Happiness and Effort

What aspect of your life should you change to make yourself feel happier?

Happiness researchers Kenneth Sheldon and Sonja Lyubomirsky studied people who had recently experienced one of two types of change in their life.

The first type, labeled ‘circumstantial change’, involved relatively important alterations to their overall circumstances (e.g., moving house, getting a pay rise, or buying a new car).

The second type, labeled ‘intentional change’, involved changes that required effort to pursue a goal or initiate an activity (e.g., joining a new club, starting a new hobby, or embarking on a different career).

Both groups reported an immediate rise in happiness, but those experiencing circumstantial change quickly reverted back to their initial levels, whilst those who had made an intentional change remained happier for much longer.

Why?

When you have the same wonderful experience time and again you become familiar with your new source of joy, and so cease to derive anywhere near as much pleasure from it. In contrast, intentional changes create a constantly changing psychological landscape that prolongs happiness.

So, why not go for intentional change and:

a. start a new hobby

b. joining an organisation

c. learning a new skill

d. initiating a project

e. meet new people.

Sheldon, K. M. & Lyubomirsky, S. (2007). Is it possible to become happier? (And if so, how?) Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 1, 129-145

If you are in Oxford why not start a 'Happiness Club'?