Finding out what truly brings happiness is one of life’s biggest goals. It would be unfortunate to spend a lifetime misunderstanding what is really important. Unfortunately, many people do not find genuine happiness. A Gallup poll from 2025 indicated that only 44% of Americans reported being “very satisfied” with their lives, which is a significant drop from previous years and represents the lowest level since the poll began.
To help people understand happiness better, 13 leading researchers in well-being connected through a Zoom call earlier this year. Their aim was to share insights from their combined research and personal experiences about living a happy life. They documented their findings in a paper published in the Journal of Happiness Studies.
The main conclusion from their discussion is that relationships are crucial for happiness. Lara Aknin, a social psychology professor, explained that while many factors contribute to happiness, relationships with others may be the most important. She emphasized that having even one reliable person can significantly impact one’s sense of well-being. The more connections and communities one is part of, the greater the feeling of happiness.
The researchers identified five key points:
1. Relationships are vital for happiness. Many researchers shared that they now make a point to spend more time with family and friends after reviewing their own data.
2. More money does not necessarily lead to more happiness. While having a stable income is important, additional money has less effect on happiness once basic needs are met.
3. Doing meaningful work enhances happiness. Engaging in work that feels worthwhile and aligns with personal values contributes significantly to well-being.
4. Happiness can increase through intentional habits. Several researchers noted that they applied findings from happiness studies to their daily lives by practicing gratitude, enjoying positive moments, strengthening relationships, listening more actively, volunteering, and being socially engaged.
5. Happiness does not mean feeling good all the time. Well-being improves when people align their lives with their values, strengths, and relationships while being adaptable to changes.
The researchers pointed out that happiness is not only about having good circumstances. Studies show that a portion of a person’s happiness is linked to life situations, such as upbringing or job status. However, a significant part comes from the choices one makes with their time. This presents a chance for those who may feel less optimistic to adopt research-supported strategies like meditation or gratitude to help them view life more positively.
Many individuals in the U.S. currently face challenges in finding true happiness. The encouraging news is that, according to leading experts, everyone has the ability to pursue happiness, regardless of their situations, by following their research findings. When one person chooses to pursue happiness, it can inspire others.
Sources:
Source: Upworthy, by Tod Perry