If You're Happy and You Know It, Thank Your Friends
You know, I really have to chuckle when science comes up with well-researched conclusions that most of us have already known all along. Here’s the latest: having happy friends can make you happy. In an extensive 20-year study, Harvard Medical School and UCSD researchers concluded that happiness is contagious but sadness isn’t.
What was really interesting about the study, though, is that they found a holographic effect with happiness. If something makes you happy, your friends, who may not even be around, have a higher chance of feeling happy, too. You’ve probably heard it explained from a metaphysical standpoint that your vibration is only as high as the “vibes” of those you spend the most time with.
So choose your friends wisely ““ the impact may be social, emotional and spiritual as well. And, in science’s defense, it’s nice to see objective evidence of things we know, deep down, to ring true.
Image: Shereen M
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Costa Rica: Green & Happy, Too
XHello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic. If you’re looking for happy
In the Mood for Luck
XHello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic. There is not a single
A Smile a Day Keeps the Doctor Away?
XHello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic. If you keep upbeat, do
Take Two and Call Me in the Morning
XHello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic. Here’s a case where quality
|
Bookmark |
1 Comment
December 17th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Fascinating study.
But after having a brisk (ie. as yet unthorough) run through the text, I have to wonder: is it happiness that is most contagious, or is it the physical manifestations of happiness, which may not be actual happiness itself?
(I’m presuming that “happiness” here is the same as “deep contentedness” – ie. lasting and profound, not quick, fickle and fragile).
Being around people is a great way to get a lift of mood. We’re social animals and we’re biologically encoded to dig that. And being around happy people makes us respond that way. But sometimes it’s “crowd happiness” – we become part of the Big Happy Vibe. It’s a social convention, and we want to all fit in, so we act happy – whether or not we really are…
Welcome! The comment box is all yours to say what you like. Just make sure you use a real name, not a site or company, so you don't get sent to the spam bin. (That makes us sad.)