Happiness is now a focus for researchers, including psychologists, scientists, and even economists. And what are they researching? Is Happiness Genetic? Lets see what they make of us human beings and our happiness sustainability.
A young man, with nothing better to do, was dragged to a poker championship by his friends – and won. He beat almost 750 players and won $2 million in prize money. Now I know nothing about poker competitions so I asked my son, who plays a bit. He told me, yes, poker competitions do exist, and yes, through a series of elimination games there will be one winner. And no, he hasn’t won such a competition but hasn’t ruled it out for the future.
The bit I found interesting about this story was, when questioned down the track whether our poker winner was happier since his win he said, “In the very short-term it definitely makes you happier, but in the long-term, I suspect you quickly become your normal self again.”
This young man was far less impressed by his win than most who win millions, and far more level headed. He invested his $2 million so he is set up for life, and now has a new life where he is sponsored to attend competitions round the world. He gets to play the game he is good at and gets paid to do it. He has landed on his feet as the saying goes.
But, is he happier? Can he be happier? Can you?
Lets delve into this a bit. Apparently there is agreement among some researchers that happiness is at least partly genetic. So, how much of our capacity for happiness is genetically inherited and how much is self-made by our choices?
One theory suggests a “set point” for happiness, that, like our poker winner, you can go up in happiness but come back to your “set point” eventually. And when life takes a turn for the worst, you go down in happiness and eventually also are likely to come back to your “set point” as well.
So if you are naturally bubbly, positive already this may be your “set point” and if your are an opposite type person, always contained, cautious, protective and skeptical and not see much to be happy about, that could be your “set point”.
Australia’s Professor Cummins supports this theory. He says this is not a bleak prospect and though we can’t improve our long-term degree of happiness, according to him, we can build resilience to life’s knocks. One way to have resilience is to marry a supportive partner. Another way is to have enough savings to weather a storm. Being gainfully employed and helping others are two more ways.
Well I don’t disagree with the resilience creators offered, but I do disagree with a “set point” for happiness. I guess it depends on what you call happiness. Is peace of mind happiness? Is fulfillment happiness? What about meaningful contribution, is that happiness? Liking yourself no matter what happens, is that happiness?
Associate Professor Bruce Headey of Melbourne University says that people with goals in life tend to be happier. “People are at their happiest with friends and involved in doing something active. If you look at people through one-way mirrors, they’re happiest with their friends, less so with their kids, less so with their spouses and less so commuting.”
Well I’m glad I don’t have to commute, especially in peak hour traffic, so I can agree with that part. But looking for common denominators of what goes with happiness, he said its not education, age, IQ, having children (apparently a short term benefit that dies out over a few years), working more hours or even working less hours. Hmm.
Dr Timothy Sharp, Australia’s positive psychologist known as Dr Happy, is in my camp, or maybe I’m in his. “What the research doesn’t take into account is if someone actively tries to make a change, what happens then? There’s good research that people can learn to be optimistic.”
I believe, and have witnessed over 30 years using Kinesiology in clinic, that people can change, and do change, when they make the choice, to make the most of their life and who they are. Mostly it’s not who they believe they are or what they believe of life to date, it’s a whole lot more. And the belief, and all that goes with it, is the limitation on their happiness.
Once the choice is made then comes the “what” to change and the “how” to change, and Kinesiology identifies the specific ways that have an impact, are effective, for each of us individually.
So, what do you believe? Is happiness genetic? Do you have a “set point” for happiness? Do you want to raise your level of happiness? Do you want to explore the “what” and the “how” to raise your happiness level? Make an appointment and get started.
Cheers
Anna
07-3378 2050
PS: History records that most people who win heaps of money very quickly lose it again, and often lose some more to boot, as well as mess up existing relationships along the down hill run. If you win money you need to be money savvy to make it grow and not diminish. So money alone doesn’t make you what you are not, in terms of knowledge and wisdom.
I have been researching ways to create a healthy body and mind (important to me for my happiness) for over 30 years. Am also exploring healthy finances (important as well). Have found an excellent source, really excited, can share with you too. Ask me for more and I’ll send a separate email. In the meantime, just for fun have a look at this:
http://www.TGRProperty.com.au/5774
Would love to have even more fun exploring this together.