Scientists Found the Secret to Happiness—And You May Already Know What It Is

3 min readWhere does happiness actually come from? Both optimists and pessimists would probably agree that it can’t be found in diamonds, vacations with a price tag heavier than the luggage, or a car that’s a status symbol. There really is truth to the often repeated but terribly clichéd phrase, “the best things in life are free.” Happiness is also more complex than those platitudes would have you believe.It turns out that having meaningful relationships is one of those intangible things that leads to happiness in the long term. Researchers Säde Stenlund of Harvard University, Kelsey O’ Connor of the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies in Luxembourg, and Lara Akin of Simon Fraser University in Canada investigated the source of happiness in hundreds of previous studies and their own life experience. More money (besides what’s needed to live comfortably) obviously didn’t cause an increase in happiness, but spending more time with those who matter most was one of the secrets that probably isn’t so secret. Other factors included work and activities that are meaningful to an individual and intentional habits such as listening to others, investing in relationships, and holding on to positive experiences.“Across the discussion, having basic needs met, relationships, meaningful work, and living in ways that align with one’s values and circumstances emerged as central themes,” the researchers said in a study recently published in the Journal of Happiness Studies, which they think is why there’s a “need to address declining youth well-being and inequalities in well-being [and the] potential to have a greater impact on societies and individuals’ lives.”Relationships are evidently the single greatest determinant of happiness. While they’re often underrated in the whirlwind of our busy lives, spending more time and forging deeper connections with loved ones can have lasting results. This echoes findings from the World Happiness Report that have ranked relationships high in importance to consistently happy people year after year. Humans are social creatures. Because people need constant social interaction for a fulfilling life, a 2023 survey by the World Economic Forum that relied on decades of research found that the happiest people, regardless of income, were those who maintained the strongest personal relationships. Another finding was that happier people tend to be healthier and live longer. Whether platonic or romantic, with genetic relatives or chosen family, relationships are integral to happiness.While situations in which work is a drag have been endlessly memed and turned into relatable comedies like Office Space and The Office, the truth about work remains that meaning is everything. Many studies reviewed in this research found that non-financial aspects of a job are surprisingly high contributors to happiness. An increase of trust in management is so important that its value in happiness equates to a substantial raise, and workplace environments that focus on increasing satisfaction just as much as efficiency are likely to have happier employees overall. Employees in such environments want to be there and are usually more engaged by default. UPenn psychologist Martin Seligman, who was not involved in this study, insists that it also goes the other way—the happiness of employees boosts that of employers.Happiness doesn’t necessarily entail a constant stream of positivity. Adverse circumstances at one point or another are almost inevitable, but the researchers insist that being happy is more of a journey than a permanent state of being. Even during a difficult period, someone who’s adaptable and continues to shape their life around their relationships, strengths, and values is more likely to see a flash of sunlight sooner. Support is a lifeline. After 2,400 years, Aristotle’s famous statement that “Man is a social animal” still rings true.Elizabeth Rayne is a creature who writes. Her work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Ars Technica, SYFY WIRE, Space.com, Live Science, Den of Geek, Forbidden Futures and Collective Tales. She lurks right outside New York City with her parrot, Lestat. When not writing, she can be found drawing, playing the piano or shapeshifting.