Happiness is Infectious

by Karenke4 | December 5, 2008 at 10:10 am

804 views | 31 Recommendations | 8 comments

Happiness loves company, according to a study which followed the emotional states of almost 5000 people over a course of 20 years. This holiday season remember that though there are hundreds of things to get down about, ( a global recession, massive energy crisis, global warming and terrorism, to name a few) surrounding yourself with a happy sibling, spouse or friend can increase your individual happiness by more than 15 per cent.

Professor Nicholas Christakis and Professor James Fowler used data gathered by the responses of participants using these four statements:

“I feel hopeful about the future.”
“I am happy.”
"I enjoy life."
“I feel that I am just as good as other people.”

Using statistical analysis the researchers measured how social networks were correlated with reported happiness. They found that live-in partners who become happy increase the likelihood of their partner being happy by 8%, similar effects were seen for siblings who live close by (14%) and neighbours (34%). Work colleagues did not affect happiness levels suggesting that social context may curtail the spread of emotional states.

People who are happy tend to be more social. By surrounding themselves with other people their happiness will disperse throughout their social network.

The relationship between people's happiness can extend up to three degrees of separation (to the friend of one's friends' friend). Indeed, people who are surrounded by happy people are likely to become happy in the future.

On the other hand. Depression is more solitary. People who are depressed will opt out of social contact, thus isolating themselves and their sadness.

Importantly, they report that close physical proximity is essential for happiness to spread. A person is 42% more likely to be happy if a friend who lives less than half a mile away becomes happy, the effect is only 22% for friends who live less than two miles away, and this effect declines and becomes insignificant at greater distances.

These days people are more connected than ever, thanks to social networking websites like Facebook and Myspace. Perhaps these forums for screen to screen human interaction will contribute to a global movement towards happiness.

Real time contact with other people will always prevail as the greatest way to spread joy. This season, if debating whether to go home for the holidays, remember that spreading joy is easier than you thought. You don't need to buy fancy presents like a new plasma television or Lego set to spread happiness. You merely have to be present.

2 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Barbara McPherson

at 10:26 on December 5th, 2008

I heard this yesterday and it made me smile. Reading it this morning makes me happy too. It's the best news I've heard in a long time. Thanks.

munty13

at 10:28 on December 5th, 2008

'You merely have to be present.' - love it.

Paschen

at 11:21 on December 5th, 2008

Not infectious enough though for my liking. :)

alvinchan-photos

at 17:19 on December 5th, 2008

Picture of my son Alphonse (right with plastic cup) on his 7th Birthday last December 4, 2008... He really requested that we celebrate his birthday in school and not at home so he can spend it with his friends. I can never forget the happiness in his face that day...

Alvin Chan

alvinchan-photos has contributed a photo to this story.

Peanut Tree

at 07:36 on December 6th, 2008

Jack is a 5 year old rescued racing Greyhound. We have had him only 2 months and he has always been a snuggle-bug and a sweet, calm and gentle boy. He has a big brother, Charlie, another rescued racing Greyhound who has been with us a little over a year. Charlie and Jack love to snuggle on their beds, short calm slow walks, yummy real food and lots of love from momma and daddy and their 2 tiny siblings - a Rat Terrier and a Pug. We all live happily in a 320 square foot motorhome! Greyhounds are couch potatoes and sweet loving dogs. We cannot imagine or lives without a Greyhound ever again. Charlie and Jack are in their Forever home and we love them dearly.

Peanut Tree has contributed a photo to this story.

Ria Kock

at 16:09 on December 6th, 2008

Until yesterday I had never heard of NowPublic. I uploaded a picture of my niece Monica at Flickr and then was invited by Karenke4 to upload the image here. Well, I think the laugh of this girl definetely suits the article, allthough this is only a moment in her life and unfortunately she is not allways happy!