The researchers suspect that spending time with loved ones is often more difficult, but ultimately more satisfying, than spending time with friends.
Hunza Health Secrets For Long Life And Happiness Editor Password Login NotLearn More Skip to main content Subscribe Latest Issues Menu Scientific American Cart 0 Sign In Email: Password: Forgot password Login Not yet registered Stay Informed Search Subscribe Close Search Close Search Advanced Search Coronavirus The Sciences Mind Health Tech Sustainability Video Podcasts Opinion Publications Subscribe Current Issue Cart 0 Sign In Stay Informed Share Latest Celebrating 175 Years of Discovery Learn More Mind A Happy Life May Not Be a Meaningful Life Tasks that seem mundane, or even difficult, can bring a sense of meaning over time By Daisy Grewal on February 18, 2014 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Reddit Share on LinkedIn Share via Print Advertisement Celebrating 175 Years of Discovery data-newsletterpromoarticle-image data-newsletterpromoarticle-button-textLearn Moredata-newsletterpromoarticle-button-link namearticleBody itemproparticleBody.For most people, feeling happy and finding life meaningful are both important and related goals.![]()
They asked almost 400 American adults to fill out three surveys over a period of weeks. Hunza Health Secrets For Long Life And Happiness Editor Series Of QuestionsThe surveys asked people to answer a series of questions their happiness levels, the degree to which they saw their lives as meaningful, and their general lifestyle and circumstances. However, the two measures were not identical suggesting that what makes us happy may not always bring more meaning, and vice versa. To probe for differences between the two, the researchers examined the survey items that asked detailed questions about peoples feelings and moods, their relationships with others, and their day-to-day activities. Feeling happy was strongly correlated with seeing life as easy, pleasant, and free from difficult or troubling events. Happiness was also correlated with being in good health and generally feeling well most of the time. However, none of these things were correlated with a greater sense of meaning. Feeling good most of the time might help us feel happier, but it doesnt necessarily bring a sense of purpose to our lives. Having enough money to buy what one needs in life, as well as what one desires, were also positively correlated with greater levels of happiness. However, having enough money seemed to make little difference in lifes sense of meaning. ![]() In fact, Oishi and Diener found that people from poorer countries tend to see their lives as more meaningful. Although the reasons are not totally clear, this might be related to greater religious belief, having more children, and stronger social ties among those living in poorer countries. Perhaps instead of saying that money doesnt buy happiness, we ought to say instead that money doesnt buy meaning. In Baumeisters study, feeling more connected to others improved both happiness and meaning. ![]() Participants in the study who were more likely to agree with the statement, I am a giver, reported less happiness than people who were more likely to agree with, I am a taker. However, the givers reported higher levels of meaning in their lives compared to the takers. In addition, spending more time with friends was related to greater happiness but not more meaning. In contrast, spending more time with people one loves was correlated with greater meaning but not with more happiness.
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