Is it as simple as yes or no? Are people born happy? What factors determine your happiness? Well according to Oprah (yes, my child was home sick and we were watching Oprah) and some recent studies there are some key factors that can determine your happiness. So....
Are people born happy? - According to a University of California, Berkeley study- 50% of your happiness is genetic, 40% is learned and 10% is circumstances. So, if you weren't born happy then you are SOL, just kidding, you can obviously teach yourself to be happy by surrounding yourself with happy people, experiences and circumstances and not giving into the negative thoughts and feelings that get inside your head.
Do you make time in your day for COMPLETE silence? - A Harvard study has shown that spending just 10 minutes a day sitting in silence and breathing can increase your level of happiness. 10 minutes may seem like an eternity when you have a "to do" list a mile long and life is happening all around, but start with just 1 minute and you may be well on your way to a happier you!
How often do you have...SEX?? - I know this may come as a shock, but the more you have the happier you will be! :)
Does having children make you happier? - well...that depends, is your child crying, fighting, laughing or behaving?? Studies have shown that having children is stressful, duh, but a parent's happiness increases when the child turns 18 and continues to rise as the child gets older.
I can only speak for myself, but as a woman who went through 7 years of undiagnosed infertility and In-vitro Fertilization to have my beautiful twin daughters, I will say they make me happy EVERYDAY of my life, not EVERY moment, but overall they are my greatest joy in life!!
How well do you know your neighbors? - According to a Harvard study, the more neighbors you know, the happier and safer you will feel, and if your neighbor is happy, it increases your happiness by 34%. So, go bake some cookies or grab a bottle of wine and go say howdy to your neighbor!
Watch less TV - the less you watch the happier you will be! That's why they make DVR's so you can watch the stuff you want, and not the stuff you don't want like commercials, Dora the Explorer, The Wonder Pets, CSI: Miami, New York, Lizard Lick, Kalamzoo, etc. ok, that is just my opinion, but you get what I'm saying. And for ULTIMATE happiness watch only btw 1/2 hour and 1 hour a day!!
How many close friends do you have? - this seems pretty self explanatory, the more close friends you have the happier you are. I'm guessing the Unibomber didn't have many close friends, just sayin'.
Happiest jobs in America? - factory worker, cow de-wormer, ditch digger, ok, ok, maybe not. According to a University of Chicago study the happiest jobs are: clergy, special education teacher, firefighter and travel agent, and I'm going to add REALTOR, because in the 7 years I have been in this business I have had the pleasure of meeting and becoming friends with some of the most wonderful and diverse group of people.
If you had more money would you be happier? - According to a Princeton University study, happiness is earning $75,000 a year for a family of four. Following that up with the happiness you get from spending money on a life experience vs. a material item lasts considerably longer. Speaking from personal experience, my fondest memories are trips spent with family and friends, and the memories from those moments bring me happiness on a daily basis.
"Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it." - Groucho Marx
To take the quiz yourself and learn more about becoming happier, go to http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Poll-Are-You-Happy
