Money matters
While it’s important to chase dreams,
not dollars, having the “right” disposable
income seems to weigh into the
equation, too, especially in Australia
and New Zealand.
Using data from the Gallup World
Poll, a representative sample of over 1.7
million individuals worldwide, Andrew
Jebb and colleagues from the Department
of Psychological Sciences at Purdue
University assessed results that linked
emotional satisfaction and the amount
of money individuals made.
Globally, $60,000–75,000 per annum
was the average. In North America, it
was $105,000 a year; in Latin America,
happiness comes cheap at $35,000; in
Eastern Europe it was $45,000 and Asia,
$70,000. The place where happiness was
most expensive was right here: Australia
and New Zealand topped the happiness
scales at $125,000. Why do Australians
need so much to feel happy? Housing
aff ordability would no doubt weigh
into the equation with a hefty chunk of
most people’s disposable income going
to mortgage payments. The results are
surprising nonetheless. In the land of
the laidback larrikin, who would have
thought money would equate so much
to happiness?
Smile
The act of smiling prompts a subtle
chemical reaction in your brain, releasing
hormones, including serotonin and
dopamine, which boost feelings of
happiness. Even if you don’t feel like smiling,
the very act of smiling can trick your body
into pumping out some feel-good hormones.
A University of Kansas study showed
smiling impacts on the body in a physical
way. Some participants in the study wore
a neutral expression while others were
told to smile. Those with grins had lower
heart rate levels in response to the same
stressful activities.Colour coded
Colours impact on moods; wear the right
colour or shade at the right time and it
can make you feel happier.
International colour teacher and
author Vicki Engeham says one of the
happiest colours is yellow. “It brings
joy, happiness and self-confidence,”
she says. “It’s the colour of the sun
and connects us to happy memories
of our childhood.”
Engeham says a pop of orange can
make you the life of a party. “Orange
means bliss, creativity and community,
it means fun. Orange is dancing on the
tables,” she says.
Red is also a positive colour, bringing,
energy and passion. If you’re feeling low
on energy or motivation, red moves you.The colour blue, in contrast, is all about
peace, tranquillity and faith. If you love
blue, opt for lighter hues as the lighter
blue it is, the happier you may feel.Don’t tell porkies
Happier people are more honest with
themselves and with others. Telling
a lie is hard work, especially if it isn’t
a seemingly innocuous “No, your bottom
doesn’t look big in those jeans” kind
of fib. One lie rolls into another, and
another, to protect the “integrity” of the
first lie. It sounds exhausting. It turns
out there’s good reason to be truthful,
even in the case of little lies.
In a study by The University of Notre
Dame over 10 weeks, half the people
were told to be scrupulously honest; not
even a tiny white lie could be uttered.
The other half of the group was given
no instruction. Those who didn’t fib at
all felt healthier, happier and had better
interpersonal relationships than the
other group.Happiness hacks
Having a crappy day and need a boost?
Try these eight happiness hacks:- Hang with happy people: Catch up
with a friend who always has a smile and
a kind word to say. Researchers have
shown happiness is contagious. - Laugh a little: Laughter pumps up the
body’s natural feel-good chemicals; the
endorphins trigger a sense of wellbeing
and can even provide some relief from pain.
Watch a funny film or read a funny book.- Practise gratitude: Happy people are
grateful for what they have. Try starting
a gratitude journal and write in it daily.
You’ll be surprised at the results. - Catch some rays: Vitamin D
exposure boosts your mood, improves
brain function and gives you a sense
of wellbeing. - Do good deed for another: Mark Twain
famously said, “The best way to cheer
yourself up is to cheer someone else up.” - Challenge a fear: Pick something
that’s been holding you back and take
a small step to overcome it. Facing your
fears takes heartfelt courage. Go on, you
know you can. You’ll feel happier for it. - Hug your pet: Research shows
hugging your pet offers an instant
happiness pick-me-up. Better still, take
them for a walk in the sunshine and you’ll
both benefit. - Eat a piece of chocolate: Chocolate is
a guilty pleasure that scientists say can
make you happier. As chocolate contains
phenylethylamine, it mimics the feeling of
love and lifts serotonin.
Carrol Baker is a freelance journalist who
writes for lifestyle and health magazines across
Australia and New Zealand.68 | wellbeing.com.au
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HAPPINESS