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Mental Health
What we have learnt from the pandemic
Proven things to do to make yourself happier
Scientific studies have shown that you can boost your happiness, with strategies such as staying physically active, expressing gratitude, and valuing your relationships.
The desire for happiness is universal, and over the past decade psychologists, social researchers and even economists have sought to measure and understand this often-elusive emotion.
The World Happiness Report, using data from 150 countries and the Gallup World Poll, shows Australians are a remarkably happy bunch, ranking in the top 12 countries in the world, based in part on freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy and social support.
If you want to know the happiest place on earth, it’s Finland, which scientists and academics attribute to the country’s strong welfare system and social cohesiveness.
On an individual level, a longitudinal Harvard study in America has found that close relationships - more than money, fame or social class - are what keep people happy throughout their lives.
Research also shows that another way to stay happy is to connect with other like-minded people through a club or organisation, such as a community group, sports club or lifestyle club.
What we have learnt from the pandemic
Professor Brendan Kelly, author of The Science of Happiness, says the COVID pandemic and more than two years of restrictions have taken their toll on people’s happiness, but the fundamentals of wellbeing haven’t changed.
“COVID has changed many things, but it has brought out the importance of relationships, the value of work and the benefits of physical activity for mental wellbeing,” he says.
“Take work for example. Many people first discovered they could work from home, but then realised the reason they went into work was not the work itself, but to chat around the water cooler, connect with colleagues and hold meetings where they could make eye contact and communicate with each other in subtle ways.”
Money doesn’t necessarily buy happiness
You need enough money to meet your basic needs but striving to earn more and more money will eventually have diminishing returns. That’s because relationships, wellbeing and gratitude all play a role in happiness.
The challenges of genetics and ageing
Kelly, who is a Professor of Psychiatry at Trinty College Dublin, says there is a big genetic component to happiness.
“Research shows that up to 50 per cent of difference in happiness between people is attributable to genetic factors,” he says.
Then there are various stages of life, with the mid-40s being the unhappiest period, when work and financial pressures often reach their peak, along with the realisation that some dreams will never be fulfilled.
“But people do get happier as they get older, and the reason is that they don’t care so much about their careers, money and similar things – and, with that, happiness comes.”
Connecting with colleagues in face-to-face meetings is a way to boost your happiness. Photo: Getty
Six scientifically proven ways to find happiness
RACV Club helps you stay active and make connections, which can boost happiness. Photo: Lucas Allen
Our friendships and community contribute to our happiness and wellbeing. Photo: Getty
