The Truth on Money and Happiness
By Nina Atwood
Does money buy happiness? Most of us have heard all of our lives that it doesn’t. Now, research shows us that it’s true – money doesn’t buy long-term happiness. It turns out that gaining large sums of money is similar to taking drugs – it temporarily stimulates the pleasure centers of the brain. But in the long run, our brains return to “set point,” the level of general life happiness that we had before the windfall.
What is happiness? If the definition of happiness is that temporary buzz we get when something unexpectedly wonderful happens (financial windfall, new car, falling in love, new house, etc.), beware. That temporary high doesn’t last. Our brains are wired to experience those things as short-termed uplifts, not enduring feelings.
A better definition of happiness is overall satisfaction and joy about life in general. That means warm, loving relationships, work that is satisfying, and goals toward which we put effort. It turns out that more happiness is achieved out of seeking something rewarding than actually getting it.
But let’s not forget that with NO money (i.e., severe financial struggles), it’s very, very difficult to feel satisfied with life overall. As Suze Orman points out, “I’m talking about how your happiness is affected when you’re worried about how you’ll pay the bills at the end of the month, save for the future and be able to afford to retire. In other words, how you’ll make ends meet. When those worries are your reality, I think it’s ridiculously hard to be authentically happy.”
Bottom line: aim for overall, enduring life happiness, primarily through relationships and life goals that energize you.
Entry Filed under: Personal Growth
1 Comment
1. Antonio Thornton | October 16th, 2007 at 4:31 am
Hello Nina !
Making money is about having opportunities presented to you. These opportunities come about through proper decision making, thinking the right thoughts and taking positive action. All these things roll together to create for you the kind of life and reality you wish to experience. Some people probably considered very lucky.and probably have a great relationship and family life.