The art of living: What we should consider according to happiness research

Long before the birth of Christ, Greek philosophers were already exploring the question of what constitutes a contented or happy life. So-called "happiness research" is doing the same today. The most important findings from this research are:

No, happiness research isn't a new invention. The ancient Greeks called it "ars vivendi" ("the art of living"). A full 22 generations before Christ, Pythagoras of Samos was concerned with the question of the right way to live. Yes, that's right: the man who still annoys us with geometry today...

What Harvard University says about the topic…

Since 1937, the renowned Harvard University has been conducting one of the most comprehensive long-term studies in the field of happiness research. The study participants were tested and surveyed at regular intervals throughout their lives. Naturally, fate struck, both good and bad. President John F. Kennedy, also one of the subjects, was famously assassinated. Other participants gained a lot of money or fame, lost everything, or suffered accidents. They found love, broke up, and fell in love again. A full life, in other words. Not just a lab coat thing.

Key findings of the study include the importance of a stable relationship until the age of 50, physical activity, a balanced diet, and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and smoking.

Personal relationships in the form of stable partnerships, friendships, and social engagement were particularly emphasized as key factors for a fulfilling and long life. While health was an essential condition for happiness, good relationships were even more important.

Formula for happiness? Yes, there is one too…

A study from Germany by the University of Magdeburg has developed a so-called formula for happiness :

• One third of happiness depends on securing one’s livelihood
• Another third of love in partnership, family and friendship
• One third of being. This means meaningful being

In the formula derived from German happiness research, a healthy combination of “having + loving + being” is the optimal combination – as a prerequisite for a happy life.

"No, it's Monday again" or "When do the holidays finally start?" are clearly not part of this formula. Because they indicate that you don't see any meaning in your work . And for most people, this makes up the largest part of their lives.

But who exactly asks about happiness?

Now it gets more complicated, because depending on how you approach the topic of happiness, different things come out:

Empirical happiness research: “Please tick”

Contemporary empirical happiness research attempts to present happiness as a measurable phenomenon and identify the characteristics associated with it. The challenge lies in the fact that happiness is a subjective experience. Surveys and interviews are often used to gain scientifically sound insights, as happiness—apart from neurological studies—is difficult to measure directly.

Philosophical happiness research: Great thinkers at work

The philosophical view of happiness is rooted in the teachings of Aristotle, who defined happiness as something independent. Aristotle held the view that every person has an individual destiny ( "ergon" ), the fulfillment of which leads to a happy life. He thus placed more emphasis on human actions than on their subjective perceptions.

Physiological happiness research: Measured directly in humans

Physiological happiness research focuses on studying brain activity and investigating which brain areas are active during a happy mood. This research also covers genetic aspects , and it has been found that genes contribute about 50% to personal happiness.

Social science happiness research: Humans as group animals

Social science research examines happiness in the context of social, economic, and political conditions. Demographic data such as population size and life expectancy, as well as a country's political system, influence the sense of happiness.

According to the World Happiness Report, Finns are (once again) the happiest people in the world in 2023. Denmark follows in second place, followed by Iceland. The most important criteria in the study are income (per capita GDP), social support, health, freedom of choice in life, and a low level of corruption in the country.

Experimental happiness research: balance between doing and being able

Experimental happiness research, a newer discipline, focuses on "optimal challenge." According to this approach, self-perceived happiness is enhanced when people face challenges that emphasize their strengths and utilize their potential without overwhelming them. A balance between challenge and feasibility is essential.

Your own contribution: Why our view of happiness is central

Research into the factors that make people happy is exciting for identifying modifiable indicators. But everything that happens to us is also filtered through our individual perceptions.

How one sees one's life, one's ability to recognize the good, one's resilience , and one's ability to adapt or reorient oneself are the lenses through which one views life. And whether these lenses are rose-colored, gray, or green, as we all know, has a huge impact.

This results in two essential aspects of happiness:

First, happiness is and always will be subjective. What makes one person happy might not even satisfy another—or bore them out of boredom.

Second, our happiness is a matter of perception . Early in the morning, is the focus more on the good things in life—and gratitude—or do worries, problems, and insecurities play the biggest role?

Are we the blacksmiths of our own destiny, as the saying goes? To a certain extent, yes. On the other hand, as the Harvard study shows, the iron to strike changes every now and then; the ceiling catches fire, or the hammer breaks. It's fate, after all. It's important to take a conciliatory view of the new situation—and eventually move on.

"Sisu" is what the Finns would say . There's no exact translation for it, as it means many things at once. "Perseverance" and "intransigence" come closest, however. A trait that people with ADHD (and have to) practice every day. The Danes say "hygge" – and it means a cozy, warm atmosphere where you enjoy the good things in life together with loved ones. Finally, in Iceland , there's a saying: "It all comes down to the cold water." Meaning: Everything will be alright. But you have to be patient.