Happiness Is Not All Genetic
Research by Sonja Lyubornirsky, professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, indicates that approximately 50% of how happy we are is due to genetics. Another 10% is attributed to life experiences, such as health, prosperity, and relationship status in life.
The balance, or approximately 40% is due to behavior and therefore within our personal ability to add to, or enhance.
Professor Lyubornirsky maintains that happy people share certain traits, They value and nurture relationship with family and friends. They tend to be optimists instead of pessimists. They tend to be more active physically, will exercise, and remain fit.
Because of being more physically fit, they are better equipped to deal with life’s problems. Many studies show that exercise is a mood booster due to the increased release of serotonin in the brain, which elevates our mood.
It is interesting to note that many people confuse joy for happiness. Joy is temporary. For example, if you won a big lottery, you would be filled with joy at the moment of winning.
Happiness is longer lasting. For example, a mother with five children and twenty grandchildren would be in an ongoing state of happiness if all her children and grandchildren are healthy and all are doing well in life.
Research in the US has found that people who identify themselves as ‘conservative’ are more likely to be happy, or very happy compared to those who consider themselves ‘liberal.’
Parents are more likely to report being happy than non-parents, and religious belief also appears to be positively correlated with happiness.
Gerry Hopman is a Humorist, Motivational Speaker and Author, who believes that humor and laughter are essential to finding and maintaining balance in life and career. To find out more about Gerry, visit his website at:
