The mathematics of happiness

Most people, with the possible exception of my wife (who happens to be a middle school mathematics teacher) would rarely, if ever, use the words "mathematics" and "happiness" in the same sentence!  That's why I was so interested in reading an article I came across recently in The Atlantic by the Harvard Business School professor Arthur C. Brooks entitled, "The 3 Equations for a Happy Life, Even During a Pandemic".  Apparently, Brooks started a column in the magazine called "How to Build a Life".  He is uniquely qualified to do so, having taught a class at Harvard Business School on happiness (and how cool is that!?!?!).  So, let's take a closer look math fans.  

Equation #1: Subjective Well-being = Genes + Circumstances + Habits

The term "subjective well-being" is a more scientific term for "happiness" perhaps.  Regardless, any one individual's level of happiness is determined by genetics, circumstances, and personal habits (see the excellent summary in the article by Sonja Lyubomirsky and colleagues "Pursuing Happiness: The Architecture of Sustainable Change").  The most important factor is genetics, which accounts for close 50% (and in some studies, the percentage is as high as 80%) of what makes someone happy, as determined by studying twins raised in the same versus separate households.  Apparently we inherit a so-called set point (or set range) of happiness.  Our level of happiness changes within this genetically determined range of happiness (so, some individuals are generally very happy, while others may be less so).  Our range of happiness states likely changes very little over the course of our lifetime and is dependent on our underlying neurobiology.  

The second factor determining our level of happiness involve our life circumstances.  These are the incidental, but relatively stable, facets of an individual's life, such as where they live, as well as demographic factors including age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, and employment status.  Collectively, these factors account for about 10% of or overall level of happiness (again, based upon twin studies).

Finally, the last factor that determines our level of happiness involves our habits - the things we do throughout our life that directly impact our mood and behavior.  These factors account for 40% of our overall level of happiness, which is really great news because these are the factors that we have the most control over!    These factors include lifestyle choices such as what we eat in our diet or how much we exercise.  They can also include whether or not we choose to look at the positives or the negatives in our lives (as my wife says, "It's the power of a positive attitude!"), all of which brings us to Equation #2 below. 

Equation #2: Habits = Faith + Family + Friends + Work

As discussed above, there is good news and bad news in the science of happiness.  Bad news first - at least 60% of our level of happiness is out of our own control.  The good news is that the remaining 40% is under our direct control.  Equation #2 summarizes the results of literally thousands of studies that consistently show that (1) people who consistently practice some religious faith or secular philosophy of life are happier than those who do not; (2) people who have loving relationships with family and/or friends are happier than those who do not; and (3) people who have meaningful work are happier than those who do not.  Factors in this category that are just as important include our choices to eat a healthy, balanced diet, get regular exercise, avoid tobacco, drugs, and alcohol, and focus on positive behaviors.  We can surprisingly control more of our own happiness than we realize.  As Martha Washington said, "I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself.  For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance, but by our disposition."

Equation #3: Satisfaction = What you have ÷ What you want

The Dalai Lama stated, "We need to learn how to want what we have, not to have what we want..."  The Spanish Catholic saint Josemaría Escrivá said something similar, "Don't forget it: he has most who needs least.  Don't create needs for yourself."  There is something in the field of happiness psychology called the hedonic treadmill, the idea that our happiness always regresses to the mean (our set point).  Over time, what made us really happy in the recent past (more money, more love, more friends, etc) no longer makes us as happy over the long term.  We get accustomed to a certain level of what ever makes us happy.  The key to avoiding the hedonic treadmill is to focus on the denominator in Equation #3.  When we want less, we are typically more content with what we have.

As it turns out, these three equations encapsulate almost everything that has been written about the science of happiness.  I will end this post, as I often do, with a quote.  This one comes from an ancient Chinese proverb: "If you want happiness for an hour—take a nap. If you want happiness for a day—go fishing. If you want happiness for a year—inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime—help someone else."  Be happy and be well.