Q: Mens Health says that you’re 63% more likely to be happy if you live within a mile of this?
Answer: A happy friend
(Men’s Health) Happiness is caught, not bought. In a 20-year study of 4,739 people, researchers found that happiness spreads among spouses, siblings, friends, and even neighbors. “It’s a chain reaction, says study author James Fowler, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Center for Wireless and Population Health Systems at the University of California at San Diego. Here’s how you can link up:
- 63% chance by living within a mile of a friend who becomes happy increases your odds of being happy.
- 34% chance by next door neighbors who become happy increases your happiness.
- 15.3% chance more likely to be happy if you’re connected to a happy friend.
- 14% chance by a nearby siblings who become happy increase your happiness.
- 14% chance by being the center of a network increases the chances you’ll be happy.
- 9.8% chance more likely to be happy if you’re connected to a happy friend of a friend.
- 8% chance if a spouse who becomes happy raises the odds of his or her mate being happy.
- 7% chance being connected to an unhappy friend will decrease your happiness.
