Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Happiness has a dark side


ScienceDaily (May 16, 2011)— It seems like everyone wants to be happier and the pursuit of happiness is one of the foundations of American life. But even happiness can have a dark side, according to the authors of a new review article published inPerspectives on Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. They say that happiness shouldn't be thought of as a universally good thing, and outline four ways in which this is the case. Indeed, not all types and degrees of happiness are equally good, and even pursuing happiness can make people feel worse.

Trust someone to point it out: Just trying to be happier can make you miserable; you read the self help book, you watch the feel good film, you make an effort to be be more sociable and do 'fun' things, and you end up realising that you aren't as happy as 'the others' and it takes you down again.
What's more the authors of this article point out the down side of happiness; happy people live less. That's right - a shorter happy life or a longer sadder life. If only it was a matter of choice which would you choose? Happy people take more risks, blow their money instead of saving and even experiment with 'brain enhancing' chemicals.

Yet another problem - being too happy means you could be lacking those negative feelings which, while being pretty unpleasant, are an important part of being a well adjusted human being.

So the conclusion is don't spend time worrying about being happy, just get on with living a healthy, sociable life.

Read more here:
Posted by at

28 comments:

  1. TriperMay 17, 2011 at 3:40 AM

    Very nice reading, i like scientist point of view.

    ReplyDelete
  2. KeiMay 17, 2011 at 3:59 AM

    Very interesting post! imo everything has it's dark side if you do it excessively or try too hard to pursue it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMay 17, 2011 at 4:02 AM

    i think it's less about being "too happy" but being in denial of other negative emotions, or stowing away problems you have in your mind instead of coming into terms with it. very interesting post btw!

    ReplyDelete
  4. RaizooMay 17, 2011 at 6:37 AM

    Well i'm desesperate now.

    ReplyDelete
  5. KenanMay 17, 2011 at 7:17 AM

    Agree with @i.o , there is always a need for "reflective emotions" and recognising your true feelings

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousMay 17, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    too much worry about being happy and you're well, worried.

    ReplyDelete
  7. RageCompeXMay 17, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    science...it's so hard..but I passed it on my finals hehe

    ReplyDelete
  8. The CriticMay 17, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    Wise words, and very true.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Th1s_1s_R4z0rMay 17, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    Yeah i dont try :P All i want is good education and money :D

    ReplyDelete
  10. CarmMay 17, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    This is rather sobering. I guess it's also important to know that happiness is fleeting, if you chase it all the time you will never catch it, and enjoy it for the time that it's around.

    ReplyDelete
  11. LealeepoMay 17, 2011 at 9:36 AM

    That's the pure truth. Everything on this world has it's bad and good sides, even happiness.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Pinecone StewMay 17, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    ZOUNDS !!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. nufcmilesMay 17, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    finally a science blog! Following!

    ReplyDelete
  14. m.m.May 17, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    I took a psych class on "the Science of Happiness."

    There are only three things that are proven to increase happiness:

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
    Antidepressants
    Mediatation

    ReplyDelete
  15. tntunusMay 17, 2011 at 11:21 AM

    who is that image i recognize the face from somewhere

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousMay 17, 2011 at 11:31 AM

    Interesting thoughts. I think it is important to have a well-rounded personality. Life just can't be 100% happiness.

    ReplyDelete
  17. wellpickedboogerMay 17, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    Ack, that's a very pitiable person, that worries when they're 'too happy'. I shouldn't talk though, when things are going too well for me, I start feeling pessimistic about the future.

    ReplyDelete
  18. PaulBlarkMay 17, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    Great post. I know alot of people that always seem to be overly happy or overly optimistic and, once I got to know them personally, they were just miserable inside

    ReplyDelete
  19. JCFMay 17, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    Mh I dont care. I try to be as happy as I can and I am : )

    ReplyDelete
  20. FrostyCMay 17, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    I'm manic depressive so a little happiness goes a long way for me...

    ReplyDelete
  21. Watchtower Corp.May 17, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    I thought happiness was universal and a good thing, seems i was wrong

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousMay 17, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    "Pursuit of happiness" it makes it sound like everyone's chasing after it, well we are to an extent but i go about living my life the way i want and im generally happy...suppose i can see how it could be more of a chase for others though :(

    ReplyDelete
  23. Daniel SmothermanMay 17, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    Well said conclusion.

    ReplyDelete
  24. JamesMay 17, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    I'll never be happy, but I'm happy with that. PARADOX!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Jesse CrowsMay 17, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    whoa how is that possible

    ReplyDelete
  26. ruinzMay 17, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    hmm interesting view
    How to Hack Life.

    ReplyDelete
  27. ChazWellingtonMay 17, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    interesting topic to blog about.. good work though

    ReplyDelete
  28. Elliot MacLeod-MichaelMay 17, 2011 at 10:40 PM

    well this was interesting but i disagree with it. i think that true happiness is the satisfaction that comes with being okay with the ups and downs. the kind of happiness these people are talking about is more like a manic state, in which case i agree.
    +followed

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)