Scientific study from Harvard confirms a key to happiness is hanging with happy people

November 11, 8:21 PMNY Wellness ExaminerRoger Ziegler

Previous

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the NY Wellness Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

A recent scientific study concludes the secret to happiness is hanging out with other happy people.
public domain

A recent scientific study has concluded that the secret to heappiness is having happy friends and family can help you be happier.

Researchers from Harvard and UC - San Diego have concluded after a 20 year study that happiness is shared. If your friends are happy, you tend to be. And not only that, you spread that feeling to others.

(Stunned silence)

Most will say 'duh,' but it never hurts to have science confirm your own deeply held beliefs.

Happiness Loves Company

Surprisingly, according to this study at least, sadness did not spread as fast or as far. It seems happiness loves company, but if you're a miserable prick, you're alone.

Maybe miserable people can have the same impact, in a negative way, if you hang out with them long enough. But we probably want to hang out with happy people longer, thus the effect is stronger.

So be happy. If you can't be happy, fake it until you can. Seriously.  

Think about all you already have. Also, think about what would happen if you dropped dead in the next 5 minutes. Would you make the most of those minutes or waste them with worry? I'd probably waste a good minute or two filled with self-loathing and regret about how I wasted my life, but then I'd like to think I'd perk right up.