likely to succeed in academic environments, which can influence their overall career path and future life choices.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #334
Study title:   The Impact of Failures and Successes on Affect and Self-Esteem in Young and Older Adults
Interesting finding:  What we perceive as a personal failure can impact our feelings of self-worth, reduce our self-esteem and dampen our mood.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #335
Study title:   Chapter 18 – Effects of Stress on Learning and Memory
Interesting finding:  Living in a state of overwhelm can negatively influence your memory and learning performance.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #336
Study title:   Psychosocial factors and risk of hypertension: the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults…
Interesting finding:  Individuals who are constantly living with a sense of urgency are at a higher risk for developing hypertension.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #337
Study title:   ‘Negativity bias’ in risk for depression and anxiety: Brain–body fear circuitry correlates, 5-HTT-LP…
Interesting finding:  Negativity bias causes an increased startle response and heart rate.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #338
Study title:   On the Nature of Reactance and its Role in Persuasive Health Communication
Interesting finding:  High levels of reactance correspond with increased anger and negative thoughts.
Published by:   TandFOnline

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #339
Study title:   Effects of chronic variable stress on cognition and Bace1 expression among wild-type mice
Interesting finding:  Chronic variable stress reduces your cognitive functioning and puts you at a higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Published by:   Nature

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #340
Study title:   The role of self-blame and worthlessness in the psychopathology of major depressive disorder
Interesting finding:  Self-blaming emotions are strongly associated with depressive mood disorders.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #341
Study title:   The biology of fear- and anxiety-related behaviors
Interesting finding:  Consistent focus on stress and fear leads to an experience of anxiety.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #342
Study title:   The Global Prevalence of Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Insomnia Among General Population During C…
Interesting finding:  28.18% of the population is suffering from depression and anxiety.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #343
Study title:   A preliminary comparison of fundamental fears related to anxiety
Interesting finding:  Fear of the unknown is one of the fundamental factors of anxiety which is why it can be hard to leave things up to fate.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #344
Study title:   Psychological stress and the human immune system: a meta-analytic study of 30 years of inquiry
Interesting finding:  Negative thinking is associated with reduced immune system function.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #345
Study title:   Rumination as a Mechanism Linking Stressful Life Events to Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety: Longi…
Interesting finding:  Individuals who ruminate on stressful life situations are more likely to experience depression and anxiety.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #346
Study title:   Independent self-construal, self-reflection, and self-rumination: A path model for predicting happin…
Interesting finding:  When you already feel happy, doing a lot of self-reflection can actually make it hard to stay happy.
Published by:   TandFOnline

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #347
Study title:   Cognitive-behavioral treatment of borderline personality disorder.
Interesting finding:  Children who grow up with their inner experiences being invalidated are at a higher risk of developing borderline personality disorder.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #348
Study title:   A psychodynamic contribution to the understanding of anger – The importance of diagnosis before trea…
Interesting finding:  We use anger to conceal feelings of shame, fear, or grief.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #349
Study title:   Damaged self-esteem is associated with internalizing problems
Interesting finding:  When we internalize our problems, we damage our self-esteem. But that’s not all; internalizing things impacts our overall mental health and destroys our relationships with others.
Published by:   Frontiers in Psychology

As referenced here | Source link

10 studies about kindness and happiness

► Study #350
Study title:   The Psychology Of Nice People
Interesting finding:  People who are kinder have longer-lasting personal relationships and experience greater levels of happiness and success.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #351
Study title:   Are We Nice(R) To Nice(R) People?—An Experimental Analysis
Interesting finding:  People are more likely to be nice to people who are nice to them.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #352
Study title:   Physical Attractiveness And The “Nice Guy Paradox”: Do Nice Guys Really Finish Last?
Interesting finding:  Your “niceness” is the most important factor when it comes to establishing a serious and committed relationship.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #353
Study title:   Making A Decision To Forgive
Interesting finding:  The decision to forgive someone is correlated with greater forgiveness and happiness down the road.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #354
Study title:   The Effects Of Forgiveness Therapy On Depression, Anxiety, And Posttraumatic Stress For Women After…
Interesting finding:  Forgiveness decreases depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress in emotionally abused women.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #355
Study title:   Neural Responses To Taxation And Voluntary Giving Reveal Motives For Charitable Donations
Interesting finding:  Making donations to charity activates the reward center of the brain. This suggests that it is inherently rewarding.
Published by:   Science.org

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #356
Study title:   Feeling Good About Giving: The Benefits (And Costs) Of Self-Interested Charitable Behavior
Interesting finding:  Happier people tend to give more. So by becoming happier, you are also becoming a more generous person who will continue to do more good.
Published by:   Harvard Business School

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #357
Study title:   Doing Good Is Good For You
Interesting finding:  93% of people who volunteered the previous year feel happier as a result.
Published by:   United Health Care

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #358
Study title:   Universals And Cultural Diversity In The Expression Of Gratitude
Interesting finding:  Only 15% of conversations include some form of the words “Thank you”.
Published by:   Royal Society Open Science

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #359
Study title:   Shopping For Clothes And Sensitivity To The Suffering Of Others: The Role Of Compassion And Values I…
Interesting finding:  Higher compassion is positively related to sustainable shopping behavior.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

28 studies about mindfulness and happiness

► Study #360
Study title:   A Multi-Method Examination Of The Effects Of Mindfulness On Stress Attribution, Coping, And Emotiona…
Interesting finding:  Individuals who incorporate mindfulness in their lives are able to use healthier coping strategies when encountering stressors and experienced greater well-being.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #361
Study title:   Effects Of Mindfulness On Psychological Health: A Review Of Empirical Studies
Interesting finding:  Increased mindfulness results in fewer mental health issues and improved regulation of an individual’s behavior.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #362
Study title:   A Randomised Controlled Trial Of The Effects Of Mindfulness Practice On Medical Student Stress Level…
Interesting finding:  Medical students who do not participate in mindful practices are more likely to experience higher levels of stress and anxiety.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #363
Study title:   The Protective Effects Of Mindfulness Against Burnout Among Educators
Interesting finding:  Educators who practice mindfulness are far less likely to experience burnout compared to those who do not incorporate mindfulness practices.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #364
Study title:   The Effect Of Mindfulness-Based Therapy On Anxiety And Depression: A Meta-Analytic Review
Interesting finding:  Mindfulness-based therapy is an effective intervention for treating anxiety and mood issues.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #365
Study title:   Mindfulness And Symptoms Of Depression And Anxiety In The General Population: The Mediating Roles Of…
Interesting finding:  Being present in the moment helps to reduce worrying, rumination, and mood issues.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #366
Study title:   Daily Stress And The Benefits Of Mindfulness: Examining The Daily And Longitudinal Relations Between…
Interesting finding:  Present-moment awareness is associated with enhanced responses to daily stress and stressful events in the future.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #367
Study title:   The Benefits Of Meditation And Mindfulness Practices During Times Of Crisis Such As Covid-19
Interesting finding:  Meditation and mindfulness techniques can offer a helpful way to cope with change, uncertainty, and crisis.
Published by:   University of Cambridge

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #368
Study title:   Efficacy Of Rajayoga Meditation On Positive Thinking: An Index For Self-Satisfaction And Happiness I…
Interesting finding:  Studies have shown the positive effects of mediation, and how those who practice meditation have an improved outlook, and as a result greater self-satisfaction and happiness.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #369
Study title:   Treating Chronic Worry: Psychological And Physiological Effects Of A Training Programme Based On Min…
Interesting finding:  Mindfulness is effective in reducing chronic worry.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #370
Study title:   Forever Young(Er): Potential Age-Defying Effects Of Long-Term Meditation On Gray Matter Atrophy
Interesting finding:  Meditation reduces the level of grey matter atrophy in long term meditators.
Published by:   Frontiers in Psychology

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #371
Study title:   A Breathing-Based Meditation Intervention For Patients With Major Depressive Disorder Following Inad…
Interesting finding:  Meditation has been found to be an effective treatment for sufferers of major depressive disorder (MDD) with an inadequate response to antidepressants.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #372
Study title:   Breathing-Based Meditation Decreases Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms In U.S. Military Veteran…
Interesting finding:  Implementing breathing-based meditation results in reduced symptoms of PTSD.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #373
Study title:   A Qualitative Study Of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy For Depression
Interesting finding:  Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) improves mind frames and outlooks for a plethora of issues.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #374
Study title:   Mindfulness And Its Relationship To Emotional Regulation
Interesting finding:  Practicing mindfulness is related to greater emotion differentiation and fewer emotional difficulties in young adults.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #375
Study title:   Mindfulness And Emotion Regulation—An Fmri Study
Interesting finding:  A short mindfulness intervention can benefit emotion regulation on a neurobiological level – meaning that mindfulness can change how certain areas of the brain work.
Published by:   Oxford University Press

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #376
Study title:   Health Benefits Of Emptying The Mind
Interesting finding:  If you invest in developing the skill of thinking less you can reduce your stress and stave off anxiety and depression.
Published by:   Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #377
Study title:   Daily stress and the benefits of mindfulness: Examining the daily and longitudinal relations between…
Interesting finding:  If we can become more present and mindful of the present moment, we will be better able to cope with any stressors that do come our way and we will experience greater levels of positivity.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #378
Study title:   Being Present and Enjoying It: Dispositional Mindfulness and Savoring the Moment Are Distinct, Inter…
Interesting finding:  Being present in the moment is an evidence-based way to boost your psychological health.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #379
Study title:   Why Being Mindful May Have More Benefits Than You Realize: Mindfulness Improves Both Explicit and Im…
Interesting finding:  Individuals who were more mindful and present were able to better regulate their mood than individuals who did not embrace mindfulness.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #380
Study title:   The Effect of a Self-Reflection and Insight Program on the Nursing Competence of Nursing Students: A…
Interesting finding:  Self-reflection exercises improves your clinical competence and reduces stress levels.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #381
Study title:   Insight, Rumination, and Self-Reflection as Predictors of Well-Being
Interesting finding:  Self-reflection is linked to personal growth and higher life satisfaction.
Published by:   TandFOnline

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #382
Study title:   Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build conseq…
Interesting finding:  A daily meditation practice increases our feelings of positivity, reduces our symptoms of illness, increases our connection with ourselves and others, and promotes our overall well-being.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #383
Study title:   Scientific Analysis of Mantra-Based Meditation and its Beneficial Effects: An Overview
Interesting finding:  When we hum during our mantra or meditation practice, nitric oxide is released into the body, this helps muscle relaxation and blood flow.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #384
Study title:   Examining the effect of mindfulness on well-being: self-connection as a mediator
Interesting finding:  Individuals who develop a sense of self-connection experience greater well-being.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #385
Study title:   The Self-Reflection and Insight Scale: A New MEasure of Private Self-Consciousness
Interesting finding:  Those who have a deeper personal insight also have stronger relationships.
Published by:   Ingenta

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #386
Study title:   Recent evidence supports emotion-regulation interventions for improving health in at-risk and clinic…
Interesting finding:  Being able to regulate your emotions positively influences both your physical and mental well-being.
Published by:   Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #387
Study title:   Self-Affirmation Activates the Ventral Striatum: A Possible Reward-Related Mechanism for Self-Affirm…
Interesting finding:  Positive affirmations can help reduce negative thoughts and stimulate the reward pathways in our brains.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

9 studies about journaling and happiness

► Study #388
Study title:   Online Positive Affect Journaling In The Improvement Of Mental Distress And Well-Being In General Me…
Interesting finding:  Through months of ‘positive affect journaling’, medical patients showed reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms, and increased resilience.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #389
Study title:   Stress And Anxiety Reduction Due To Writing Diaries, Journals, Email, And Weblogs
Interesting finding:  Journaling is the go-to writing medium when processing emotional hardships.
Published by:   Eastern Michigan University

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #390
Study title:   Emotional And Physical Health Benefits Of Expressive Writing
Interesting finding:  Expressive writing, especially for those who have undergone traumatic events, has both psychological and physical benefits.
Published by:   University of Cambridge

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #391
Study title:   Focused Expressive Writing As Self-Help For Stress And Trauma
Interesting finding:  Expressive writing and journaling results in improvements in health and well‐being.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #392
Study title:   Writing About Distressing Events And Caregiver Well-Being: A Test Of A Web-Based Journaling Exercise…
Interesting finding:  Writing about a distressing event is associated with decreases in distress and perceived burden.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #393
Study title:   An Everyday Activity As A Treatment For Depression: The Benefits Of Expressive Writing For People Di…
Interesting finding:  Expressive journaling for 20 minutes a day can lower your depression scores significantly.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #394
Study title:   Visual Journaling: An Intervention To Influence Stress, Anxiety And Affect Levels In Medical Student…
Interesting finding:  Visual journaling can help decrease stress, anxiety and negative affect levels in medical students.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #395
Study title:   The Effects Of Bedtime Writing On Difficulty Falling Asleep: A Polysomnographic Study Comparing To-D…
Interesting finding:  Journaling before going to bed can reduce bedtime worrying and help you fall asleep faster.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #396
Study title:   Choking under pressure: the neuropsychological mechanisms of incentive-induced performance decrement…
Interesting finding:  When people write down their fears and worries about an upcoming high-pressure situation, it serves to boost their actual performance.
Published by:   Frontiers in Psychology

As referenced here | Source link

13 studies about passion and purpose and happiness

► Study #397
Study title:   Passion, Trait Self-Control, And Wellbeing: Comparing Two Mediation Models Predicting Wellbeing
Interesting finding:  Individuals who pursue their passion harmoniously and with more self-control experience an improvement in well-being.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #398
Study title:   Meaning And Purpose In Life And Well-Being: A Life-Span Perspective
Interesting finding:  Your sense of life purpose and the meaning you assign to your future may predict your psychological and physical well-being.
Published by:   Oxford University Press

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #399
Study title:   Purpose In Life As A Predictor Of Mortality Across Adulthood
Interesting finding:  Those who have found a sense of purpose in life have a reduced risk of mortality.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #400
Study title:   Purpose In Life Predicts Better Emotional Recovery From Negative Stimuli
Interesting finding:  Finding purpose and direction in life has also been shown to be protective against negative life events.
Published by:   PLOS ONE

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #401
Study title:   Passion Does Make A Difference In People’S Lives: A Look At Well-Being In Passionate And Non-Passion…
Interesting finding:  Individuals who harmoniously engage in an activity that they’re passionate about experience greater levels of hedonic and eudaimonic happiness.
Published by:   University of Quebec

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #402
Study title:   Purpose In Life And Its Relationship To All-Cause Mortality And Cardiovascular Events: A Meta-Analys…
Interesting finding:  Having a high sense of purpose in life is associated with a reduced risk of mortality.
Published by:   Ovid

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #403
Study title:   A Meaningful Life Is Worth Living: Meaning In Life As A Suicide Resiliency Factor
Interesting finding:  Having or looking for a meaning in life predicts lower levels of suicidal ideation and lower suicide risk.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #404
Study title:   Purpose In Life And Its Relationship To All-Cause Mortality And Cardiovascular Events: A Meta-Analys…
Interesting finding:  There’s a lower risk of death for people with a high sense of purpose in life. Mortality is about one-fifth lower for people reporting a strong sense of purpose.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #405
Study title:   Self-Determination Theory: The Importance of Autonomy to Well-Being Across Cultures
Interesting finding:  Acting in alignment with your own values and forming your own way of thinking is what leads to well-being no matter what your cultural background may be.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #406
Study title:   Purpose in life and reasons for living as mediators of the relationship between stress, coping, and…
Interesting finding:  Individuals who are intentional about their reasons for living and their purpose in life are less likely to be stressed, depressed, and suicidal.
Published by:   TandFOnline

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #407
Study title:   Relationship of Having Hobbies and a Purpose in Life With Mortality, Activities of Daily Living, and…
Interesting finding:  Elderly individuals who are more purposeful in their day-to-day life have extended longevity relative to their peers.
Published by:   J-Stage

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #408
Study title:   Which Values Make You Happy? It Might Depend on Where You Live
Interesting finding:  When our values align with our country’s politics and social norms, we feel a greater sense of belonging and more profound happiness.
Published by:   Berkely University of California

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #409
Study title:   The relationship between value-based actions, psychological distress and well-being: A multilevel di…
Interesting finding:  Performing daily value-based actions reduce stress and increase wellbeing.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

7 studies about health and happiness

► Study #410
Study title:   Depression And Health-Related Quality Of Life
Interesting finding:  Depression decreases your overall quality of life similar to the effects of arthritis, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
Published by:   Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #411
Study title:   The Importance Of Creating Habits And Routine
Interesting finding:  People in good health engage in more routine behaviors.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #412
Study title:   Exploring The Benefits Of Conscientiousness: An Investigation Of The Role Of Daily Stressors And Hea…
Interesting finding:  People who are more conscientious also make healthier choices.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #413
Study title:   The Association Between Burnout And Physical Illness In The General Population—Results From The Finn…
Interesting finding:  Burnout not only causes depressive symptoms and depersonalization but physical issues too.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #414
Study title:   Extent And Health Consequences Of Chronic Sleep Loss And Sleep Disorders
Interesting finding:  Sleep deprivation is linked to many negative side-effects, amongst which depression, diabetes, and heart disease.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #415
Study title:   Effect Of Sleep Deprivation On The Working Memory-Related N2-P3 Components Of The Event-Related Pote…
Interesting finding:  Sleep deprivation impairs the working memory of the human brain.
Published by:   Frontiers in Psychology

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #416
Study title:   Association of Optimism With Cardiovascular Events and All-Cause Mortality
Interesting finding:  Practising optimism is linked to a 35% lower chance of heart disease, and a 14% lower chance of early death.
Published by:   JAMA Network

As referenced here | Source link

32 studies about work and happiness

► Study #417
Study title:   Beyond Technical Competence: Honesty And Integrity
Interesting finding:  Honesty with oneself is related to a greater sense of fulfillment in an individual’s career.
Published by:   Emerald Insight

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #418
Study title:   An Examination Of The Factors Affecting Employee Motivation In The Higher Education Sector
Interesting finding:  Employee empowerment is strongly linked to their motivation.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #419
Study title:   Gartner Says Only 13% Of Employees Are Largely Satisfied With Their Work Experiences
Interesting finding:  Only 13% of workers from the United States find happiness in what they do for a living.
Published by:   Gartner

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #420
Study title:   Does Education Affect Happiness? Evidence For Spain
Interesting finding:  People with a higher education level have higher income levels and a higher probability of being employed, and thus, report higher levels of happiness.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #421
Study title:   A Meta-Analytic Examination Of The Relationship Between Job Satisfaction And Subjective Well-Being
Interesting finding:  Job satisfaction is positively related to life satisfaction, happiness, positive affect, and the absence of negative affect.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #422
Study title:   How Money Buys Happiness: Genetic And Environmental Processes Linking Finances And Life Satisfaction
Interesting finding:  While income and wealth do contribute towards life satisfaction, it’s not the size of income, but rather the perceived financial situation and control over life that seem to make us happier.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #423
Study title:   Money And Happiness: Rank Of Income, Not Income, Affects Life Satisfaction
Interesting finding:  The absolute income (the amount one earns) has no effect on a person’s happiness, but the ranked position of one’s income does.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #424
Study title:   Failing To Learn? The Effects Of Failure And Success On Organizational Learning In The Global Orbita…
Interesting finding:  Organizations learn more from their failures than their successes and that the magnitude of the failure is actually a good predictor of future success.
Published by:   Academy of Management

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #425
Study title:   Organizational Identity And Firm Performance: What Happens When Leaders Disagree About “Who We Are?”
Interesting finding:  When individuals can’t understand their identity at work, the organization experiences reduced levels of cooperation and their performance suffers.
Published by:   Informs

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #426
Study title:   Recovery after work experiences, employee well-being and intent to quit
Interesting finding:  When you take the time to effectively recover after work, you are less likely to feel burnt out and more likely to experience job satisfaction.
Published by:   Emerald Insight

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #427
Study title:   Psychosomatic complaints and unwinding of sympathoadrenal activation after work
Interesting finding:  Research shows that if you cannot decrease your stress response after work, your health will suffer.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #428
Study title:   Burnout prevention through personal growth.
Interesting finding:  Individuals who participate in self-growth measures are less likely to experience burnout at work.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #429
Study title:   Humble Leadership and Employee Resilience: Exploring the Mediating Mechanism of Work-Related Promoti…
Interesting finding:  Employee resilience and motivation increases in response to humble leadership. It’s a simple way to encourage satisfaction and buy-in.
Published by:   Frontiers in Psychology

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #430
Study title:   Your Co-Workers Might Be Killing You
Interesting finding:  Coworker relationships were far more linked to good health than a boss’ behavior and the work environment.
Published by:   Wall Street Journal

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #431
Study title:   Ways to Be Happy and Productive at Work
Interesting finding:  Happier workers help their colleagues 33% more compared to those who aren’t happy.
Published by:   Wall Street Journal

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #432
Study title:   Problematic Interpersonal Relationships at Work and Depression: A Swedish Prospective Cohort Study
Interesting finding:  Problematic interpersonal relationships in the work environment significantly increase the odds that a person develops depression.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #433
Study title:   If Your Boss Could Do Your Job, You’re More Likely to Be Happy at Work
Interesting finding:  Having a highly competent boss is easily the largest positive influence on a typical worker’s level of job satisfaction.
Published by:   Harvard Business Review

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #434
Study title:   Managing workplace incivility: The role of conflict management styles—antecedent or antidote?
Interesting finding:  The way people manage conflict tends to cause more tension than the conflict itself.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #435
Study title:   The relationships of character strengths with coping, work-related stress, and job satisfaction
Interesting finding:  People that develop a strong character and coping mechanisms are less prone to high stress in the workplace and experience greater job satisfaction.
Published by:   Frontiers in Psychology

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #436
Study title:   Love of Money and Unethical Behavior Intention: Does an Authentic Supervisor’s Personal Integrity an…
Interesting finding:  Leaders with high levels of personal integrity and a strong character inspire fewer unethical incidents in the workplace.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #437
Study title:   Remote Work is Linked to Happiness: Study of 12,455 Respondents
Interesting finding:  The ability to work remotely increases employee happiness by as much as 20%.
Published by:   Tracking Happiness

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #438
Study title:   Do you want me to be perfect? Two longitudinal studies on socially prescribed perfectionism, stress…
Interesting finding:  Individuals who emphasized perfection in the workplace experienced significantly increased stress levels at work and were more likely to burn out.
Published by:   TandFOnline

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #439
Study title:   Achieving Balance In Everyday Life
Interesting finding:  When our occupation provides personal meaning and fulfillment, we are more likely to adopt a positive self-image in our place of work.
Published by:   TandFOnline

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #440
Study title:   Getting More Done: Strategies to Increase Scholarly Productivity
Interesting finding:  Multitasking reduces productivity by up to 40%.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #441
Study title:   The Productivity of Working Hours
Interesting finding:  Productivity per hour drops sharply when you work over 50 hours per week. After 55 hours, the loss in productivity is so big that there’s no point to put in even more hours.
Published by:   Institute of Labor Economics

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #442
Study title:   Field investigation of the relationship among adult curiosity, workplace learning, and job performan…
Interesting finding:  Curious people are more productive at work and achieve greater levels of success.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #443
Study title:   Embedding Employees Early On: The Importance of Workplace Respect
Interesting finding:  Employees are more likely to stay at their current employer and feel a greater sense of belonging when they feel respected.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #444
Study title:   You’re offended, I’m offended! An empirical study of the proclivity to be offended and what it says…
Interesting finding:  Individuals who were more easily offended demonstrated poorer task performance at work and had more negative attitudes as perceived by their supervisor.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #445
Study title:   Personality dimensions and their relationship with job satisfaction amongst dutch nurse anaesthetist…
Interesting finding:  Individuals who are more easygoing and let little things slide experience greater job satisfaction.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #446
Study title:   Job Burnout
Interesting finding:  Job burnout is surging internationally.
Published by:   Annual Reviews

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #447
Study title:   The Effects of Confrontation and Avoidance Coping in Response to Workplace Incivility
Interesting finding:  Workers who avoid confrontation regarding conflict have higher levels of emotional exhaustion.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #448
Study title:   Professional confidence: A concept analysis
Interesting finding:  People who trust themselves are more likely to demonstrate professional confidence.
Published by:   TandFOnline

As referenced here | Source link

18 studies about exercise and happiness

► Study #449
Study title:   Dancing To Resist, Reduce And Escape Stress
Interesting finding:  Dancing is an excellent way to relieve stress and may have more benefits than any other form of exercise.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #450
Study title:   Walking On Sunshine: Scoping Review Of The Evidence For Walking And Mental Health
Interesting finding:  Walking alone or in a group can be used as a treatment for depression, and there is some evidence that walking can also prevent depression
Published by:   BMJ

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #451
Study title:   Lack Of Exercise Is A Major Cause Of Chronic Diseases
Interesting finding:  A lack of exercising may lead to severe chronic ilnesses.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   A Systematic Review Of The Relationship Between Physical Activity And Happiness
Interesting finding:  There is a significant increase in happiness even if you just exercise 1 day a week and that even 10 minutes may be enough to make you happier.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   A Rct Comparing Daily Mindfulness Meditations, Biofeedback Exercises, And Daily Physical Exercise On…
Interesting finding:  Physical exercise is just as effective in reducing worrying as mindfulness meditation.
Published by:   Springer Link

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Reducing Addictions Via The Self-Soothing Effects Of Yoga
Interesting finding:  Yoga promotes the creation and focus upon an atmosphere of mindfulness.
Published by:   Guilford Press Periodicals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Long-Term Association Between Leisure-Time Physical Activity And Changes In Happiness: Analysis Of T…
Interesting finding:  People who were inactive are more than twice as likely to be unhappy as those who remain active.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Effects Of Physical Exercise On Cognitive Functioning And Wellbeing: Biological And Psychological Be…
Interesting finding:  Physical activity has been linked to increased confidence and emotional stability, positive body image and improved self-control.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   How we walk affects what we remember: gait modifications through biofeedback change negative affecti…
Interesting finding:  A study compared people walking with slumped posture and upright. The latter had much more positive memories of the walk.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Reflective learning in sport: a case study of a senior level triathlete
Interesting finding:  Practicing self-reflection is considered necessary in order to improve physical and mental performance.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Laughter-Based Exercise Program For Older Adults Has Health Benefits, Georgia State Researchers Find
Interesting finding:  Incorporating laughter in workouts helps participants relax, strengthens muscles and improves mental health.
Published by:   Georgia State University

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   The Relationships between Physical Activity and Life Satisfaction and Happiness among Young, Middle-…
Interesting finding:  People with moderate to high activity levels have significantly higher life satisfaction and happiness than those with lower levels.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   The exercise effect
Interesting finding:  It takes just about five minutes after a moderate workout for your mood to improve.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   The influence of 15-week exercise training on dietary patterns among young adults
Interesting finding:  Exercising regularly leads people to start eating healthier over time.
Published by:   Nature

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Debunking the Myth of Exercise-Induced Immune Suppression: Redefining the Impact of Exercise on Immu…
Interesting finding:  Doing regular exercise helps keep your immune system from weakening as you age, keeping you stronger and healthier for longer.
Published by:   Frontiers in Psychology

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Lifestyle and neurocognition in older adults with cognitive impairments
Interesting finding:  Cardio exercise improves working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control among adults who are at risk of cognitive decline.
Published by:   American Academy of Neurology

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Physical activity and self-esteem: testing direct and indirect relationships associated with psychol…
Interesting finding:  Exercising increases self-esteem even if you don’t experience any physical changes.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Self-regulation of mood: Strategies for changing a bad mood, raising energy, and reducing tension.
Interesting finding:  Exercise is the best way to get rid of a bad mood.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

8 studies about social media and happiness

► Study #452
Study title:   The Rewarding Nature Of Social Interactions
Interesting finding:  The dopamine we receive from someone retweeting a tweet or liking a social media post activates the same reward circuits in our brain as money, delicious food, and psychostimulant drugs.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Problematic Social Media Use And Mental Health (Depression, Anxiety, And Insomnia) Among Lebanese Ad…
Interesting finding:  Research suggests that social media use is linked to several mental health disorders.
Published by:   Wiley Online Library

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   No More Fomo: Limiting Social Media Decreases Loneliness And Depression
Interesting finding:  Limiting your social media use can decrease depression and loneliness.
Published by:   Guilford Press Periodicals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   The Mediating Effect Of Envy On Time Spent On Highly Visual Social Media And General Life Satisfacti…
Interesting finding:  People who spent more time on highly visual social media are more likely to experience envy.
Published by:   Universiteit van Twente

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Sweden´S Largest Facebook Study
Interesting finding:  People comparing themselves to others on Facebook are more likely to suffer low self-esteem and depressive symptoms.
Published by:   Gothenburg Research Institute

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   #Fitspo Or #Loveyourself? The Impact Of Fitspiration And Self-Compassion Instagram Images On Women’S…
Interesting finding:  Looking at positive, self-compassion related social media posts can reduce negative mood
Published by:   Worktribe

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Add A Comment … How Fitspiration And Body Positive Captions Attached To Social Media Images Influenc…
Interesting finding:  “Fitspiration”-type posts calling people to improve their personal fitness increased negative mood.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   The Facebook Paths To Happiness: Effects Of The Number Of Facebook Friends And Self-Presentation On…
Interesting finding:  Pretending to be happy on social media can make you happier, but being honest gets you more support from friends.
Published by:   Research Gate

As referenced here | Source link

8 studies about diet and happiness

► Study #452
Study title:   Can Chocolate Boost Mood?
Interesting finding:  Dark chocolate contains an antioxidant that gives you a burst of endorphins and serotonin.
Published by:   Psych Central

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Chewing Gum Alleviates Negative Mood And Reduces Cortisol During Acute Laboratory Psychological Stre…
Interesting finding:  Chewing gum alleviates poor mood and reduces the stress hormone cortisol.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Mind Over Stomach: A Review Of The Cognitive Drivers Of Food Satiation
Interesting finding:  A 2017 study on sensory-specific satiety found that the first bite of delicious food tastes better than all successive bites.
Published by:   University of Chicago

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Eat Green, Be Happy: New Study Finds Vegans Are Happier
Interesting finding:  Vegans report higher happiness levels than meat-eaters (+7%).
Published by:   Tracking Happiness

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Healthy Food Choices Are Happy Food Choices: Evidence From A Real Life Sample Using Smartphone Based…
Interesting finding:  Healthy eating correlated with improved mood and happiness, the biggest effect caused by eating vegetables.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Social Eating Connects Communities
Interesting finding:  People who share meals more often report feeling happier and more satisfied.
Published by:   Oxford University

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Healthy Food Makes You Happy: Research Shows A Healthy Diet Improves Your Mental Health
Interesting finding:  Healthy, quality food has been linked to happiness.
Published by:   Forbes

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   The link between food and mental health
Interesting finding:  There’s a link between children who were brought up eating fast food, copious amounts of sugar-infused foods and drinks with an ADHD diagnosis.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

4 studies about nature and happiness

► Study #452
Study title:   Benefits Of Sunlight: A Bright Spot For Human Health
Interesting finding:  Exposure to sunlight increases both serotonin and endorphins – two happiness hormones.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Positive Affect And Markers Of Inflammation: Discrete Positive Emotions Predict Lower Levels Of Infl…
Interesting finding:  Experiencing a sense of awe reduces stress and increases satisfaction.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Icu Patient Family Stress Recovery During Breaks In A Hospital Garden And Indoor Environments
Interesting finding:  Spending time outdoors significantly reduces stress.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   The Cognitive Benefits Of Interacting With Nature
Interesting finding:  Spending time outdoors increases cognitive functioning, improves your immune system, and reduces stress and blood pressure.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

4 studies about goals and happiness

► Study #452
Study title:   A Closer Look At Life Goals Across Adulthood: Applying A Developmental Perspective To Content, Dynam…
Interesting finding:  People who view their goals as attainable have higher mental and emotional wellbeing.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Hope And The Meaningful Life: Theoretical And Empirical Associations Between Goal–Directed Thinking…
Interesting finding:  To live meaningfully, you must pursue a personal goal, but accomplishing that goal is less important than having them.
Published by:   Guilford Press Periodicals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   New Directions in Goal-Setting Theory
Interesting finding:  Goal setting is linked with improved self-confidence, motivation, and autonomy.
Published by:   University of Baltimore

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Cognitive Processes in Response to Goal Failure: A Study of Ruminative Thought and its Affective Con…
Interesting finding:  When we strive to meet unachievable goals, we increase our chances of anxiety and depression.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

17 studies about miscellaneous and happiness

► Study #452
Study title:   Emotion Regulation, Procrastination, And Watching Cat Videos Online: Who Watches Internet Cats, Why,…
Interesting finding:  People feel more energetic and happier after watching cat videos.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Self-Soothing Behaviors With Particular Reference To Oxytocin Release Induced By Non-Noxious Sensory…
Interesting finding:  By getting a massage, your body releases oxytocin, as well as serotonin and dopamine.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Touch May Alleviate Existential Fears For People With Low Self-Esteem
Interesting finding:  Touching a teddy bear helps reduce existential anxiety.
Published by:   Psychological Science

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Adaptive Effects Of Seeing Green Environment On Psychophysiological Parameters When Walking Or Runni…
Interesting finding:  Green colors in your environment improve your mood in several ways.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Does Gardening Improve Your Memory?
Interesting finding:  Freshly cut grass releases at least 5 chemicals with stress-relieving properties.
Published by:   University of Queensland

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Avoiding Sedentary Behaviors Requires More Cortical Resources Than Avoiding Physical Activity: An Ee…
Interesting finding:  Research shows that our brains might just be wired for lazy behaviors.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Is Exercise Really Medicine? An Evolutionary Perspective
Interesting finding:  Physical laziness is not only a natural but normal part of being human.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Does Money Buy Happiness? A Longitudinal Study Using Data On Windfalls
Interesting finding:  People who receive unexpected windfalls like a lottery win or an inheritance are happier in the year after receiving the money, but this effect doesn’t last.
Published by:   IDEAS

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Men Are 250% More Likely To Associate Sex With Happiness Than Women, Study Finds
Interesting finding:  Men are 250% more likely to associate sex with happiness than women are.
Published by:   Tracking Happiness

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Does Money Buy Happiness? A Longitudinal Study Using Data On Windfalls
Interesting finding:  People who receive windfalls like winning a lottery also experience lower mental stress and report higher happiness in the following year.
Published by:   Warwick University

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Dopamine, Smartphones & You: A Battle For Your Time
Interesting finding:  73% of people actually experience anxiety when unable to find their phones.
Published by:   Harvard Health Publishing

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Friends with benefits: On the positive consequences of pet ownership.
Interesting finding:  Having any type of pet helps raise our self-esteem and provides us with social support.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Why do people love their pets?
Interesting finding:  Losing a dog can be as difficult as losing a human loved one.
Published by:   Science Direct

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   How dogs stole our hearts
Interesting finding:  When we share eye contact with our dogs, oxytocin is released in our brains.
Published by:   Science.org

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   Life Is Pleasant—and Memory Helps to Keep It That Way!
Interesting finding:  As time goes on, the negative emotions associated with a memory seem to fade.
Published by:   APA

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   The Fault is not in the Stars: Susceptibility of Skeptics and Believers in Astrology to the Barnum E…
Interesting finding:  We’re more likely to consider positive interpretations of ourselves as accurate when compared with negative interpretations.
Published by:   Sage journals

As referenced here | Source link

► Study #452
Study title:   The resolution solution: longitudinal examination of New Year’s change attempts
Interesting finding:  New Year’s resolutions are started with promises of dedication and determination, only for 43 percent to fall by the wayside within a month.
Published by:   NCBI

As referenced here | Source link

💡 By the way: If you want to start feeling better and more productive, I’ve condensed the information of 100’s of our articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet here. 👇

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If there’s a happiness study that you’re missing from this list, please let me know in the comments below! I aim to keep this page as fresh and updated as I can!

Hugo
Hugo Huijer AuthorLinkedIn Logo

Founder of Tracking Happiness, with over 100 interviews and a focus on practical advice, our content extends beyond happiness tracking. Hailing from the Netherlands, I’m a skateboarding enthusiast, marathon runner, and a dedicated data junkie, tracking my happiness for over a decade.

The post 507 Happiness Studies: The Most Interesting Data From Trusted Studies appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

]]> https://www.trackinghappiness.com/happiness-studies/feed/ 0 The Most Broken New Year’s Resolutions of 2022 (Study of 14k Respondents) https://www.trackinghappiness.com/most-broken-new-years-resolutions/ https://www.trackinghappiness.com/most-broken-new-years-resolutions/#respond Sat, 31 Dec 2022 14:49:00 +0000 https://www.trackinghappiness.com/?p=14353 With the new year upon us, lots of people are jumping on a new year's resolution. But what are the odds of a happy ending? We surveyed over 14 thousand people to find the most broken new year's resolution.

The post The Most Broken New Year’s Resolutions of 2022 (Study of 14k Respondents) appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

]]> New year’s resolutions are for kids and wishful thinkers, or at least according to a recent comment from one of our readers.

So what are the odds that you’re going to break your new year’s resolution? She which resolutions are most likely to be broken? We surveyed 14,458 people to give you the answers.

So if you’re a ready to turn your life around in 2023 with the help of a new year’s resolution, you might want to keep on reading!

The most often broken new year’s resolutions

The top 5 most broken new year’s resolutions are:

  1. Quitting drinking entirely.
  2. Doing more exercise or improving my fitness.
  3. Giving up smoking.
  4. Losing weight.
  5. Improving my diet.
most broken new years resolutions study

We asked 14,458 respondents in a survey about their new year’s resolutions:

  • Did you ever make a new year’s resolution in your life?
  • In the past, were you good at keeping your new year’s resolution?
  • Which resolutions have you made (and kept!) in the past?
  • Which resolutions did you break in the past?

We tracked all the new year’s resolutions and calculated which resolutions are most likely to be broken.

Some interesting observations from this data:

  • “Quitting drinking entirely” is the most difficult-to-keep new year’s resolution.
  • Nearly 60% of people that want to do more exercise or improve their fitness will break their new year’s resolution in a matter of weeks.
  • In contrast to quitting drinking entirely, the majority of respondents who simply want to “cut down on drinking” will keep their resolutions.
  • “Spending less time on social media” is amongst the more difficult-to-keep new year’s resolutions, confirming the tight grip that social media companies have on our lives.

Here’s the rundown of the top 5 with specific observations for each new year’s resolution.

5. Improving my diet

Failing to improve your diet is in the top 5 of most broken new year’s resolutions. But when do you officially fail this new year’s resolution? After having a slice of pizza on a cheat day?

Even though this resolution is a bit ambiguous, it’s also one of the most difficult resolutions to keep.

Here’s one of our readers that failed to keep her new year’s resolution:

I’ve been addicted to sugar for as long as I can remember, and I really wanted to get rid of this constant craving. That’s why I planned on going full keto in the new year.

I caved after exactly 4 days, when I went to a friend for his birthday.

Elizabeth from Arizona, US, survey respondent

What about Google Search trends? How often do people search for diet tips on Google around new year’s eve?

ny resolution diet google search trends

The popularity of the term “Diet” on Google enjoys a yearly rise during new year’s eve. But this rise is quickly followed by a sharp decline, which continues to decline all the way through December.

Interestingly, the pandemic dip is clearly visible here. At the start of the pandemic, normal search behavior on Google disappeared and all people could think about was lockdowns, covid symptoms and stocking up on toilet paper.

As the dip shows, no one was interested in a new diet during the start of the pandemic.

4. Losing weight

Have you ever stepped on the scale after Christmas to be completely shocked at your weight gain?

You’re not alone. Losing weight was the second-most-popular new year’s resolution for 2022, only after “Saving more money” (based on this study report here).

Here are the Google Search trends for the term “Weight loss”.

ny resolution weight loss google search trends

Again, you can see a yearly spike in popularity on the first day of the year. Similar to the term “Diet”, the popularity declines throughout the year.

At the end of the year in December – and especially around Christmas – nobody seems to be interested in losing weight.

3. Giving up smoking

It’s no surprise that giving up smoking makes the top 5.

Based on this well-known study, it takes an average of 2.1 tries to successfully quit smoking.

Some would say that waiting for the new year to quit something only decreases your odds, as it could be just a case of procrastination. So it can be argued that people who want to quit smoking as their new year’s resolution are even more prone to fail.

Here’s another one of our readers that broke his new year’s resolution:

I was feeling really inspired when I claimed I was going to quit smoking in 2022. Maybe it was the alcohol talking. When I woke up on January 1st (well in the afternoon), the first thing I did was to go out for a cigarette…

Fynn from Manchester, UK, survey respondent

Here are the Google Search trends for the term “Quit smoking”.

ny resolution quit smoking google search trends

Search popularity for “Quit smoking” terms decreases by almost 50% right after new year’s eve. Moreso, it looks like the pandemic has made people less interested in quitting smoking.

Or maybe that’s just a natural effect of the constantly decreasing population that smokes in the first place?

2. Doing more exercise or improving my fitness

When we published our initial survey results, we received a fun comment from one of our readers:

I’ve been going to the gym for years, and the new year’s resolutioners never stick around.

Somebody who truly wants something doesn’t wait for an excuse to start…

An anonymous comment on our study

Are you one of these gym-goers and haven’t yet gone again?

Google Search trends explains how the majority of new gym-goers in January slowly drop out during the first quarter. And by March, the interest in fitness has gone back to normal levels.

ny resolution fitness google search trends

1. Quitting drinking entirely

If your resolution for 2023 is to “Quit drinking”, then you’re in for a challenge.

Lots of people don’t just want to change their relationship with alcohol, they want to break up completely. But to turn this challenge into a new year’s resolution seems to be a recipe for disaster. “Quitting drinking entirely” is the most difficult-to-keep new year’s resolution based on the data from our respondents.

broken bottle of alcohol

Unfortunately, people are finding it easier to break their new year’s resolution than to break their bottles of wine, beer and whiskey.

And similar to all the other new year’s resolutions we covered, most of the people who want to quit drinking as the clock strikes midnight are losing interest in a matter of days.

ny resolution stop drinking google search trends

Methodology

If you’re curious to learn more about our methodology, here’s a link to our study appendix that explains it all (opens in a new window):

Happy New Year’s Resolutions – Study AppendixDownload

We also published another report based on the same data. Read our general report on the correlation between new year’s resolutions and happiness here.

Fair use and redistribution

Tracking Happiness grants you permission to reuse, host, or repost the graphics and images from this article. When doing so, we ask that you kindly attribute the authors by linking to Tracking Happiness or this page.

Closing words

If you still haven’t broken your new year’s resolutions by now, you’re probably in doing better than the rest! We hope this study helps you keep your new year’s resolutions for 2023, with extra motivation to not break them. And even if you do, don’t sweat it because apparently, you are not alone.

What’s your main takeaway from today’s study? Do you have a question about something from our analysis? Leave a comment below to let us know.

The post The Most Broken New Year’s Resolutions of 2022 (Study of 14k Respondents) appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

]]> https://www.trackinghappiness.com/most-broken-new-years-resolutions/feed/ 0 Breaking the Stigma: De-stigmatizing Mental Illness Using Data From 5,521 Respondents https://www.trackinghappiness.com/mental-illness-stigma/ https://www.trackinghappiness.com/mental-illness-stigma/#comments Tue, 25 Oct 2022 08:54:00 +0000 https://www.trackinghappiness.com/?p=17166 There's a big stigma when it comes to openly discussing issues of mental health. This prevents people from finding the support they need, which begins a vicious cycle of neglect, shame, and insufficient support. We felt it important to de-stigmatize mental health disorders with a narrative based on data.

The post Breaking the Stigma: De-stigmatizing Mental Illness Using Data From 5,521 Respondents appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

]]> The common narrative around mental illnesses is that they make you feel miserable and dysfunctional all the time. So logically, it’s better to steer clear of people dealing with such issues. Even more so in the workplace, where profits and results are often valued more than the long-term mental health of employees.

As a result, there’s a big stigma when it comes to openly discussing issues of mental health. This prevents people from finding the support they need, which begins a vicious cycle of neglect, shame, and insufficient support. We felt it important to de-stigmatize mental health disorders with a narrative based on data.

Our large-case survey of 5,521 respondents shows why it’s important to get rid of this stigma:

These observations, and many more, are covered in this in-depth analysis of our study.

88% of respondents experience mental health issues

We asked our respondents the following questions:

  • Over the past year, have you experienced any of the following mental health issues?

Out of 5,521 respondents, a total of 4,875 stated to struggle with at least one mental health issue.

people experiencing mental health issues bar chart

88% of the people you meet have been struggling with at least one mental health issue over the past year.

Respondents were asked to select mental health issues from a list. Here are the most frequently occurring mental health issues that our respondents dealt with over the past year.

most frequently experienced mental health issues bar chart

The mental health issues that people struggle the most with are stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, worrying constantly, and depression.

This bar chart includes all chosen mental health issues. Some respondents selected more than one of this list. As a result, the total count of mental health issues in our dataset is larger than the number of respondents who answered our survey.

On average, a person struggles with 3 mental health issues

We found that the average respondent in our survey admits to having struggled with at least 3 mental health issues over the past year.

Here’s a histogram that shows the number of struggles our respondents have dealt with over the past year:

number of mental health issues per respondent histogram

It’s important to note that this data doesn’t offer any insights into the severity of these issues. For example, if a respondent struggled with stress during a single chaotic period at work, then that person may have selected rightfully selected “Stress” as a mental health issue.

Nonetheless, it’s telling that 88% of respondents are dealing with at least one issue and that the majority of our respondents are struggling with at least 3 mental health issues.

One in four people is diagnosed with a mental health disorder

In order to get more insight into the severity of these mental health issues, we asked the following questions:

  • Have you been officially diagnosed with one of these issues?

Of our 5,521 respondents, a total of 1,443 stated that they have received an official diagnosis of their mental health issue.

respondents diagnosed with mental health issue bar chart

25% of people are officially diagnosed with at least one mental health issue.

If we only look at the issues that were officially diagnosed, we find that the 3 most occurring mental health issues are:

  1. Depression (n=424)
  2. Stress (n=404)
  3. Anxiety (n=393)

25% of people don’t feel comfortable sharing their struggles with anyone

We asked our respondents if they feel comfortable talking about their mental health issues with someone:

  • Who do you feel comfortable with talking about your issues?

This resulted in the following answers:

who do you feel comfortable discussing mental health issues bar chart

We found that 24.25% of people don’t feel comfortable talking about their struggles with anyone, no matter who that is.

Only 5.6% of our respondents feel comfortable discussing their mental health issues with anyone.

Interestingly, our respondents were more likely to discuss their mental health struggles with their friends and family than with their partners. This may be caused by the demographics of our respondents, as people who are single don’t have the possibility to discuss their issues with a partner.

Mental illness stigma in the workplace

Our study shows that the mental health stigma is most apparent in the workplace.

Only 12% of respondents who struggle with issues of mental health are comfortable talking about it in the workplace.

Interestingly enough, people are far less likely to discuss mental health with their manager(s) as opposed to a regular colleague.

comfortable discussing mental health issues at work bar chart

Only 3.71% of people feel comfortable talking with their manager(s) about their mental health issues.

This means that if you’re a manager, it’s highly likely that members of your team aren’t sharing their struggles with you.

The happiness impact of mental health disorders

We asked every respondent the following question:

  • Have any of these mental health issues affected your happiness level?

62% of people admitted that their happiness was negatively impacted by mental health issues.

happiness affected by mental health issues bar chart

That means that the remaining 38% struggle with mental health, but not enough to notice a negative impact on their mental well-being.

On average, people who struggle with their mental health are 23% less happy

We asked our respondents about their happiness levels:

  • If you look back at the last year of your life, how would you rate your happiness on a scale from 1 to 10?

We found that, on average, people dealing with mental health issues are 23% less happy than those who don’t.

happiness ratings grouped by binary mental health issue histogram

Respondents were first asked about their happiness, without knowing that our survey was going to ask them about mental health struggles.

The average happiness rating of the respondents who don’t struggle with issues is 6.93.

On the other hand, the average happiness rating of those who struggle with at least 1 mental health issue is 5.65 (-23%).

People who struggle with their mental health are 23% less happy

We’re refraining from sharing ranking the average happiness of respondents based on the issues they’re dealing with. While interesting, we believe ranking mental illness from best to worst can result in a negative impact on this topic. As long as the mental illness stigma exists, information like this may be used in a way that is harmful. For now, we choose to only release the data from our survey that we feel contributes positively to a transparent and open discussion on the topic of mental illnesses.

14% of respondents don’t seek help out of shame or embarrassment

We asked our respondents why they aren’t seeking help for their mental health issues.

Here are the results:

reasons for not receiving help mental health issues bar chart

The most common reason for people to not seek help for their mental health issues is that they don’t consider them to be significant enough.

Of the 4,875 respondents who admitted to struggling with mental health, 2,411 are not receiving help.

Of these 2,411 who don’t receive help, 411 respondents claim to do so out of shame or embarrassment.

17% of people who refrain from receiving help for their issues claim to do so out of shame or embarrassment.

978 respondents don’t seek help because they find their issues not significant enough. Interestingly, 692 of these respondents (71%) admit that their issues have affected their happiness in the past.

Some of our respondents also shared other reasons for not seeking or receiving help:

  • “I lived with mental health for so long, and I accepted it as part of my life.”
  • “I practice my own self-care techniques to manage these challenges.”
  • “I’ve tried therapy, but it either wasn’t a match or it didn’t help. But I still want to get help.”

Commentary from the team:

hugo huyer tracking happiness

Hugo Huijer, Founder of Tracking Happiness

Breaking the mental illness stigma is difficult, but it can save lives. People experiencing mental health issues often face rejection, bullying, and discrimination, especially in the workplace.

This can make their journey to recovery longer and more difficult. The more openly we talk about mental health issues, the more comfortable people become with talking openly about their issues and finding the support they need.

As our study shows, the majority of people struggle with mental health issues on occasion. The more we realize that everybody has their own struggles and challenges, the more we can show sympathy to others instead of neglect.

Methodology

Our survey consists of 5,521 respondents spread across the world. 61.2% of respondents were female, whereas 38.3% were female.

The location of respondents varied, with 38.4% coming from North America, 32.7% coming from Europe, and 23.6% coming from Asia.

Survey responses were collected between June 8, 2022, and August 15, 2022.

Responses were collected through both the Tracking Happiness newsletter and Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). MTurk is a “crowdsourcing” platform where “workers” complete tasks for a paid compensation. Survey respondents were only allowed to respond once.

Illegitimate responses such as duplicate responses or responses with missing data were filtered from the results. The survey responses were completely anonymized. No personal names or email addresses were collected.

Closing words

Numerous studies have shown why it’s so important to not neglect mental health issues. But as long as a mental illness stigma exists, people are refraining from finding help, sometimes out of shame or embarrassment. We believe that this stigma needs to be eliminated, and want to use our power to contribute positively to the de-stigmatization based on data and numbers.

What’s your main takeaway from today’s study? Do you have a question about something from our analysis? Leave a comment below to let us know.

Fair use and redistribution

Tracking Happiness grants you permission to reuse, host, or repost the graphics and images from this article. When doing so, we ask that you kindly attribute the authors by linking to Tracking Happiness or this page.

The post Breaking the Stigma: De-stigmatizing Mental Illness Using Data From 5,521 Respondents appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

]]> https://www.trackinghappiness.com/mental-illness-stigma/feed/ 3 Remote Work is Linked to Happiness: Study of 12,455 Respondents https://www.trackinghappiness.com/remote-work-leads-to-happiness-study/ https://www.trackinghappiness.com/remote-work-leads-to-happiness-study/#comments Mon, 25 Apr 2022 05:04:00 +0000 https://www.trackinghappiness.com/?p=15281 Does the ability to work remotely increase employee happiness? And how does this impact their overall happiness? Our latest study provides the answers.

The post Remote Work is Linked to Happiness: Study of 12,455 Respondents appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

]]>

Some companies have embraced the remote working environment brought on by the pandemic, while others are urging their employees to flock back to their expensive offices again. But how does this impact employee happiness?

Our large-scale study of 12,455 respondents has the answers:

These observations, and many more, are covered in this in-depth analysis of our study.

The ability to work remotely increases employee happiness

We asked our respondents the following question:

  • If you look at your work, how would you rate your happiness on a scale from 1 to 10?

This resulted in the following answers:

happiness-at-work-ratings-bar-chart

The average happiness at work of all respondents was 6.44 on a scale from 1 to 10.

We then asked them about how much of their time is spent working from home (or remotely). This resulted in the following answers.

remote working column chart

On average, our respondents spend 45% of their time working remotely.

Respondents were instructed to calculate a percentage based on a full work week. For example, if you work 8 hours per 40-hour work week remotely, then the answer should be 20%. If the remote hours varied per week, respondents were instructed to estimate the percentage for the last 30 days.

We found that the ability to work remotely is positively linked to happiness at work.

remote working vs happiness lollipop chart

The average work happiness of people who have to come into the office 100% of their time is 5.90. In contrast, employee happiness is at a 7.04 for those who spent 100% of their time working remotely. This is an increase of 20%.

Employee happiness increases as much as 20% by offering the ability to work 100% remotely.

Interestingly, we found that average employee happiness increases by 3% for every added remote workday.

Millennials are happiest when working remotely

We asked our 12,455 respondents about the generation that they belong in:

  • Which generation are you part of?

Our data shows that – on average – younger generations are more likely to work remotely.

remote working percentages by generation

We found that the happiness of Millennials increased the most as a result of working remotely.

happiness increase of remote working by generation chart

For example, when Millennials are given the ability to work an extra full day remotely, their happiness at work increases by 4% on average.

Happiness at work increases the most for Millennials when given the ability to work remotely.

Interestingly, happiness at work is highest for the youngest and oldest generations in the work field.

happiness at work by generation chart

This finding can be explained by the well-researched U-curve in happiness.

In general, happiness decreases from age 18 and reaches peak unhappiness at approximately age 47. From there, the happiness levels gradually increase again. This principle may apply to happiness at work too, which explains the lower happiness for the middle-aged generations.

If you’re struggling with happiness at work, we’ve published 12 tips on how to be happier at work that might be helpful for you! Or if you’re still on the lookout for your next job, here are 11 tips to help you find a job that makes you happy.

Returning to office-based work after the pandemic reduces employee happiness

During the pandemic, many companies offered their employees the ability to work 100% remotely.

We asked our respondents how much they got to work remotely during the peak of the pandemic.

remote working at peak pandemic column chart

On average, our respondents spent 56% of their time working remotely during the peak of the pandemic.

Since the peak of the pandemic, some companies have returned “back to normal” by herding employees back to the office. We wanted to find out how much a return to the office affects employee happiness.

We found that employees who were stripped of the ability to work remotely were relatively unhappy at work.

Respondents that had the ability to work 100% remotely at the peak of the pandemic, but are now mandated back to the office 100% of the time are significantly unhappier than the average respondent.

reducing remote work impacts happiness lollipop chart

What this data shows is that employee happiness is likely to decrease as a result of “back-to-office” mandates.

This chart only focuses on the respondents that had a reduction in remote working hours. Some respondents have gone up in their remote working hours since the peak of the pandemic, but the sample size is too small for these respondents to make any observations.

Employee happiness decreases as commute times increase

We asked our respondents how long they typically commute to their work.

This resulted in the following answers:

commute times bar chart

The median respondent of our survey travels less than 40 minutes to the office (one way).

We compared commute times with average employee happiness scores and found a negative correlation.

happiness at work vs commute times lollipop chart

Our data shows that employee happiness decreases as commute times increase.

Average happiness scores at work are relatively stable up to a commute time of 60 minutes. Work happiness sharply declines as commute times increase beyond one hour.

Happiness at work is significantly correlated to overall life happiness

At the start of our survey, we asked our respondents about their general happiness levels.

  • If you look back at the last year of your life, how would you rate your happiness on a scale from 1 to 10?

With this data, we could compare work happiness to overall life happiness for each respondent.

We created this correlation heatmap that shows each respondent on an X and Y-axis.

work happiness vs life happiness heatmap
How to read this heatmap (click to expand)

The intersection of the X and Y-axis shows the number of respondents. For example, in the lower left, 4 respondents answered that both their happiness at work and happiness in life was a 1 out of 10. The reddest cell shows that 1,095 rated their happiness at work as a 7 and their happiness in life as a 9.

The correlation between happiness at work and happiness in life is significant, with a coefficient of determination (or R2) of 0.27. In other words, 27% of someone’s life happiness can be explained by someone’s happiness at work. Interestingly, the value of this correlation did not fluctuate significantly between generations.

Commentary from the team:

hugo huyer tracking happiness

Hugo Huijer, Founder of Tracking Happiness

Our study shows that employees that have the ability to work from home are happier than those that don’t. On top of this finding, we saw a strong negative correlation between commute times and employee happiness.

In that sense, companies can improve employee happiness by simply allowing them to work from home more. Not only does this benefit the environmental footprint of your company, it also helps improve employee morale.

On top of that, studies have proven again and again that employee happiness is linked to productivity and job performance.

Having your employees work from an office might make sense in the short term. But if it results in employee unhappiness, it can result in a drop in sustainability and performance that can be far more severe than an empty office building.

Methodology

Our survey consists of 12,455 respondents spread across the world. 65.1% of respondents were male, whereas 34.5% were female.

The location of respondents varied, with 38.6% coming from North America, 36.1% coming from Asia, 19.5% coming from South America, and 5.1% coming from Europe.

Survey responses were collected between April 10, 2022 and April 17, 2022.

Responses were collected through Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). MTurk is a “crowdsourcing” platform where “workers” complete tasks for a paid compensation. Survey respondents were only allowed to respond once.

Illegitimate responses such as duplicate responses or responses with missing data were filtered from the results. The survey responses were completely anonymized. No personal names or email addresses were collected.

Closing words

If you’re a leader of a company, what’s keeping you from giving your employees the ability to work remotely? And if you’re an employee, how do you feel about our results?

While some companies embrace a remote work environment, there are some that value the benefits of a shared office space. In the end, we hope our study helps shed light on how much the ability to work from home impacts employee happiness.

What’s your main takeaway from today’s study? Do you have a question about something from our analysis? Leave a comment below to let us know.

Fair use and redistribution

Tracking Happiness grants you permission to reuse, host, or repost the graphics and images from this article. When doing so, we ask that you kindly attribute the authors by linking to Tracking Happiness or this page.

The post Remote Work is Linked to Happiness: Study of 12,455 Respondents appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

]]> https://www.trackinghappiness.com/remote-work-leads-to-happiness-study/feed/ 2 Happy People Make More New Year’s Resolutions: Here Are the Biggest Resolutions for 2022! https://www.trackinghappiness.com/happy-new-years-resolution-study/ https://www.trackinghappiness.com/happy-new-years-resolution-study/#respond Mon, 27 Dec 2021 01:53:52 +0000 https://www.trackinghappiness.com/?p=14078 How much happier would you be if you could have kept all your new year's resolutions? We surveyed 14.458 people and analyzed over 40,000 of their new year's resolutions to find the answers.

The post Happy People Make More New Year’s Resolutions: Here Are the Biggest Resolutions for 2022! appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

]]>

We surveyed 14,458 people and analyzed over 40,000 of their new year’s resolutions to find the answers.

  • Happy people are more likely to create (and keep!) new year’s resolutions.
  • “Saving more money” is the most popular new year’s resolution for 2022.
  • 36.8% of all respondents want to lose weight in 2022.
  • People who never make new year’s resolutions are significantly unhappier than those who do.
  • The new year’s resolution that’s most likely to be broken is “Quitting drinking entirely”.
  • There is a strong correlation between happiness and keeping your new year’s resolutions. In other words, people who break their new year’s resolutions are more likely to be unhappy.
  • “Quit watching porn” and “Giving up masturbation” are primarely picked by men as new year’s resolutions. 😅

These observations – and many more – are covered in this in-depth analysis of our study.

Contents and study topics:

The link between happiness and making new year’s resolutions

We surveyed 14,458 respondents from around the world and asked them the following questions:

  • If you look back at the last year of your life, how would you rate your happiness on a scale from 1 to 10?
  • Are you planning on making a new year’s resolution for 2022?

This resulted in the following data:

Happy People More Likely To Make New Years Resolutions

We found that people who are planning to make a new year’s resolution are happier than those who don’t.

Happy people are more likely to make new year’s resolutions.

This is a somewhat surprising result, for a simple reason. In essence, new year’s resolutions are meant to motivate someone to improve their life. Hypothetically speaking, someone who’s perfectly happy doesn’t need any new year’s resolution. In that sense, you would expect that unhappy people are more likely to make new year’s resolutions.

It’s interesting to see that the opposite is true. Luckily, our analysis provides some answers as to why this is.

Respondents were asked about their happiness before they found out the survey was about any new year’s resolutions. We specifically did so to prevent any bias to influence the results of the survey.

We asked our respondents what their new year’s resolutions for 2022 were going to be.

Here are the answers we got:

Which New Years Resolutions Are Most Popular For 2022

Of all the 14,458 respondents in our survey, the majority (80%) replied that they were planning on making at least one new year’s resolution. In total, these respondents choose 40,735 new year’s resolutions, at an average of 3.5 new year’s resolutions per person.

The most popular new year’s resolution for 2022 is to “save more money”.

Based on this data, we’ve learned some statistics about the popularity of different new year’s resolutions:

  • 54.2% of people’s new year’s resolution is “Saving more money”.
  • 36.8% of people’s new year’s resolution is “Losing weight”.
  • 36.5% of people’s new year’s resolution is “Doing more exercise or improving my fitness”.
  • 34.2% of people’s new year’s resolution is “Improving my diet”.
  • 32.0% of people’s new year’s resolution is “Pursuing a career ambition”.
  • 31.9% of people’s new year’s resolution is “Spending more time with family”.
  • 26.6% of people’s new year’s resolution is “Taking up a new hobby”.
  • 17.8% of people’s new year’s resolution is “Spending less time on social media”.
  • 14.5% of people’s new year’s resolution is “Volunteering or doing more charity work”.
  • 12.3% of people’s new year’s resolution is “Decorating or renovating part of my home”.
  • 11.1% of people’s new year’s resolution is “Raising money for a charity”.
  • 10.4% of people’s new year’s resolution is “Giving up smoking”.
  • 9.9% of people’s new year’s resolution is “Quit watching porn”.
  • 8.3% of people’s new year’s resolution is “Cutting down on drinking”.
  • 7.4% of people’s new year’s resolution is “Giving up masturbation”.
  • 4.5% of people’s new year’s resolution is “Quitting drinking entirely”.

Other – less frequent – new year’s resolutions included “Travel more”, “Stop people-pleasing”, “Quit gambling” and “Travel to Lake Bled in Slovenia”. 😅

Do happy people make different new year’s resolutions?

Happy people are more likely to make a new year’s resolution. But do these happy people make different new year’s resolutions?

We compared the average happiness ratings of 11,574 respondents for each new year’s resolution. Here’s the data:

Do Happy People Make Different New Years Resolutions

This shows an interesting difference between the happiness of our respondents.

People who want to “Raise money for a charity” as their new year’s resolutions are generally the happiest.

The following new year’s resolutions are made by people who are happier than average:

  1. Raising money for a charity (7.78).
  2. Decorating or renovating part of my home (7.67).
  3. Cutting down on drinking (7.63).

Whereas these following new year’s resolutions are made by relatively unhappy people:

  1. Doing more exercise or improving my fitness (7.24).
  2. Pursuing a career ambition (7.32).
  3. Giving up masturbation (7.32).

People who want to “Do more exercise or improve my fitness” as their new year’s resolutions are generally the unhappiest.

It’s easy to see why “Doing more exercise or improving my fitness” is ranked at the bottom of the happiness chart. It’s been proven that people who are unfit or overweight score significantly lower on happiness and overall mental health.

How many new year’s resolutions are broken?

Despite all these positive hopes and dreams for 2022, the data proves that almost half of these resolutions will likely be broken.

47.4% of all new year’s resolutions will likely be broken.

We tracked all individually made new year’s resolutions, and asked our respondents whether or not they kept or broken them.

How Many New Years Resolutions Are Broken

We asked our respondents about previously made resolutions:

  • Did you ever make a new year’s resolution in your life?
  • In the past, were you good at keeping your new year’s resolution?
  • Which resolutions have you made (and kept!) in the past?
  • Which resolutions did you break in the past?

The answers show that roughly 50% of people manage to keep their new year’s resolutions.

Were You Good At Keeping Your New Years Resolutions

Which new year’s resolutions are most likely to be broken?

If you’re planning to make “Quit drinking” your new year’s resolution for 2022, you’re in for a challenge.

Based on our data, we determined how likely some new year’s resolutions are to be broken. Here’s how each new year’s resolution compared:

Which New Years Resolutions Are Most Likely To Be Broken

Some interesting observations from this data:

  • “Quitting drinking entirely” is the most difficult-to-keep new year’s resolution.
  • “Raising money for a charity” is the easiest new year’s resolution, with a success rate of 70%.
  • “Spending less time on social media” is amongst the more difficult-to-keep new year’s resolutions, confirming the thight grip that social media companies – such as Facebook Meta – have on our lives.
  • Nearly 60% of people that want to do more exercise or improve their fitness will break their new year’s resolution.
  • In contrast to quitting drinking entirely, the majority of respondents who simply want to “cut down on drinking” will keep their resolutions.

“Quitting drinking entirely” is the most frequently broken new year’s resolution.

So, if you’re still deciding which new year’s resolution to make, these statistics might help you avoid failure in the new year!

The impact of a broken new year’s resolution on our happiness

The data shows that roughly half of all new year’s resolutions will be broken. But will this impact your happiness?

We compared the thousands of broken new year’s resolutions with the respondents, and found some very interesting results.

  • The average happiness rating of all respondents (14,458) is 7.09.
  • The average happiness rating of respondents with broken new year’s resolutions (6,339) is 6.52.
  • The average happiness rating of respondents who failed to “Quit drinking entirely” (664) is 6.05.
Impact Of Breaking A Resolution On Your Happiness

This shows that “Quitting drinking entirely” is not only the most broken new year’s resolution, it’s also the one that leaves you most unhappy.

Breaking the resolution “Quitting drinking entirely” seems to have the biggest impact on a person’s happiness.

Perhaps more interesting is that the new year’s resolution “Spending more time with family” ranks on top of this list. The average person who failed to keep this new year’s resolution has a happiness rating of 7.34.

Interestingly enough, this is higher than the average happiness rating of all our respondents.

This implies that failing to spend more time with family actually has a positive influence on a person’s happiness. What causes this difference? Perhaps we should have made the difference between direct family and family-in-law?

We’ll let you decide.

Is there a difference between men and women?

Do women make more new year’s resolutions? Do men make different goals for the new year?

We compared our male and female responses, and found some noteworthy differences:

  • Women make more new year’s resolutions, but only slightly. Women make an average of 3.65 resolutions, whereas men make 3.42 resolutions on average.
  • Men are slightly better at keeping their new year’s resolutions. 52.7% of men have kept their past new year’s resolutions, while the same can be said for 46.8% of our women respondents. This difference can partially be explained by the fact that women make more new year’s resolution per person.

However, what we found more interesting is the difference between men and women on some new year’s resolutions.

Men V Women Popularity Of New Years Resolutions
  • “Cutting down on drinking” is made up of 62.2% male respondents.
  • “Quit watching porn” is made up of 62.1% male respondents.
  • “Giving up masturbation” is made up of 59.7% male respondents.

Giving up masturbation, quitting watching porn, and cutting down on drinking are resolutions made mostly by men.

On the other hand, some resolutions were dominated by our female respondents:

  • “Decorating or renovating part of my home” is made up of 57.4% female respondents.
  • “Losing weight” is made up of 56.2% female respondents.
  • “Doing more exercise or improving my fitness” is made up of 54.9% female respondents.

Commentary from the team:

hugo huyer tracking happiness

Hugo Huijer, Founder of Tracking Happiness

If you’re someone who only goes to the gym on the 3rd of January and never again, you can rest assured: you are not the only one. 59% of people break their resolution of doing more exercise and end up with wasted gym memberships!

Don’t be discouraged. New year’s resolutions are more often made by happier people, to begin with. But how come that people who set new year’s resolutions are happier than those who don’t? You could argue that making a new year’s resolution means that there’s an aspect of your life that you are unhappy with and want to improve.

We believe that a willingness to improve one’s life is correlated with an optimistic mindset, and therefore, a happier mindset. Respondents who are making new year’s resolutions – regardless of whether they keep them or not – are happier than those who don’t bother to try. Being mindful of the aspects in your life that you want to improve is a form of self-awareness, which in turn is proven to be correlated with happiness.

Methodology

If you’re curious to learn more about our methodology, here’s a link to our study appendix that explains it all (opens in a new window):

Happy New Year’s Resolutions – Study AppendixDownload

Fair use and redistribution

Tracking Happiness grants you permission to reuse, host, or repost the graphics and images from this article. When doing so, we ask that you kindly attribute the authors by linking to Tracking Happiness or this page.

Closing words

If it isn’t clear by now, we are big supporters of making new year’s resolutions. We hope this study helps you in making your new year’s resolutions for 2022, with extra motivation to not break them. And even if you do, don’t sweat it because apparently, you are not alone.

What’s your main takeaway from today’s study? Do you have a question about something from our analysis? Leave a comment below to let us know.

The post Happy People Make More New Year’s Resolutions: Here Are the Biggest Resolutions for 2022! appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

]]> https://www.trackinghappiness.com/happy-new-years-resolution-study/feed/ 0 The Happiness of Pet Owners: New Study Reveals the Happiest Pet Owners https://www.trackinghappiness.com/happiness-of-pet-owners-study/ https://www.trackinghappiness.com/happiness-of-pet-owners-study/#respond Sun, 03 Oct 2021 22:18:00 +0000 https://www.trackinghappiness.com/?p=13240 Do you have a pet, and do you think your animal companion makes your life happier? Today, on World Animal Day, we release our findings that reveal just how much happiness pets can bring to our lives.

The post The Happiness of Pet Owners: New Study Reveals the Happiest Pet Owners appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

]]>

Do you have a pet, and do you think your animal companion makes your life happier? Today on World Animal Day, we release our findings that reveal just how much happiness pets can bring to our lives.

We asked 12,167 people similar questions and learned how much pets influence our lives. But what about the type of pets? Are dog owners happier than cat owners? What about hamsters?

Our large-scale study of 12,167 respondents has proof:

  • Horse owners are the happiest compared to other pet owners.
  • Pet owners are significantly happier than those who are petless.
  • Happier people are more likely to want pets in the future.
  • Dog owners are significantly happier than cat owners.
  • Guinea pig owners are almost as unhappy as non-pet owners.
  • People that got their pet during the pandemic are happier than those who already had theirs prior to the pandemic.

We want to celebrate animals and pets around the world. We asked our respondents to share pictures with their pets. Pictures speak louder than words, so if you’re not convinced by the data in our study, we’ll let the images do the talking.

Pet study 2021 photo strip 1

Contents and study topics:

Are pet owners happier?

We surveyed 12,167 respondents from around the world and asked them the following questions:

  • If you look back at the last year of your life, how would you rate your happiness on a scale from 1 to 10?
  • Does your household currently have a pet?

This resulted in the following data:

Pet Owners Are Happier - Bar Chart - 2021 Study

Pet owners are significantly happier than those who are petless.

  • The 9,663 respondents with pets in their household scored an average happiness rating of 7.01.
  • The 2,504 petless respondents scored significantly lower at 6.26.

Pet owners are +12% happier than people without pets.

The average happiness rating of all 12,167 respondents was 6.86.

Respondents were asked about their happiness before they found out the survey was about pets. We specifically did so to prevent any bias to influence the results of the survey.

Is happiness correlated to wanting future pets?

We asked our petless respondents whether or not they are planning to get a pet in the future, in addition to their happiness ratings.

This chart shows the answers:

Happy People More Likely To Want Future Pets - Lollipop Chart - 2021 Study

A person’s happiness is positively correlated to the likelihood of wanting a pet in the future.

Happier people are more likely to want pets in the future.

Whether this is a result of causation or simple correlation can not be determined with our data. Perhaps, a person that is both healthy and financially secure is more likely to be happier and want pets in the future.

We asked the pet owners in our survey what kind of pet(s) they have in their household.

Which Pets Are Most Popular - Bar Chart - 2021 Study

The 9,663 pet owners in our survey listed 17,387 different types of pets. For example, one of the respondents claimed to have dogs, cats, horses and reptiles. We calculated that this owner has 4 different types of pets.

This means that the average pet owner in our survey has 1.80 different types of pets.

Based on this data, we’ve learned some statistics about the popularity of different pets:

  • 79% of our respondents claimed to have at least one pet in their household.
  • 74% of pet owners have a dog in their household.
  • 51% of pet owners have a cat in their household.
  • 20% of pet owners have a bird in their household.
  • 19% of pet owners hold some type of fish.
  • 5.6% of pet owners have a rabbit in their household.
  • 3.6% of pet owners hold some type of reptile.
  • 2.9% of pet owners have a horse as part of their household.
  • 1.7% of pet owners have a hamster.
  • 1.1% of pet owners have a ferret.
  • 0.7% of pet owners have a guinea pig.

Pets listed under “Others” are goats, hedgehogs, aquatic snails, turtles and chinchillas, amongst others.

Which pets owners are the happiest?

Are dog owners happier than cat owners? What about horses? Or hamsters?

These are questions that – surprisingly – haven’t been answered as of yet. Based on our large sample of 9.663 pet owners, here are the answers:

Which Pet Owners Are Happiest - Bar Chart - 2021 Study

On average, horse owners are the happiest amongst our respondents with a happiness rating of 7.31.

Horse owners are the happiest pet owners, based on a survey of 12,167 respondents.

The average happiness ratings per type of pet are as follows:

  • Horses: 7.37
  • Dogs: 7.29
  • Birds: 7.28
  • Ferrets: 7.28
  • Fish: 7.25
  • Hamsters: 7.06
  • Reptiles: 6.97
  • Cats: 6.95
  • Rabbits: 6.82
  • Guinea pigs: 6.50
  • Petless respondents: 6.26

As stated before, it’s not clear whether this is a result of causation or simple correlation. Perhaps, a person that is able to own a horse is more likely to be healthy and financially secure and therefore to be happier.

Interestingly, all pet owners scored a higher average happiness rating compared to the petless respondents. Even the unhappiest pet owners – people that own guinea pigs – are happier than those without any pets at all.

Guinea pig owners are almost as unhappy as non-pet owners.

Dog owners averaged a significantly higher happiness score when compared to their feline counterparts. Compared to cat owners, dog owners are 5% happier than cat owners.

Dog owners are +5% happier than cat owners.

Of all the pet owners in our survey, those who had guinea pigs averaged the lowest happiness score with a 6.50 on a scale from 1 to 10. This is still higher than the average happiness rating of all 2,504 petless respondents.

More pets lead to more happiness?

Do you have more than one type of pet? If so, do you feel like your happiness is positively influenced by you having more than 1 pet?

Our data shows that the number of pets in a household is associated with a person’s happiness.

Number Of Pets Correlated With Happiness - Bar Chart - 2021 Study

Our data showed that happiness is positively correlated to the number of pets in a household. But the effect of having more types of pets diminishes for persons having 3 pets or more.

Pet diversity is correlated to happiness, based on a survey of 12,167 respondents.

As noted before, it is unclear whether this increase in happiness is causal or a simple correlation. It’s easy to imagine that people who are in a position to have more pets are also financially prosperous, in good health, secure and in a safe environment. These are all factors that are proven to be correlated with happiness as well. Therefore, the exact impact of having more pets on a person’s happiness remains unclear.

What about pandemic pets?

It’s been widely reported that the demand for pets has increased significantly since the start of the pandemic.

This is clearly supported by Google Search Trends for the term “Buy a dog”.

Google Search Trends Buy A Dog 2019-2020

We asked our survey respondents:

  • Did your pet join your household during the pandemic?

Our data suggests that owners of “pandemic pets” are happier than those who already owned their pets prior to the pandemic.

Pandemic Pet Owners Are Happiest - Bar Chart - 2021 Study

The happiness ratings differed significantly for respondents that got their pet(s) after the start of the worldwide pandemic in March 2020.

  • 4,565 respondents got their pets during the pandemic. They averaged a score of 7.36 on the happiness scale.
  • 5,098 respondents already had their pets prior to the pandemic. They averaged a score of 6.70 on the happiness scale.

Both groups are happier than the average petless respondent.

People that got their pet during the pandemic are happier than those who already had theirs prior to the pandemic.

Is this perhaps a result of hedonic adaptation? In other words, is there a “freshness” factor when it comes to getting a new pet? Studies have shown that a person’s happiness slowly returns to a stable baseline level after a positive change in circumstances. Based on our data, we can’t tell whether or not the difference in happiness actually has something to do with the pandemic.

Know your responsibility towards pets

During the pandemic, we’ve seen an alarming increase in reports of animal abuse and abandonment. This has been reported by outlets such as the Conversation. Many people wanted to alleviate the boredom and stress of sitting at home and found a solution by getting a pet.

However, pets are sentient beings, meaning that they want to live a long and happy life just as much as you do.

As much as pets can experience joy, happiness and love, so are they able to experience suffering, sadness and heartbreak. It’s your responsibility – as a pet owner – to take care of your pet as you would like to be taken care of by others.

If you want to enrich your household with a pet, be prepared to commit.

Commentary from the team:

hugo huyer tracking happiness

Hugo Huijer, Founder of Tracking Happiness

No matter if you own a dog, cat, snake or a goldfish, we want to celebrate all positive relationships between humans and animals. Our results show that pets can bring happiness to our lives, which is something we shouldn’t take for granted.

So before you finish reading this study and run out to the nearest pet shop or animal shelter, our team wants to share this message:

As pet owners, we carry a responsibility. Animals want to live a happy and secure life just as much as we do. It’s not a pet’s responsibility to make the owner happy, it’s the other way around. It’s our responsibility as pet owners to make sure our pets live happy and safe lives.

World Animal Day is a special occasion to celebrate positive relationships between animals and humans. But your responsibility as a pet owner doesn’t stop after this day. Your responsibility as a pet owner lasts for the rest of the pet’s life.

Be prepared to commit.

Methodology

If you’re curious to learn more about our methodology, here’s a link to our study appendix that explains it all (opens in a new window):

The Happiness of Pet Owners – Study AppendixDownload

Fair use and redistribution

Tracking Happiness grants you permission to reuse, host, or repost the graphics and images from this article. When doing so, we ask that you kindly attribute the authors by linking to Tracking Happiness or this page.

Closing words

At Tracking Happiness, our aim is to highlight things to be grateful for. While celebrating World Animal Day, we hope the release of this study helps you celebrate the presence of your pet, whether your pet is an aquatic snail, a chinchilla, hamster or a parrot.

What’s your main takeaway from today’s study? Do you have a question about something from the analysis? Leave a comment below to let us know.

The post The Happiness of Pet Owners: New Study Reveals the Happiest Pet Owners appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

]]> https://www.trackinghappiness.com/happiness-of-pet-owners-study/feed/ 0 Eat Green, Be Happy: New Study Finds Vegans Are Happier https://www.trackinghappiness.com/vegan-happiness-prejudices-study/ https://www.trackinghappiness.com/vegan-happiness-prejudices-study/#comments Tue, 25 May 2021 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.trackinghappiness.com/?p=11775 All vegans are negative, pretentious, unhappy and angry protestors. Or at least, that's what the stereotypes have you believe. But is this actually true? It turns out to be the opposite: vegans are both happier than meat-eaters and more liked than what's commonly believed.

The post Eat Green, Be Happy: New Study Finds Vegans Are Happier appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

]]> All vegans are negative, pretentious, unhappy and angry protestors. Or at least, that’s what the stereotypes have you believe. But is this actually true? It turns out to be the opposite: vegans are both happier than meat-eaters and more liked than what’s commonly believed.

Our large-scale study of 11,537 respondents has proof:

  • Vegans report higher happiness levels than meat-eaters (+7%).
  • Happier people are more likely to turn 100% vegan in the future.
  • Only 14% of our meat-eating respondents reported a negative bias towards vegans. Non-vegans aren’t nearly as opposed to veganism as the stereotypes suggest.
  • 32% of vegans & vegetarians state that their biggest driver is the environment.
  • Older people are less likely to ever adopt a vegan diet.

If you’re wondering how to be happy, should you consider veganism? These observations – and many more – are covered in this in-depth analysis of our study.

Contents and study topics:

Vegans are happier than meat-eaters

We surveyed 11,537 respondents from the United States and asked them the following questions:

  • If you look back at the last year of your life, how would you rate your happiness on a scale from 1 to 10?

This resulted in the following answers:

happiness ratings all respondents

The average happiness rating of all 11,537 respondents was 6.90.

We then asked about their diet, and grouped the results in the following categories:

  • Vegan (n=1,179)
  • Vegetarian (n=948)
  • Pescatarian (n=422)
  • Meat-eater (n=8,988)

Our data showed that meat-eaters scored the lowest average happiness rating.

happiness ratings per diet 2

The average happiness rating of each group was calculated:

  • Vegans: 7.27
  • Vegetarians: 7.31
  • Pescatarians: 6.99
  • Meat-eaters: 6.80
  • Total average: 6.90

What experts say…

PETA logo vegan study

Mimi Bekhechi – PETA Vice President of International Programmes


It’s no wonder vegans are happier – by sparing animals atrocious suffering, helping to save the planet, and improving their own health, vegans can enjoy peace of mind and a clean conscience. If you want to join the happy v-gang, you’re in luck: going vegan has never been easier or tastier.

What experts say…

francine jordan vegan society portrait

Francine Jordan – Spokesperon for the Vegan Society


We’re not surprised by these findings at all. We know that the image of veganism is undergoing the most radical change in its history, while shedding some tired, old stereotypes. It’s no longer portrayed as an unusual lifestyle, it’s easy and accessible – you can walk into any supermarket and be greeted by a huge range of plant-based products or walk into any restaurant and be presented with an exciting vegan menu. There has never been a better time to be vegan and it’s great to see that vegans are much happier too!

Based on 11,537 respondents, our data shows that vegans are happier than the average person.

Vegans report 7% higher happiness ratings than meat-eaters.

Interestingly, we found that happier individuals consider themselves more likely to turn vegan in the future. Out of the 8,988 meat-eaters in our survey, we found that those who reported higher happiness ratings were more likely to adopt a 100% plant-based diet in the future.

The chart below shows the likelihood to go vegan on a scale from 1 to 5, averaged for each happiness rating. For example, people who reported their happiness with a 7 scored an average likelihood of going vegan of 2.03.

happiness ratings vs likelihood vegan

This could explain why vegans consider themselves to be happier than non-vegans. Perhaps, happier people are in a better state of mind before considering going 100% vegan. Someone that is already unhappy might be less tempted to give up the consumption of animal products.

Happier people are more likely to turn vegan in the future.

But not only are happier people more likely to turn vegan, vegans are also more likely to stay happy based on the 11,537 answers in our survey.

How negative is the stigma of vegans today?

As stated in the intro, there are numerous negative vegan stereotypes floating around.

Our survey shows that vegans report higher happiness ratings than others. But what about the negative stigma of vegans? Do people think as negatively about vegans as some of these stereotypes have you believe?

We asked our (meat-eating) respondents the following question:

  • What’s your opinion on vegans (or veganism)?

We analyzed the answers and found some interesting statistics.

Less than 15% of people has a negative opinion of vegans and veganism in general.

In fact, the average meat-eater in our survey thinks positively about vegans (3.44 on a scale from 1 to 5).

sentiment for vegans all respondents

This is far better than what’s commonly believed.

In fact, a well-known and often quoted study from 2015 reported contradicting prejudices. The study – aptly named ‘It ain’t easy eating greens’ – found that only drug addicts face more hatred and prejudices than vegans. The study was performed using a similar survey technique but included only 278 respondents in total.

One particular paragraph of the study said:

Strikingly, only drug addicts were evaluated more negatively than vegetarians and vegans.

It ain’t easy eating greens: Evidence of bias toward vegetarians and vegans from both source and target

This study was brought to worldwide attention and was covered by numerous publications. For example, the BBC opened their coverage on the study as follows:

People love to moan that vegans are annoying: research has shown that only drug addicts inspire the same degree of loathing. 

The hidden biases that drive anti-vegan hatred

This implies that out of all groups of people, only drug addicts are ‘loathed more’ than vegans. However, the study only looked at a limited number of groups, and the differences are nowhere near as big as they’re made out to believe:

it aint easy eating greens study vegan attitude thermometers 2

The authors of this 2015 study didn’t include a chart of the data in their release. We created this chart ourselves based on the study’s data, which reveals why the authors might have chosen to leave it out of the study’s release.

Yes, it’s true that vegans are ranked second to last in this study. But the introduction of the BBC article states that “only drug addicts inspire the same degree of loathing“, which is simply not true. Furthermore, the authors of the study went on to say “Strikingly, only drug addicts were evaluated more negatively than vegetarians and vegans“. In our opinion, this is highly sensational as the difference between vegans and drug addicts is far bigger than any other difference in attitudes. Not only does this statement misrepresent the actual data, but the study also considers only 8 groups of people. Additionally, the sample size of 278 is relatively small.

We found that the negative bias towards vegans is far less significant than what the negative stereotypes imply.

What experts say…

Carleigh Bodrug portrait

Carleigh Bodrug – Founder of Plant You – 496,000 followers @plantyou

The perception of vegans has definitely shifted to a more positive light in the last five years, in my experience. I personally believe this is because of education on the impact animal agriculture has on our precious earth, being one of the leading sources of greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. This, coupled with the introduction of more delicious plant-based products on the market, has made people more open to a discussion about reducing their animal product consumption.

What experts say…

lindsay nixon portrait

Lindsay Nixon – CEO of Happy Herbivore

After I went vegan, friends commented I seemed happier and more centered. Between the healthy plant food I was eating and the harmony between my heart and lifestyle, it’s no surprise I was happier and joyous. 

How likely are meat-eaters to adopt a 100% plant-based diet in the future?

The 8,988 meat-eaters in our survey were asked the following question:

  • How likely are you to ever adopt a vegan (100% plant-based) diet?

Respondents answered this question on a scale from 1 to 5, respectively labeled “Very unlikely” and “Very likely”.

Only 16% of meat-eaters consider themselves likely to ever adopt a 100% plant-based diet.

The average meat-eater in our survey considered the likelihood of adopting a vegan diet to be 2.05 on a scale from 1 to 5.

likehood vegan all respondents

Interestingly, we observed a number of differences between our survey respondents.

For example, we found that the likelihood of ever adopting a plant-based diet is inversely correlated with a person’s age.

age vs likelihood vegan

The average likelihood of adopting a plant-based diet per age group:

  • 60+ years (n=655): 1.76
  • 46-60 years (n=1,457): 1.87
  • 31-45years (n=3,960): 2.11
  • 16-30 years (n=2,898): 2.14

Older people are significantly less likely to ever adopt a 100% plant-based diet.

In addition, we found that when people are already reducing their consumption of animal products, they are 220% more likely to adopt a 100% plant-based diet in the future.

likelihood vegan vs diet answer

Comparing a vegan’s motives to their self-reported happiness levels

Whenever a respondent claimed to be 100% vegan or vegetarian, we asked a follow-up question:

  • What’s the biggest reason for your dietary choices?

This resulted in the following answers:

reason for diet all respondents 2

The biggest motives for the respondents’ dietary choices were:

  • The impact on the environment: n=810
  • Personal preference: n=729
  • Animal cruelty: n=591
  • Intolerance for meat/dairy products: n=337

32% of the surveyed vegans and vegetarians state that the environment is their biggest motive.

We then compared the different motives to the average self-reported happiness ratings of our respondents:

reason for diet vs happiness ratings

Based on our results, we found that:

People that choose to be vegan/vegetarian to counter animal cruelty are the least happy when compared to other motives.

People that choose to be vegan mainly to help reduce their impact on the environment are the happiest. These people report an average happiness rating of 7.72.

People that are vegan in order to counter animal cruelty are the least happy, with an average happiness rating of 6.77. This specific group of people even reported slightly lower happiness ratings than meat-eaters (-0.03).

Is the world becoming more accepting of veganism?

Our study reveals that vegans are not as loathed as some studies have you believe. But is the world actually becoming more accepting of veganism?

According to the data of Google Trends, search interest in veganism has been somewhat plateauing for the last 4 years in the United States.

google trends vegan united states

It’s hard to answer this question based on the popularity of the word “Vegan” as a search term in Google.

However, given our study results, it can be said that the world is slowly becoming more accepting of veganism. We say that because the age of our survey respondents was inversely correlated with their likelihood to go vegan in the future. In other words, young people consider themselves more likely to adopt a plant-based diet in the future.

Based on these results, it can be assumed that the world will become more vegan as people slowly age and make room for new generations. According to our 11,537 respondents, these new generations will be more likely to accept veganism.

With that said, there is data that suggests otherwise. Some studies indicate that meat consumption in the United States is currently at an all-time high.

Based on data compiled by Our World In Data, the production of meat has been rising consistently without any visible sign of stopping.

The importance of reducing the consumption of animal products

In today’s world, consuming information is becoming easier and easier, as most news articles, Wikipedia pages and documentaries are just 3 clicks away. In recent years, a number of popular Netflix documentaries have raised awareness of the importance of reducing our consumption of animal products. This availability of information is believed to be a large driver for the increased popularity of veganism.

For example, ‘David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet’ has raised awareness for the fragile nature of the world’s ecosystems. It shows how the world cannot be sustainable if its >7 billion inhabitants continue to consume animal products.

“We live our comfortable lives in the shadow of a disaster of our own making. That disaster is being brought about by the very things that allow us to live our comfortable lives.”

David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet

This documentary efficiently shows the environmental impact that consuming animal products has on the environment.

However, consuming animal products also has an enormous impact on the well-being of the animals themselves. The documentary “Earthlings” (2008) shows the impact that humans have on animals in a controversial way. Many describe the documentary as a horror film, and people often credit it for turning them vegan.

“If slaughterhouses had glass walls, we would all be vegetarians.”

Joaquim Phoenix – Narrator of ‘Earthlings‘ (2008)

Finally, adopting a plant-based diet comes with many health benefits as well. A recently published review by Healthline provides science-based health benefits of eating vegan, amongst which:

  • Veganism is linked to a lower risk of heart disease
  • A vegan diet may protect against certain cancers
  • Veganism appears to lower blood sugar levels and improve kidney function
  • A vegan diet can reduce pain from arthritis

In the end, it’s clear that adopting to a plant-based diet is beneficial for the environment, animal wellfare and your health.

Commentary from the team:

hugo huyer tracking happiness

Hugo Huijer, Founder of Tracking Happiness

Why do we care about this topic at Tracking Happiness? Because we believe that happiness and sustainability go hand in hand. Sustainable behavior is linked to increased mental health, which is why it’s so important to talk about the consumption of animal products. Even though the positive environmental effect of veganism cannot be disputed, there is still a negative stigma surrounding people who claim to be vegan.

One of our readers even emailed us recently that he feels such a nuisance whenever he has to notify someone else of his vegan diet.

We landed on this study subject when we found that data on vegan stigmas and happiness is either lacking or outdated. And since it’s clear that people generally only change their opinions when faced with new data and facts, we want to provide a meaningful source of information that could stimulate this change. We sincerely hope that our findings help people make informed decisions regarding sustainability, happiness and the consumption of animal products.

Methodology

If you’re curious to learn more about our methodology, here’s a link to our study appendix that explains it all (opens in a new window):

Eat Green Be Happy Evidence Of The Connection Between Veganism And Happiness AppendixDownload

Fair use and redistribution

Tracking Happiness grants you permission to reuse, host, or repost the graphics and images from this article. When doing so, we ask that you kindly attribute the authors by linking to Tracking Happiness or this page.

Closing words

We hope you find this study interesting and useful, especially since veganism is a topic that is very polarizing. No matter if you are currently a vegan or a meat-eater, we hope that this study can positively contribute to any future discussions you may have.

What’s your main takeaway from today’s study? Or maybe you have a question about something from the analysis. Either way, leave a comment below to let us know.

The post Eat Green, Be Happy: New Study Finds Vegans Are Happier appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

]]> https://www.trackinghappiness.com/vegan-happiness-prejudices-study/feed/ 3 The Meaning Of Happiness: Word Association Study Shows How People Describe Happiness https://www.trackinghappiness.com/word-association-study/ https://www.trackinghappiness.com/word-association-study/#respond Tue, 20 Apr 2021 13:39:51 +0000 https://www.trackinghappiness.com/?p=11616 If you were asked to describe what happiness means to you without actually using the word "happiness", what would you answer? We asked over a thousand people this question and recorded the answers. As a result, we found a number of striking contrasts between different demographic groups.

The post The Meaning Of Happiness: Word Association Study Shows How People Describe Happiness appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

]]>

If you were asked to describe what happiness means to you without actually using the word “happiness”, what would you answer? We asked this question to over a thousand people and recorded the answers. As a result, we found a number of striking contrasts between different demographic groups.

Our results include:

  • “Love” is most associated with the word “Happiness”, according to our 1,155 respondents.
  • Happy people are 55% more likely to associate the words “Happiness” and “Family” with each other than unhappy people.
  • Men are 250% more likely to associate sex with happiness than women are.
  • Married people are 19% more likely to associate “Love” with “Happiness” than unmarried people.
  • >30-year-old people are 24% less likely to associate the words “Sex” and “Happiness” with each other.
  • By having kids, we’re 25% less likely to associate “Freedom and independence” with “Happiness”.

This study provides clear differences in how people define happiness, which is something that hasn’t been done before.

This article covers the data that was collected and explores the many word associations between different demographic groups. What words do people associate most with happiness?

It’s time to share what we discovered.

What does happiness mean? This is one of those questions that always get a different answer, no matter how many people you ask. We surveyed over a thousand people and tried to find as many answers as possible.

We wanted to know how people would describe happiness without being able to actually use the word “Happiness”.

What words do you associate most with happiness?

We asked 1,155 respondents the following question:

Of the following words, which 5 words do you associate most with “happiness”?

Each respondent had to pick 5 words that they felt most associated with the word happiness:

  • Laughter/Cheer
  • Joy
  • Pleasure
  • Satisfaction
  • Contentment
  • Safety/Security
  • Purpose in life
  • Love
  • Relationships
  • Family
  • Wealth
  • Freedom/Independence
  • Health/Well-being
  • Sex
  • Enlightenment
  • Other

The words appeared in random order. In total, this resulted in 5.775 answers.

This chart shows how often each word was associated with the word happiness.

word association happiness study overall

Love, family, joy, health & well-being and satisfaction are most often associated with happiness.

Our study shows that the word “Love” is most associated with the word “Happiness”.

But how does this data correlate to different demographic characteristics? To find out, we asked each respondent a number of additional questions, ranging from overall happiness rating to marital status. How did these demographics affect order of most associated words to happiness?

Happy people versus unhappy people

We asked the respondents the following question about their happiness:

If you look back at the last year of your life, how would you rate your happiness on a scale from 1 to 10?

We then grouped all respondents based on their answers.

happiness ratings general results tracking happiness survey study 2020

The average happiness rating from all respondents was 7.19.

We then divided the respondents in 3 roughly equally-sized groups:

  • Relatively unhappy people (happiness 6 or lower): n=364
  • People with average happiness (happiness of 7 or 8): n=441
  • Relatively happy people (happiness higher than 8): n=350

By comparing the 350 happiest people to the 364 unhappiest people in our survey, we found a number of interesting and significant differences.

Happy people associate “Sex” with “Happiness” more often

Out of the 173 respondents that placed sex in their top 5 words associated with happiness, 61 were part of the relatively happy group. In comparison, only 40 of the people that are relatively unhappy placed sex in their top 5 words.

When looking at the data compared to the number of respondents of each group, the following observation can be made:

  • Of all happy respondents, 17.4% used the word “Sex” as a word to associate with “Happiness”.
  • Of all unhappy respondents, 11.0% used the word “Sex” as a word to associate with “Happiness”.

Happy people are 59% more likely to associate “Sex” with “Happiness” than unhappy people.

This is visualized in the chart below, where happy respondents showed a likelihood 59% times bigger than those that are unhappy.

word association happiness study happiness vs sex

It has been proven by many other studies that sex is correlated to happiness.

It’s interesting to see that this correlation aligns with our word association study.

Happy people more likely to associate “Family” with “Happiness”

We found another interesting difference between the unhappy and happy group of respondents.

Of all happy respondents, 61.7% used the word “Family” as a word to associate with “Happiness”. On the other hand, only 39.8% of the unhappy respondents made the association between the words “Family” and “Happiness”.

Happy people are 55% more likely to associate the words “Happiness” and “Family” with each other.

This difference is visualized in the chart below.

word association happiness study happiness vs family

This is another interesting result. A good family-life can provide a lot of happiness in our lives, in addition to support, laughter, safety and love. It’s clear that happier people are more likely to acknowledge the importance of family.

While this doesn’t provide any information as to how family and happiness are related, there are many other studies that have proven how happiness and family are correlated.

Happy people associate “Wealth” with “Happiness” more frequently

An often studied field in mental health is the influence that money has on happiness. We found that happiness was associated with wealth more by the group of happy people.

32.0% of the happy respondents used the word “Wealth” as a word to associate with “Happiness”. On the other hand, only 18.1% of the unhappy respondents made the association between the words “Wealth” and “Happiness”.

Happy people are 76% more likely to associate “Wealth” with “Happiness”.

This difference is visualized in the chart below.

word association happiness study happiness vs wealth

A lot of studies have proven that money does indeed “buy happiness”, including this recent one. This is in line with our findings, as people that are happy are more likely to experience the positive benefits of being wealthy.

Men versus women

The difference between men and women has been studied for centuries, resulting in objective differences in the way men and women experience emotions, hormonal changes and expressivity.

Out of our 1,155 respondents, 665 were male, and 482 were female.

gender general results tracking happiness survey study 2020

Top 5 most associated words with happiness same for men and women

We were surprised to see little differences between men and women when it comes to associating different words to “Happiness”.

For both men and women, the 5 most associated words with “Happiness” remain the same.

However, one outlier was the word “Sex”.

Happiness and sex and the difference between men and women

In total, the word sex was associated with the word happiness 173 times. This means that 173 out of our 1,155 respondents (15%) placed sex in their top 5 words that are most associated with the word happiness.

Out of the 173 respondents that placed sex in their top 5 words associated with happiness, 134 were male. In comparison, only 38 females placed sex in their top 5 words.

Men are 250% more likely to associate sex with happiness than women are, according to our study.

This is visualized in the chart below.

associate sex with happiness gender

A study suggested by Psychology Today noted women are less likely to orgasm during sex, which could explain the rift between both genders. That survey queried 24,000 college-aged women and revealed that 40% of them climax during sex while 80% of their male counterparts did. This could explain the large difference between men and women when it comes to associating happiness with sex.

The impact of aging

We asked our respondents their approximate age.

age1 general results tracking happiness survey study 2020

Since the majority of our respondents was aged between 16-30 years old, we divided the respondents into two groups:

  • People of 30 years or younger: n=693
  • People older than 30 years: n=457

By comparing these groups with eacher other, we were able to make some interesting observations again.

People above 30 associate “Sex” less with “Happiness”

Of the respondents that were younger than 30 years, 16.6% associated the words “Sex” and “Happiness” with each other. On the other hand, only 12.7% of the respondents above 30 years old made the same word association.

>30-year-old people are 24% less likely to associate the words “Sex” and “Happiness” with each other.

This difference is visualized in the chart below.

word association happiness study age vs sex

This difference is likely explained by the human libido, and how it changes as we age.

People above 30 associate “Health” more with “Happiness”

We are all slowly dying. That is to say that our bodies are slowly but constantly deteriorating as we grow older. Therefore, we were expecting age to have some influence on the association between the words “Health” and “Happiness”.

Of the respondents that were older than 30 years, 48.4% associated the words “Health/Well-being” and “Happiness” with each other. On the other hand, only 35.2% of the respondents younger than 30 years old made the same word association.

>30-year-old people are 37% more likely to associate the words “Health” and “Happiness” with each other.

This difference is visualized in the chart below.

word association happiness study age vs health

This suggests that the impact of our health on our happiness grows as we get older. Typically, a person experiences more health issues at an older age. Therefore, it’s unsurprising to see a stronger association between health and happiness in the responses of older people.

Does marital status impact our definition of happiness?

Whenever a couple announces a recent proposal, there’s often someone that jokingly gives the couple condolences instead of the usual congratulations. This implies that a married life consists of restrictions and stress as opposed to sex, love and happiness.

We asked our respondents whether or not they were married, in order to find out how their definition of happiness changed after their marriage.

marital status general results tracking happiness survey study 2020

604 respondents were married at the time of the survey, whereas 544 were unmarried. Unsurprisingly, there were some striking differences between these two groups.

The positive effects of marriage on our happiness

As said before, marriage is often jokingly refered to as a surefire way to end your sexlife. While our study does not indicate whether or not married couples are less likely to have sex, it does show an interesting change.

Married respondents are more likely to associate “Love” and “Sex” with the word “Happiness”.

Of the 604 married respondents, 65.4% associated the words “Love” and “Happiness” with each other. Only 55.1% of the unmarried respondents made the same word association.

Married people are 19% more likely to associate “Love” with “Happiness” than unmarried people.

This difference is visualized in the chart below.

word association happiness study marital status vs love

The same difference was found between married and unmarried people when it comes to associating sex with happiness.

Of the 604 married respondents, 16.4% associated the words “Sex” and “Happiness” with each other. Only 13.6% of the unmarried respondents made the same word association.

Married people are 20% more likely to associate “Sex” with “Happiness” than unmarried people.

This difference is visualized in the chart below.

word association happiness study marital status vs sex

This implies that the importance of sex and love for happiness only increases as a person gets married. An interesting survey was performed by Cosmopolitan that sheds a little light on how marriage affects the sex lives of couples. One of the findings was that married couples tended to have sex less frequently.

Perhaps it’s about quality versus quantity. Our study indicates that married couple associate sex with happiness more often than unmarried couples. So even though married couples may spice things up less often, it’s only getting more important for their happiness.

Does marriage lead to less freedom?

What about the negative differences? What words did married people associate less with happiness?

The answer: “Freedom and independence” and “Purpose in life”.

Of the 604 married respondents, only 29.0% associated the words “Freedom and independence” and “Happiness” with each other. On the other hand, 37.3% of the unmarried respondents made the same word association.

Married people are 22% less likely to associate “Freedom and independence” with “Happiness” than unmarried people.

This difference is visualized in the chart below.

word association happiness study marital status vs freedom

What about “Purpose in life”?

Of the 604 married respondents, only 27.6% associated the words “Purpose in life” and “Happiness” with each other. On the other hand, 41.0% of the unmarried respondents made the same word association.

Married people are 33% less likely to associate “Purpose in life” with “Happiness” than unmarried people.

This difference is visualized in the chart below.

word association happiness study marital status vs purpose in life

This suggests that by getting married, a person is more likely to share his or her freedom. As a result, your lifepath is intertwined with that of your partner, which may reduce the importance of your own purpose in life.

What about having kids?

Having kids changes your life. It’s often said that having kids is like being on a rollercoaster ride, where highs are often followed by lows. We were excited to see how this would influence how people would describe happiness without being able to actually use the word “Happiness”.

children general results tracking happiness survey study 2020

We divided the respondents into 2 groups:

  • Parents: n=593
  • Non-parents: n=563

Interestingly, we found a clear difference in happiness ratings between parents and non-parents.

Our survey found that parents were 8% happier on average. The average happiness rating of a parent was 7.46, as opposed to an average rating of 6.90 for a non-parent.

How does being a parent impact the definition of happiness for the average respondent?

Happiness equals family for those who have kids

By becoming a parent, you create a family for yourself. This naturally results in a higher importance of family for your happiness. This is in line with the data from our survey.

Out of the 593 parents in our survey, 327 people (55.1%) associated the words “Family” and “Happiness” with each other. For the non-parents, this ratio dropped to 41.2%.

People with kids are 38% more likely to associate “Family” with “Happiness” than people without kids.

This difference is visualized in the chart below.

word association happiness study parents vs family

Do kids take away your freedom to do what you want?

Parents have the important responsibility of raising a kid. We expected this would result in some interesting changes in our word association data.

We found that having kids and getting married have a similar impact on our definition of happiness.

By having kids, our definition of happiness is less likely to include the words “Freedom and independence” and “Purpose in life”.

Of the 593 parents, only 27.8% associated the words “Freedom and independence” and “Happiness” with each other. On the other hand, 37.3% of the non-parents made the same word association.

By having kids, we’re 25% less likely to associate “Freedom and independence” with “Happiness”.

This difference is visualized in the chart below.

word association happiness study parents vs freedom

What about “Purpose in life”?

Out of the 593 parents in our survey, 157 people (26.5%) associated the words “Purpose in life” and “Happiness” with each other. For the non-parents, this ratio increased to 40.7%.

Parents are 35% less likely to associate “Purpose in life” with “Happiness” than non-parents.

This difference is visualized in the chart below.

word association happiness study parents vs purpose in life

Most people think of their children as making their lives more fulfilling, but what do existing studies say? This study looked at 1.8 million Americans and found no real significant difference in happiness between parents and non-parents. The study states that parents experience more daily joy and more daily stress than nonparents. In other words, the happiness of parents may be similar to that of non-parents, but it’s simply less stable.

Methodology

If you’re looking for more information on how the study was performed, this article provides an overall introduction to this study. It also includes links to other result articles that are relevant to this study.

Want to know more details? Like who was surveyed, what are the demographics of the respondents, and how the study was performed? Here is a link to a document that explains it all (opens in a new window):

Tracking Happiness Survey General OverviewDownload

Closing words

Men find sex to be more important for their happiness when compared to women. This is the result of a word-association study amongst 1,147 male and female respondents.

What did you think of these results? Let us know in the comments below!

The post The Meaning Of Happiness: Word Association Study Shows How People Describe Happiness appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

]]> https://www.trackinghappiness.com/word-association-study/feed/ 0 Comparing Happiness To The Stringency Of A Country’s COVID-19 Response (Data Study) https://www.trackinghappiness.com/world-happiness-covid-stringency-data-study/ https://www.trackinghappiness.com/world-happiness-covid-stringency-data-study/#respond Tue, 06 Apr 2021 08:37:49 +0000 https://www.trackinghappiness.com/?p=11319 How does the happiness of a country compare to its response to COVID-19? This data analysis is performed to shed light on how countries responded aroudn the world, and how it's potentially influenced our happiness.

The post Comparing Happiness To The Stringency Of A Country’s COVID-19 Response (Data Study) appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

]]> A couple of days ago, the World Happiness Report of 2020 was released. This report analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on the national happiness of countries. No significant change in happiness was found. The change from 2017-2019 to 2020 varied among countries, but not enough to change rankings in any significant fashion. The same countries remain at the top.

But how does happiness data compare to the varying lockdowns around the world? Does a country’s willingness to respond to COVID-19 correlate to a decrease in happiness? Countries have handled the pandemic in vastly different ways, and by analyzing this data, we’ve found a number of interesting observations. In the end, we want to answer the question:

How does a country’s happiness compare to its COVID-19 response?

Our observations:

  • The 4 happiest countries in the world are less stringent than 88% of countries worldwide.
  • The Netherlands, New Zealand and Austria are the only countries that score positively on relative stringency and are in the top 10 happiest countries.
  • The world’s happiest country – Finland – is ranked 124th on the relative stringency scale, out of 138 countries.
  • A lenient COVID-19 response may actually have a positive effect on a country’s happiness, which is supported by more studies.
  • The top 10 happiest countries are less stringent than 75% of the world.

This study contains interactive charts with data so that you can see how each country in the world compares to the average.

Happiest countries in 2020

Every year, Gallup surveys at least 1,000 people in each country, with the following question:

Please imagine a ladder with steps numbered from zero at the bottom to 10 at the top. The top of the ladder represents the best possible life for you and the bottom of the ladder represents the worst possible life for you. On which step of the ladder would you say you personally feel you stand at this time?

The average of these questions is used as a country’s happiness score. The below map visualizes each country’s score of 2020.

Stringency index per country

Every country’s lockdown is different. Some countries are relatively pro-active and do everything in their power to stop the virus from spreading, like New Zealand. On the other hand, some countries are more lenient and accept the spread of the virus but try to do so in a controlled way.

While each country takes its own actions, there’s a team at Oxford university that considers all these actions and turns them into a composite metric: the Stringency Index. This number is updated every day, for every country around the world.

Simply explained, if a country has no COVID-19 response whatsoever, the stringency index will be 0. In this case, the government has done nothing to stop the virus from spreading.

If that country then decides to change course and takes every possible precaution, the stringency index will increase to 100.

For example, Argentina scored the maximum stringency points from March 23, 2020 to April 25, 2020. During this time, the country was in full lockdown.

Other countries whose stringency has scored the maximum points are Georgia, Honduras, India and El Salvador (there are more).

This interactive chart shows the daily stringency index per selected country.

(Click on this link if the chart does not function properly – opens in new tab)

Stringency index: how it works

More than 100 volunteer academics and students collate publicly-available information on government response measures, across nine policy areas. These are assigned stringency ratings which are then used to derive a composite score between 0 and 100.

The Oxford team is not currently collecting any sub-national data, meaning that the index does not perfectly capture local measures in large or federal countries. This explains why Italy never scored the maximum 100, even though their entire northern province entered a severe lockdown during the first outbreak.

A measure only in force in one or two regions contributes less to the stringency index than a nationwide policy.

Adding COVID-19 to the stringency data

Comparing national happiness levels to the stringency of a country is not revealing without comparing the stringency to the severity of the pandemic. After all, the response measures taken by countries are strongly correlated to the spread of the virus.

Most countries around the world use the number of reported new COVID-19 cases as a measure to determine a proper response. Therefore, we’ve included data from the John Hopkins University and added it to the stringency data.

This interactive chart shows the daily stringency scores of a selected country, in addition to the 7-day average number of positive COVID-19 cases.

(Click on this link if the chart does not function properly – opens in new tab)

This shows how a country reacts to the spread of the virus. Some countries are quick to adapt their rules, while others are “less willing” to respond quickly.

We use a rolling 7-day average because some countries do not report COVID-19 numbers seven days a week. For example, Sweden only reports the data from Tuesdays to Fridays. Any COVID-19 data from Saturday to Monday is logged on Tuesday, which skews the daily number of cases. A rolling 7-day average smoothens these inconsistencies.

Comparing stringency and COVID-19 data

The stringency of a country can be plotted against the COVID-19 cases in a scatter to show how the two compare. This shows a strong correlation between the ongoing spread of the virus and the response of a country.

The number of COVID-19 cases is first calculated on a per-capita basis. The population of the United States (~330 million) is roughly an order of magnitude larger than Canada’s (~40 million), which is roughly an order of magnitude larger than New Zealand’s (~5 million). In order to compare the virus spread between countries, we calculate the 7-day average number of positive COVID-19 cases per 1,000 people.

This interactive chart shows the comparison between the two sets of data. Please note that the number of cases per 1,000 people is charted on a logarithmic scale.

(Click on this link if the chart does not function properly – opens in new tab)

This type of chart reveals a lot about how a country responds.

For example, New Zealand’s stringency index reached a score of 96 before exceeding an average of 0.01 new COVID-19 cases per 1,000 people. On the other hand, Belarus tested an average of 0.2 COVID-19 cases per 1,000 people while only increasing its stringency score to a relatively low 28.

Worldwide average stringency

We set out to find how stringent each country is compared to the worldwide average.

The relation between stringency and the number of COVID-19 cases per 1,000 people is logarithmic in nature. Therefore, the worldwide average stringency can be modeled as a logarithmic function of the virus spread.

The resulting formula (based on the time-series available at the time of publishing) is shown below, where Y equals the modeled average stringency index and X equals the 7-day average number of new COVID-19 cases. 

Y = 2.5178*LN(X) + 71.871

This worldwide average stringency index is used to determine whether a country is stringent or lenient.

The interactive graph below shows the modeled average stringency index in addition to each country’s actual data.

(Click on this link if the chart does not function properly – opens in new tab)

This shows how the United States was relatively slow to react to the rising number of COVID-19 cases. Filter the chart for Libya and you’ll see an example of a more stringent response.

Some studies have already ranked countries depending on how stringent or lenient they are. However, these studies have not considered the number of positive cases per day. Without comparing a country’s stringency to the worldwide average for a given number of positive cases, the stringency data alone does not provide the full story.

Ultimately, we’re interested in a country’s total score. To find out, we calculated the daily difference between the actual stringency index and the modeled worldwide average. Finally, we determined a weighted average value based on the 7-day average number of new COVID-19 cases.

We use a weighted average because proper response measurements become increasingly more important as the virus spreads. The response of a country has significantly more implications when that country is seeing 10,000 new cases every day as opposed to 100 new cases every day. In other words, when the going gets tough, the stringency matters more.

This map visualizes all countries, showing the weighted average difference between a country’s stringency compared to the worldwide average.

Top 10 least stringent countries

The top 10 least stringent countries according to our method are:

  1. Belarus
  2. Nicaragua
  3. Burundi
  4. Burkina Faso
  5. Croatia
  6. Taiwan
  7. Estonia
  8. Bosnia and Herzegovina
  9. Niger
  10. Zambia

While these countries score poorly on the stringency index compared to other countries, it must be said that these countries haven’t been hit as hard as some others. For example, the maximum number of positive cases (7-day average) per 1,000 people in Nicaragua is only 0.02.

Countries that have been hit much harder and have scored below average on our relative stringency metric are:

Country Average Difference From Worldwide Stringency Maximum number of positive cases (7-day average) per 1,000 people
Bulgaria -18.44 0.57
Switzerland -13.54 1.24
Serbia -12.38 1.23
France -3.33 0.98
Russia -13.75 0.22
Ukraine -7.77 0.37

The bar chart below shows all countries ranked from top to bottom.

It must be stated that these numbers are only approximations. Here are some factors that this analysis doesn’t take into account:

  • The limited testing capacity during the first wave of the pandemic resulted in a lower number of reported cases. Most countries were hit much harder than the data shows during the first wave.
  • Countries use different metrics to determine a response strategy for COVID-19. For example, some countries use the availability of hospital beds rather than the number of reported cases as the main driver for decision making.
  • Countries use different guidelines to report COVID-19 data, regardless of the available testing capacity. For example, China has changed its definition of what constitutes a positive test case 8 times in the past already.
  • Speaking of China, this is also a good example of the implications of how stringency data is calculated on a national level. During the first wave, it’s well-known that the virus spread in the Wuhan province. This local area promptly went into lockdown. However, since the rest of the country remained mostly unaffected, the overall stringency index of China was lower.

How does this compare to national happiness levels?

This table shows the 10 happiest countries in the world, according to the 2020 World Happiness Report.

Country Happiness score Average Difference From Worldwide Stringency
Finland 7.842 -14.95
Denmark 7.620 -12.88
Switzerland 7.571 -13.54
Iceland 7.554 -19.18
Netherlands 7.464 0.64
Norway 7.392 -4.84
Sweden 7.363 -3.46
Luxembourg 7.324 -9.60
New Zealand 7.277 12.84
Austria 7.268 4.44

The 10 happiest countries in the world are less stringent compared to the rest of the world. The average relative stringency of the 10 happiest countries is -6.05.

The Netherlands, New Zealand and Austria are the only countries that score positively on relative stringency and are in the top 10 happiest countries.

This suggests that a country’s happiness is higher when the COVID-19 response measurements are less stringent.

Additionally, the 4 happiest countries in the world are less stringent than 88% of countries worldwide. Out of the 141 countries included in our stringency analysis:

  • Finland is ranked 124th
  • Denmark is ranked 117th
  • Switzerland is ranked 121th
  • Iceland is ranked 129th

The top 10 happiest countries are less stringent than 75% of the world.

As part of the World Happiness Report 2020, the authors focused on the difference between 2020 and pre-pandemic years. The authors of the report noted that COVID-19 didn’t have a significant impact on a country’s happiness rating.

No significant change in happiness was found. The change from 2017-2019 to 2020 varied among countries, but not enough to change rankings in any significant fashion materially. The same countries remain at the top.

World Happiness Report 2020

However, the change between 2017-2019 happiness scores and those of 2020 is slightly correlated to a country’s relative stringency score according to our analysis.

This observation is supported by another data study published by the Global Labor Organization (GLO). The authors of this study found that the more stringent the stay-at-home regulations are in a country, the greater the negative effect on that country’s happiness levels.

This study uses the Gross National Happiness Index (GNH), which is a real-time measure of well-being (happiness) derived from Twitter. It strongly implies that a higher stringency is directly related to reduced happiness levels.

A lenient COVID-19 response may actually have a positive effect on a country’s happiness.

What’s the exact impact of COVID-19 on happiness?

Above all, it’s clear that determining the impact that COVID-19 has on well-being levels is not straightforward. In fact, it’s very complex and finding a causal relationship is practically impossible. A lot of studies around the world have found interesting correlations using different methods:

singapore covid happiness study
From The Impact of COVID-19 on Subjective
Well-Being: Evidence from Singapore

These are just some examples, but they highlight how broad the spectrum of results can be.

While a lot of studies determine that lockdowns have a negative effect on our emotions, others find that lockdowns resulted in (indirect) improvements in mental health. An often-quoted example is that more people picked up outdoor walking as a hobby. For example, the United States experienced a 30% to 50% increase in traffic to state parks, which was arguably caused by the increase of people looking for outdoor walking areas. In turn, this healthy habit has indirectly had a positive effect on our mental well-being.

In the end, it seems to depend on too many factors to give a conclusive answer.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic has a staggering impact on the way we lead our lives. By combining the recent World Happiness Report data with the Oxford University’s Stringency Index, we’ve analyzed how the response of a country compares to the happiness levels of its citizens.

There is no strong correlation between stringency and happiness. And even though it’s impossible to find a causal relationship between a country’s stringency and happiness, it’s revealing to see the data on how some countries have fared during the pandemic. The data reveals a lot about how countries like New Zealand, Finland, Belarus and the United States have responded to the virus.

The post Comparing Happiness To The Stringency Of A Country’s COVID-19 Response (Data Study) appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

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