1. Happiness What factors contribute to one’s happiness?

2. “Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.”
FDR

3. Factors that contribute to Happiness
Supportive Relationships
Religious Affiliation
Positive Cognition and Temperament (impacts mood)
Giving back to the community
Money (until one achieves middle class)
Believing love is more important than money
Trusting others
Feeling that one’s work makes a difference
Sense of Control over what happens in one’s life
Research from Ed Diener (University of Illinois), Daniel Kahneman and University of Chicago’s General Social Survey

4. What are the Benefits of Happiness?
Higher Well-Being
Better Social and Work Relationships
Higher Income
Longer Life
Better Healthier
More likely to be contributing Citizens

5. Views of Happiness?
According to the Dali Lama (Head of Tibetan Buddhism) we are responsible for our own happiness.
Through training our heart and mind we can find more happiness in life. Compassion for other plays a large role in one’s happiness.
Buddhists believe that the the main purpose of life is happiness which as long as one’s basic needs are met is more reliant state of mind than external conditions.

6. Views of Happiness?
King of Bhutan suggests measuring gross national happiness instead of gross national product (GNP)
Even though people of Bhutan are poor, they are very happy
Incorporate meditation into daily life
By contrast Qatar is very wealthy but not very happy.

7. Who is Happy (2015)
6 variables used to measure happiness in the World Happiness Report
1. GDP per capita
2. Social Support
3. Healthy life expectancy
4. Freedom to make life choices
5. Generosity
6. Freedom from corruption

8. Who is Happy? People from Switzerland happiest in the World
Dependable infrastructure (roads, public transportation)
Access to Nature, mountains, lakes, animals
Reasonable working hours (35.2 hours per week)
Democratic government
Good educational system
Longevity (average life span years)
Good health care system

10. Who is Happy?

11. Who Is Happy?
The NY TIMES reported on Gallup research about what makes Americans happiest.
Happiest Ethnic Group – Asians happiest
Happiest Country: Denmark
Age – increases happiness (65+)
Happiest Religious Group – observant Jews
Height – taller than average (men 5’8; women 5’5)
Income (greater than 120,000)

12. Who is the Happiest Person…
The NY Times decided based on data about happiness and various demographics that the happiest person would be…
A tall, Asian-American Jewish male who is a resident of Hawaii who is married with children, owns a business, and earns more than $120,000 a year
The NY Times found this guy….
Meet Alvin Wong!

13. World’s Happiest Person Alvin Wong
5 foot 10 inches
Chinese American
Kosher Observing Jew
Married
Self-Employed (health care company)
Makes over $120,000 per year
Lives in Hawaii

14. March 20th World Happiness Day!