In the past the hunt for happiness has been reserved philosophers, priests, theologians, therapists, assorted breweries/chemists and lifestyle gurus but now scientists have joined this exquisite list too.

Scientists have mapped out the 10 things they consider the most important when striving to achieve "happiness". The ten factors are graded on a scale ranging from one to five depending on their overall importance.

(The notes written in parentheses are NOT scientific fact but merely my own meandering observations and therefore of no use at all to anyone but me.)

1. Good Genes 5 out of 5

-Make sure you are born into a "happy" family. Happiness is apparently genetic too (as are some depressions).

2. Marriage 3 out of 5

-Get married - marriage gives more happiness as compared to living together (the security?).

3. Friends & Family 2½ out of 5

-Make friends and tie close family ties - a group of homeless / prostitutes living in a shantytown in India had many friends and were JUST as "happy" as the control group consisting of students from the privileged middle class.

4. A sense of reality 2 out of 5

-Make your "wishful thinking" list shorter and make your goals realistic (now how much fun is that?!).

5. Faith and Religion 1½ out of 5

-Find a God or a faith to find reason in madness. (Religion gives life meaning / purpose and reassurance that you are not alone and that death is the final grim end).

6. Unselfish Deeds 1½ out of 5

-Do good unto others and forget your self for a while in favor of a larger cause.

7. Looks 1 out of 5

-Stop worrying about your looks and believe that you are beautiful.

8. Wealth ½ out of 5

- drop the pursuit of material wealth - having money does not automatically bring happiness ( but so nor does having no money at all sound like much fun - money is not everything - except when you don't have any - then they are !).

9. Age ½ out of5

- Do not fear old age - the elderly are just as happy as the young.

10. Intelligence 0 out of5

- Be satisfied with your intelligence - it has no impact on your state of happiness.

-------

Wishing you ALL good mental / physical / financial Happiness

C.

These are really interesting thoughts (even if I dont know necessarily agree with them). Where did you get them from?

I understand all the values as you describe them but some are rather depressing. For instance I understand that if you are stupid and ignorant about the world it might make you happier but if you question things you cant simply stop. Not thinking when you have doubts is clearly the road to unhappiness.

Oh and I cant argue with the good genes theory. If you are born with money, intelligence and a happy family it is difficult to go wrong (although some do) if you are born with little, it is difficult to make much progress (although some do).

Someone told me..."Happiness is a state of mind and is a direct result of the choices we make...(regardless of the points mentioned above)......choose to be happy, choose to do things that will make you happy, its all up to you!"

Robbie36

I found the article that led to this post in a Danish science magazine (Illustreret Videnskab). Ive tried a Google search on the title of the journal (Journal of Happiness Studies) for a free copy, but to no avail.

(to buy the book, go to http://www.springeronline.com/sgw/cda/frontpage/0,11855,5-40109-70-35677942-0,00.html )

I'm not sure if I understand all the things you wrote in your reply, so i might be getting this all wrong. Anyway, here are my 2 cent..

" Not thinking when you have doubts is clearly the road to unhappiness ."

If I get this right, you are saying that as long as you are thinking you should be happy?

I disagree. They say ignorance is bliss, and I must somewhat agree on that. Thinking often leads to nothing but headaches, but of cause "not thinking", is just ignoring the facts, which does not solve the problem either... a catch 22 so to speak..

Anyway, "intelligence" has (according to the Journal) little or no impact on the "level" of "overall" happiness.

And yes, I agree with the "good genes" theory too..

Coffeebrake:

If only achieving happiness was as easy at this. I agree that we should all strive to do things that make us "happy" (whatever frosts your cookies!). But if it was that simple I think I would see more smiling happy faces on the news. ALL is NOT up to you - we can BUT try - but in the end, some things are beyond our reach / influence..

If you ask me I would (on a personal note) tell you that 3 . (Friends & Family) 5 . (Faith and Religion) and 6 . (Unselfish Deeds) are the ones that works for me.

Wishing you good Mental Health..

C.

(Its Sunday - my head hurts - and Im not making sense)

Cool