Next, the researchers investigated the effects of regularly sharing happiness over a longer period of time (4 weeks in this case). New participants were asked to write daily in a journal about experiences they felt grateful for, or about neutral subjects they had learned in class. They were then either given no further instructions or were instructed to share these with a partner twice a week. Those who shared their grateful experiences with a partner reported greater satisfaction with life, happiness and vitality (level of energy and zest for life).
One reason that the study asked participants to share their experience with close friends or romantic partners may come from the fact that these people may be more likely to support us. In the study’s last experiment, the researchers noticed that participants that received constructive, encouraging, enthusiastic and positive messages after a successful experience (high achievement on a test) showed greater signs of happiness, love and appreciation. We’ve all experienced sharing an exciting event or plan with someone who did not respond in kind or, worse, criticized our idea and left us deflated. When sharing a positive experience, it is important to select a supportive listener.
The bottom line: sharing our joy increases joy. Telling people about our happiness has far greater benefits than just remembering it or writing it down for ourselves. This research may also help partially explain research by Nicholas Kristakis and James Fowler has shown that our well-being influences that of those around us, up to 3 levels of separation. To try and be happy may seem like a selfish endeavor but it is actually a worthwhile goal to pursue not just for oneself but for our community. In turn, we can help support others’ joy by encouraging them to share their most positive experiences, and the things they feel grateful for. Supporting a friend or acquaintance's well-being in turn may impact not only ourselves but the well-being of all the people connected to that friend. Albert Schweitzer, a German physician and Nobel Peace Prize winner, was right when he said “Happiness is the only thing that multiplies when you share it.”
Are you a scientist who specializes in neuroscience, cognitive science, or psychology? And have you read a recent peer-reviewed paper that you would like to write about? Please send suggestions to Mind Matters editor Gareth Cook, a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist at the Boston Globe. He can be reached at garethideas AT gmail.com or Twitter @garethideas.
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12 Comments
Add CommentI don't think sharing our happiness makes us happier. It is making other people happy and sharing the good things of life with them that make us more satisfied.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThanks for your informative article.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOne complaint:
Albert Schweitzer was many things;
1. He was a physician-he started a hospital in Africa in an area that had none.
2. He was a musician-having earned a doctorate in organ performance, he regularly gave concerts which served as fund-raisers for some of his other activities such as
3. He was a Christian missionary (please see 1.) and
4. He was a theologian-he wrote the book "the Quest for the Historical Jesus" among others.
5. He was a philosopher.
6. And before he died he had garnered more than 50 earned and honorary doctorates.
7. yes, he was German, and won a Nobel.
Albert Schweitzer was many things.
But he was NOT a physicist.
Hmmm... I guess Jesus was right 2000 years ago after all. Even if you don't believe in God see for yourself.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMatthew Chapters 5 to 7.
...Albert Schweitzer, a German "physician" .... No one said he was a physicist.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI don't believe you can make others happy...they need to find their own happiness & the same goes for yourself. You can do the same thing for two different people; one may find great happiness in it & the other may not...it is all up to the person to decide how to react. JMHO
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisCorrect. If unwittingly this kind of sharing as invi
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisdious. Then it defeats the whole purpose.
Correct. If this kind of sharing is perceived as invidious. Then it defeats the whole purpose.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe point of this article was that it makes you happier when you share your sucess. When you are happy others are influenced in that direction.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisLet's extend our horizons for a while. Generally this article talks about happy sharing of moods, mental disposition,happy events in one's life or even material goodies. This works! Generally. but let's not be naive about some people who might not take to it graciously but rather see this kind of sharing as showing off, at the worst, insulting on one's relatively low situation or even at the far end of negativism -- vindictiveness. I am persuaded to believe that only a few fall into this category but the world is an agglomeration of psycho-emotional types. Be careful, careful . . .
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishermst is on Facebook known as John Argophontes
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this:) i think it's been edited. . . made the comment within 20 minutes of original posting.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIf we tell people that we just made a million deal, they think that we show off, especially in Chinese culture.
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