The Science of Happiness Dr Mark D Holder

The Science of Happiness Dr. Mark D. Holder University of British Columbia Huntington’s Disease Society of America 28 th Annual Convention Jacksonville June 21 st, 2013

Psychology, Medicine, Psychiatry, and Neuroscience have traditionally focused on what’s wrong with you and how do we fix it. Positive psychology is about what is right with you and how do we promote it.

Happiness: An Ignored Field Dictionary of Psychology: - Definitions of “Depression” - 18 Definitions - Definitions of “Happiness” - 0 Definitions

Why is Research on Happiness Important? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Improvements in the Immune System Associated with Health Increased Career Success Improved Investment Returns Better Relationships Increased Tolerance Increased Creativity Longer Life How we are Judged by Others We Desire It

“Much has been gained if we succeed in turning your hysterical misery into common unhappiness. ” Sigmund Freud

How happy are you? Self-report measures

The Faces Scale “Overall, how do you usually feel? ” Very Happy very unhappy very happy

Measure Canada Zambia UN Human Development Index 6 th 164 th Life expectancy 80. 7 yrs 42. 4 yrs GDP per capita $50, 496 $1, 414 Adult literacy rate 99% 80. 6% HIV/Aids prevalence (15 -49 yrs) 0. 30 % 15. 20%

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How NOT to become happier

Buying Happiness • Personal income has risen dramatically over 40+ years • Gross National Product has increased dramatically over the past 50 years • Happiness has not increased

Income Increases but not Happiness

Money and Happiness • Winning a lottery • No relation between happiness and family income for children (Holder & Coleman, 2008) • However, most people are convinced that more money would promote their happiness (Kahneman, et al. , 2006) • Less than $70, 000

Happiness and Gender

Happiness and Education No correlation between education and happiness

Happiness and Beauty has many advantages 1) you are judged smarter 2) more likely to get a job, a better job evaluation, a promotion, and a raise 3) more people want to be your friend 4) newborns prefer looking at them

But beauty is not strongly linked to happiness

Life Satisfaction and Age

Happiness & Having Children

Activities and Happiness Grocery shopping Housework Being with your Children Friends Eating

So, if it is not income, gender, education, beauty, age, or having children, what does contribute to happiness?

• Genetics – 40 -50% of happiness has been attributed to inheritance – Twins

Leisure • Active Leisure – Holidays, team sports, and hobbies • Passive Leisure – Television, computer use, and playing video games (Holder, Coleman & Sehn, 2009)

Spirituality • Neglected in adults • 4 -5% of your happiness • Why spirituality? – – – Gives one personal meaning Healthier lifestyle Promotes volunteering and altruism Gives hope Promotes social relations • Children too (Holder, Coleman, & Wallace, 2010)

Four components of Spirituality • • 1) Personal Meaning 2) Connecting with others 3) Transcendence 4) Nature

Enhancing Spirituality Nature experiences Photo albums

Friends and Family • “Hell is other people” (Jean Paul Sartre) • Critical component of happiness – Marriage – Children (Holder & Coleman, 2009) – Dementia and social support

Marriage and Happiness

Quality not Quantity • List three people you are really excited about seeing and you are certain you can trust

How To Nurture Relationships 1) Ask questions and really listen 2) Never miss an opportunity to compliment 3) Never miss a chance to celebrate success 4) Notice something different 5) Limit e-social connecting

Volunteer • Why does this work? – Gives you social praise – Gives you personal meaning – Makes you less self-focused – Makes you feel competent – Promotes social relations

Giving Thanks Gratitude Journal • Three things each week that you are thankful for • 1) a past event • 2) a present event • 3) a future event • 4) something about you (physical) • 5) something about you (non-physical) • 6) a friend • 7) a family member • 8) work • 9) your community

How to Increase Your Happiness 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Don’t Confuse Well-Being with Being Well-off Active Leisure Friends and Family Counting Acts of Kindness Volunteer Discover Flow Sleep & Health Fake it Social Comparisons Spirituality Giving Thanks

A Big Thanks Dr Ben Coleman – Okanagan College Graduate Students: Judi Wallace Andrea Klassen Rob Callaway Ashley Love Maxine Crawford Undergraduate Students: Tabatha Freimuth, Zoë Sehn, Tim Krupa Funding: Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Ogopogo Rotary Club UBC Okanagan Internal Grants & Travel Grants Joan Rundle (private donation) Brain. Trust Canada