Reader's Digest

July• 2018 | 61

on in times of trouble are happier than
people who don’t” says happiness re-
searcher John Helliwell. “People who
are married are more likely to have
someone to count on than someone
who isn’t married.”
Helliwell’s research has found that
marriage gives a long-term boost
to happiness and the midlife dip
towards unhappiness isn’t as pro-
nounced among married people.
The happiest people of all consider
their spouses to be their best friends.
Helliwell’s research is the irst to ex-
amine the intersection of marriage
and friendship and its effects on
happiness.
“Calling your spouse your best
friend is another way of saying ‘I’ve
got a happy marriage’” Helliwell says.
“hey are happy being married.”
CarolGeehasbeenmarriedtothe
same man for 44 years.
“I realise I am actually happy and
not just staying in the relationship be-
cause we have invested so much time
together” Gee says. “I don’t believe in
not being happy.”

HAPPINESS & WORK

Researchershavestudiedjobtraits
that lead to happiness and greater
lifesatisfaction.Mostpeopleprefera
good work-life balance above all else.
“Variety and learning new things
are important but not as important
as work-life balance” says economist
and happiness researcher Jan-Em-
manuel De Neve. “If you feel your job

is preventing you from giving time to

your family or partner or if you worry

about work problems when you’re not

working that has a massive efect on

wellbeing.”

Retirement as expected enhances

happiness in most adults. “his is due

totwothings”DeNevesays.“One

isrelatedtobeingabletodomore

because the work-life balance shifts

moretolife.here’smoretimeforlei-

sure. People also start adapting their

expectationswhichmayhavebeen

overly high when you started out. You

accept the outcome of your life.”

HAPPINESS&HEALTH

Live long enough and you’ll likely

experience illness or disability. But

with the right attitude these setbacks

won’t afect your happiness levels.

“Wehavelearnedfromourstudy

participants that ageing with illness

andlossarechallengesthatbrought

new insights and appreciation of

life” Carver says.

ResearchersinItalyfoundthatpeo-

ple who have a positive perception of