The Happiness Set Point

Question: What do winners of the lottery and paraplegics have in common?


Answer: They report similar levels of happiness in their lives.

This surprising finding illustrates an important fact in our efforts to be happy: events have less power to change our perception of happiness than we might expect.

People who win large amounts of money (in excess of $1,000,000) in lotteries report that they are very happy for about six months. After that, as the newness of sudden wealth wears off, the ratings of happiness drop to levels reported prior to winning.

Those who suffer a catastrophic injury resulting in the permanent loss of ability to walk are markedly less happy in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy. Soon after, usually within the first year, these individuals recover emotionally and are about as happy as they were before this event.

Findings like these have led researchers to talk about a happiness “set point.” By that they mean that most individuals report that their level of happiness does not vary much even when significant events occur.

It is not that happiness cannot change. It can change, but only when a person changes their inner attitudes about life.

Events, positive or negative, will only exert a temporary influence on how you feel. If you want to be happier, you must learn and practice skills that will change your attitudes.

John

I recently co-authored and published a trainer manual for The Healthy Thinking Program. You can learn more about it and order your copy at http://www.preventingdepression.com/.