Articles tagged with Happiness
A study led by UCL researchers found that having a hobby is linked to fewer depressive symptoms and higher levels of happiness, self-reported health, and life satisfaction among people aged 65 and over. The benefits of hobbies were relatively universal across 16 countries on three continents.
A new study led by Anglia Ruskin University found that positive body image is strongly associated with better psychological wellbeing and life satisfaction. The research involved 56,968 participants in 65 nations and discovered that body appreciation was higher in single individuals and those living in rural areas.
A recent study suggests that songs with high energy and positive emotions are more likely to match prevailing weather conditions, influencing listener preferences. The research found a strong association between energetic and positive music and warm and sunny weather, but only for popular songs.
A new study tracking 554 UK undergraduates from May 2020 to May 2021 found high levels of psychological distress and anxiety during the pandemic. Students reported significantly lower wellbeing, happiness, and life satisfaction compared to pre-pandemic levels.
A new study followed over 7,000 middle-aged and older Canadians for three years, finding that social participation was associated with successful aging. Those who engaged in volunteer work and recreational activities were more likely to maintain excellent health and less likely to develop physical or mental problems.
A study found that self-reported sleep quality is significantly associated with quality of life for individuals over time and when comparing between people. High-quality sleep improves quality of life regardless of sleep duration or timing.
A new study by researchers from Penn and Princeton reveals that, on average, larger incomes are associated with ever-increasing levels of happiness. However, an unhappy cohort within each income group shows a sharp rise in happiness up to $100,000 annually before plateauing.
A new study found that engaging in one quality conversation with a friend can significantly increase happiness and reduce stress levels. The study, led by University of Kansas professor Jeffrey Hall, explores the impact of daily communication on well-being and finds that even brief interactions can have a positive effect.
A new study found that teenagers who reported feeling optimistic, happy, and loved had better cardiometabolic health outcomes in adulthood. Despite this, racial disparities remained apparent, with Black teens facing increased health risks due to structural racism.
A study followed over 7,000 Canadians for three years to find that being female, physically active, and not obese were key to maintaining excellent health. Factors such as high income and social support also played a crucial role in optimal aging.
A new study found that people with a higher sense of purpose in life have a lower risk of death from any cause, regardless of race or gender. The association was strongest among women, who may benefit more from the health-protective effects of purpose.
Studies analyzed data from four longitudinal surveys to investigate how current feelings influence memories of past happiness. Results showed that people who reported higher current life satisfaction tend to overstate the improvement in their life satisfaction over time.
A new study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that mimicking facial expressions of actors or moving the corners of one's mouth to cheeks increases happiness. Researchers from Stanford University and UniSA tested three techniques, with two yielding noticeable results.
A new study from the University of Kansas found that people tend to have more memories associated with older songs and movie clips, which are often happier and more positive. The researchers discovered that these nostalgic experiences can lead to appreciation for lighthearted entertainment, such as pop music or superhero movies.
A new study by University of Essex researcher Constantina Maltezou-Papastylianou found that older adults are less accurate than younger adults in detecting emotions from speech. This decline is associated with natural changes in the brain as we age, affecting understanding and interpretation of emotional cues.
A recent study published in Aging-US found that feeling lonely, unhappy, or hopeless increases one's biological age more than smoking. The research used digital models of aging to analyze the effects of various factors on aging rates, revealing a significant correlation between mental health and accelerated aging.
A new study found that teenagers' exploration of their environment is associated with enhanced psychological well-being and larger social networks. Higher levels of exploration are also linked to increased risk-taking behaviors.
A UBC Okanagan study found that commercial weight management programs are more effective than DIY approaches in helping people lose weight. Participants who used a commercially available program lost over twice as much weight and had better success rates, including improved blood pressure and waist circumference.
Researchers found that givers underestimate the positive impact of their actions on recipients, while receivers focus on feelings of warmth. In experiments, random acts of kindness increased happiness and led to more generous behavior.
Researchers found that smells can enhance or hinder our ability to recognize emotions in others' faces. The study used a spectrum of emotions, from extreme joy to neutral, and measured participants' response times.
A computational modeling study explores the relationship between desire for more and happiness, finding a potential bias in our pursuit of pleasure. The research suggests that this bias can lead to unhappiness, highlighting the importance of balance and moderation.
Research found that hunger is strongly associated with feelings of anger, irritability, and lower levels of pleasure. The study tracked participants' emotions and hunger levels over 21 days, finding a significant link between hunger and negative emotional states.
A new AI-powered mental health application, FuturSelf, uses machine learning to identify the shortest path to mental stability. The system offers personalized recommendations for improving long-term well-being.
A new study found that children who participate in extra-curricular activities experience heightened wellbeing, while those glued to screens show lower levels of happiness and health. The research highlights the importance of encouraging children to engage in physical activities beyond screens.
Research found that stimulating a specific brain circuit relieves pain and reduces defensive behaviors in rats, indicating potential physical and psychological relief. The pathway also increases reward and feeding behavior, suggesting improved emotional state.
Researchers found that tension and lack of it have a significant impact on surgical performance, with shared past successes priming teams for better collaboration
Research found that children who spend more time playing outside had fewer internalizing problems and were more positive during the first Covid-19 lockdown. The effects of adventurous play on mental health were consistent even after controlling for demographic variables, with a greater impact on children from lower-income families.
A new study analyzing 174 peer-reviewed studies on the effects of nature on human well-being found that participants were overwhelmingly white and from high-income countries. The research highlights a diversity problem in the field, which threatens its ability to make universal scientific claims.
A new nationally representative study found that two in five adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were in excellent mental health. Being married, physically active, free from chronic pain, and having no history of depression or anxiety were associated with complete mental well-being.
A University of Essex study found that people subconsciously attribute happiness to women and anger to men, with emotion influencing sex perception more than vice versa. The research suggests this bias may be an evolutionary advantage.
A new study measures the happiness benefits of US city parks in the 25 largest cities, finding a powerful effect from urban nature on users. Park size and accessibility emerged as key predictors of happiness.
A national study found that religious believers who hold accountable to God experience higher levels of mattering, dignity, and meaning in their lives. This relationship is stronger among those who pray more often, suggesting a powerful combination for well-being.
A study by Fuqua School of Business found that people who feel financially constrained experience less
A study published in Scientific Reports found that individuals in happier countries who perceive societal pressure to be happy report poorer wellbeing. The relationship between societal pressure and poor wellbeing was almost twice as strong in countries with higher World Happiness Index scores.
A 'Science of Happiness' online course reduced students' anxiety and improved wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic, contrary to expectations. The study, published in PLOS ONE, found that participating in the course had a positive impact on mental health.
Researchers from RIKEN created Nikola, an android child that can convey six basic emotions through facial expressions. The study tested the quality of these expressions and found that humans can recognize them with varying accuracy.
Researchers from Germany and UK found that civic engagement has little impact on well-being, despite common assumptions. Non-political engagement in old age showed a small positive effect on life satisfaction, but other benefits were limited.
Selling handmade goods on platforms like Etsy increases individuals' happiness, regardless of profit margins. The non-economic value of sales stems from the positive signal it sends about one's skills and competence.
A recent study found that consuming traditional forms of media, such as books and music, has negligible effect on anxiety and happiness levels in adults. However, engaging with newer types of media, like social media and video games, was linked to lower happiness and higher anxiety levels.
Middle-aged women with higher self-compassion had thinner carotid artery walls and less plaque buildup, linked to lower cardiovascular disease risk. The findings persisted even when controlling for behaviors and psychological factors.
A US survey found that dog owners experienced fewer negative psychological impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic compared to potential dog owners. The study suggests that dog ownership may have played a role in mitigating the mental health effects of isolation and confinement.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine developed a shortened 7-item version of the SD-WISE-28 to assess wisdom. The Jeste-Thomas Wisdom Index has high validity and positive correlations with resilience, happiness, and mental well-being.
Recent research shows differences in Russian and US approaches to emotion, with Russian parents reading stories featuring negative emotions to their children. This highlights cultural nuances in socializing emotions before school age.
A Seattle ordinance requiring more notice in scheduling for hourly workers resulted in improved worker well-being, sleep quality, and economic security. Researchers found that predictable shifts led to measurable changes in workers' schedules and positive effects on happiness, sleep quality, and material hardship.
A mathematical equation analyzes participants' brain activity and mood to determine the contribution of intrinsic and extrinsic rewards to their happiness. Most people feel happier after earning points or successfully completing a game, but individual differences exist.
A new study by UBC Okanagan researchers found that including a kindness assignment in an undergraduate course increased students' self-reported kindness scores and peer connectedness. The research highlights the importance of kindness initiatives in post-secondary education.
Research by the University of Kent and University of Reading reveals that a healthy lifestyle can increase happiness. The study found that consuming more fruit and vegetables and exercising can improve life satisfaction, with delayed gratification playing a key role.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that while some free time is beneficial for well-being, too much of it can lead to lower happiness and stress. The research analyzed data from over 21,000 Americans and suggested that a moderate amount of free time is key to boosting well-being.
A new Rutgers-led study finds that people who believe leisure activities are a waste of time tend to enjoy them less. The research suggests that attitudes towards leisure can impact its enjoyment and even mental health.
Researchers found that people who believe leisure is wasteful report poorer mental health outcomes, including lower happiness and higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. In contrast, those who view leisure as having productive value enjoy activities more.
A Japanese research team found that residents who engage in activities like camping and hiking experience increased happiness, while ownership has no effect. The study suggests better policies for enhancing forest relationships and measuring happiness based on the types of forest happiness.
A global correlation between urban green space and happiness was found across 60 countries using satellite imagery data. The study revealed that urban green space adds to happiness beyond the baseline determined by a nation's wealth.
A recent study found that urban green spaces, including parks and gardens, have a positive correlation with citizen happiness. The study analyzed data from satellite images of 60 countries and found that the area of green space acted as a more important factor affecting happiness in countries with higher GDP per capita.
A recent study published in the Journal of Business Venturing found that entrepreneurs whose facial expressions conveyed a mix of emotions during funding pitches were more successful. The study analyzed nearly 500 pitch videos and found that varying three emotional expressions (happiness, anger, fear) led to the most fundraising success.
A new study by psychologists at Emory University found that people can accurately discern most emotions tied to screams, but those of happiness are often misjudged as fear. Screams convey strong emotions, and researchers speculate that this may be an evolutionary carryover bias, where humans err on the side of caution.
A nine-month program combining theoretical studies and meditation practices improved life satisfaction, perceived well-being, and emotional regulation. The study suggests that happiness is linked to inner equilibrium and offers a secular approach to develop authentic happiness.
A study found that communities with low monetization have remarkably high levels of happiness, comparable to Scandinavian countries. The researchers interviewed 678 people and found that social and economic factors play a bigger role in higher monetized sites.
A new study by Matthew Killingsworth from the University of Pennsylvania found that money does influence happiness, contrary to previous research suggesting a dollar-value plateau. Higher earners experience increased feelings of control over life, leading to greater well-being.
A new study by Anglia Ruskin University found that spending time outdoors is associated with higher levels of happiness during COVID-19 restrictions. The research also showed that daily screen time and loneliness are linked to lower happiness levels, but outdoor activities can mitigate these effects.
Research from 63 countries reveals different happiness tests are effective in Western and Asian cultures, with the Eastern Interdependent Happiness scale performing consistently across countries, contrary to the unreliable Western Subjective Happiness Scale. The study expands on the understanding of happiness beyond Western ideals.