The Happy Formula: Family, Friends and Job Satisfaction :-)

Good relationships with family and friends and job satisfaction are what make people happiest, finds a new survey.

A new survey has deemed that secret to happiness as "good relationships with family and friends and job satisfaction".

The annual UMR Research happiness survey involving almost 15,000 New Zealanders over the age of 18 showed that even socialising, having a sport, hobby, or interest in the arts can help people stay happy.

Happiness Meter: Seniors Happy While Those Under 25 Are 'Stressed and Lonely'
A Standard Life report, called 'Age Old Stereotypes' has claimed that people over 55 are happier, while those under 25 are likely to be lonely and stressed about money.

However, with economic downturn Kiwis seems to be less happy this year.

The happiest men are in Nelson/Marlborough, and the happiest women in the Bay of Plenty.

But those living in Wellington were the least happy of city dwellers.

Hunting for 'Happiness Genes': Research
A Tel Aviv University researcher in Israel is trying to identify specific genes that are associated with happiness.

UMR director Tim Grafton said that happiness is declining between being a young adult until mid-40s and then steadily increase to peak with those over the age of 75.

"Happiness and money don't go hand-in-hand as those on less than 15,000 dollars a year are slightly happier than those on more than 70,000 dollars," the NZPA quoted Grafton as saying.

Inadequate Happiness Hormone May Result In Impaired Maternal Behavior
Researchers in Germany have claimed that lack of serotonin, or the happiness hormone , in the brain slows the growth of mice after birth and is responsible for impaired maternal behavior

"However, the least happy are those on middle incomes between 30,000-50,000 dollars," he added.

Source-ANI
TAN

Money Can Buy - Happiness and Health: Studies Out To Prove It!
Remember all those harbingers of doom who predicted that the quest for wealth is a futile, goose chase. The results of this scientific study, then, will probably shut them up!