What Makes People Happy

When people think of happiness, they often think about things that bring them pleasure. Food, material goods, sex, and favorite activities are often on the list people come up with when asked about what makes people happy. But science has shown that these things only bring temporary pleasure, not the true joy that many people spend their lives searching for. In reality, say scientists like Dr. Martin Seligman, a University of Pennsylvania professor and David Ben-Shahar from Harvard University, true happiness depends on having things in life that are both pleasurable and meaningful.

Relationships and Friends Make People Happier

One important way to become happier is by developing meaningful relationships. Relationships and friends make people happier overall. Having five or more close friends brings more happiness to people. A recent study published in the British Medical Journal even found that happiness can be contagious among friends. When one person achieves happiness, their friends will also become happier.

How to Buy Happiness

Money can't buy happiness, but how someone decides to spend their money certainly can affect happiness levels, according to scientists. One way to use money to increase happiness is by buying experiences instead of things. Money spent on a vacation or hobby has been shown to bring far more joy than a new TV or car. Another thing scientists have discovered is that doing good and helping others brings higher levels of happiness than simply doing pleasurable things. So spending money on charity can buy more happiness than the same amount of cash spent on onself.