Happiness is contagious, new study finds

[IDemo]

By Judith Graham | Tribune staff reporter
6:21 PM CST, December 4, 2008

You may think your attentive spouse, your loving children, and your good friends are what make you happy. But something else may be going on: The people they're connected with are making you happy too.

So suggests a new study proposing that happiness is transmitted through social networks, almost like a germ is spread through personal contact. The research was published Thursday in BMJ, a British medical journal.

It's the latest in a growing body of work investigating how our social connections--neighbors, friends, family, co-workers, fellow congregants at church and other associates--affect us. The premise is that we live in a social environment that shapes what we do and how we think and feel.

"We've known for some time that social relationships are the best predictor of human happiness, and this paper shows that the effect is much more powerful than anyone realized," said Daniel Gilbert, author of "Stumbling on Happiness" and a professor of psychology at Harvard University.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/health/chi-081204happiness,0,6297377.story

edit -- I'm sure the inverse is true, as well! :argh: :grr: :mad: x(

[But....]

1. Doe' s that mean...

:tinfoilhat: . . . . . oh no, we're doomed!:silly:

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy! Don't worry be happy

Here is a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry be happy
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be happy......

Ain't got no place to lay your head
Somebody came and took your bed
Don't worry, be happy

The land lord say your rent is late
He may have to litigate
Don't worry, be happy
Lood at me I am happy
Don't worry, be happy

Here I give you my phone number
When you worry call me
I make you happy
Don't worry, be happy

Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style
Ain't got not girl to make you smile
But don't worry be happy

Cause when you worry
Your face will frown
And that will bring everybody down
So don't worry, be happy (now).....


There's gotta be a pony somewhere underneath this room full of horse shit.


It is true, I try to cheer my neighbors and it helps everyone concerned
with a little smile and a little humor
we can still smell the horseshit that's all around us.