Happy- A Synopsis

Today I watched a documentary called Happy on Netflix.  I learned some interesting things.  I know it's long, but to me, it's interesting.  And in case you don't have an hour and fifteen minutes to watch, I'm breaking it down for you... :)

• Happiness generally works like this: 50% of your level of happiness is determined by genetics- it's how you handle adversity. 10% has to do with circumstances- how much money you make, where you live, etc. That leaves the other 40% as choice.  That means we have a pretty good chance to improve our happiness level by the actions we choose to take every day.  And, it's important to constantly adapt and change things up, even things as little as the route you take to work, to increase your chance of happiness.
• Happiness stems from Dopamine, which is produced by the brain.  One of the best ways to produce it is by physical activity.  You're body decreases the production of Dopamine as you get older.  If it decreases too much, you end up with Parkinson's Disease.  However, you can do things to stimulate the production of Dopamine.  One of the best ways is by physical activity.  The best way is to be creative with your physical activity by trying new things.  Example: http://austingorillarun.com/. Cooperation is another way to increase Dopamine.  When you cooperate with others to achieve a goal, it can give you the same high as cocaine.
• Flow is a term used to describe the synergy you feel when you do something to exert yourself, for which you have clear goals, and you challenge yourself for no specific reason.  It's not for money, it's for self satisfaction.
• One of the key elements of happiness is being able to recover from adversity quickly.  Everyone has adversity, it's just a matter of how long you let it keep you down.
• Income and wealth in the U.S. has almost doubled in the last 50 years.  However, the level of  happiness in Americans has remained about the same.
• Don't be on the hedonic treadmill- where whatever level of wealth or possessions you have, you adapt to it and want more.  This is one of the biggest factors to prevent happiness.
• Money buys happiness only to an extent- up to the point that your basics are covered- food, shelter, etc.  It was determined that people who earn $50,000 per year are significantly happier than those who make $5,000.  But people who make $50,000 were found to be equally happy to those who make $500,000.
• Studies of the happiest people show that without exception, all of them have the support of close family and friends.
• Extrinsic goals: money, image and status.  Intrinsic goals: personal growth (trying to be who I really am); trying to have close personal relationships, and a sense of community.  If your goals are extrinsic, you will not find as much satisfaction in life, as you would if you focus on intrinsic goals.
• Japan is the least happy country in the world.  They are so eager for success they are working themselves to death.  They even have a term for this- Karoshi.  
• Bhutan is a country that is not focusing on economic growth and gross national product, rather, they are trying to maximize gross national happiness.  They believe their citizens may not be rich, but they can be content and happy.  They don't exploit their national resources to earn money for their country, if it means they lose a forest, or it causes loss for the people.  They have rules for dress, culture, and architecture.  This is a new movement for them.
• Denmark is known as consistently the most happiest country in earth.  There is a strong sense of community.  Education is free.
• We all need something bigger than ourselves to care about.  Working as part of a community helps us focus on what we have to offer to others instead of focusing on the things we don't have in our lives.
• Happy people function better, they are healthier, they live longer, and they are more productive.
• The Guinness Book of World Records shows that there's a disproportionate number of the world's oldest people in Okinawa, Japan, (despite their record of being the most unhappy nation!).  (I read yesterday they have over 17 people who are older than 100!) The residents attribute their health and longevity to working hard on their farms, eating dinner together, spending time with family, drinking Sake in the evenings, and going to bed early. They have strong traditions that bring people of all ages together regularly. And, they do not believe in doing harm to anyone. Their sense of community is so strong, that they cremate all of their dead, and put them in one communal coffin, because they are all "one family."
• To laugh is important.
• Play, having new experiences, having friends and family- these are the things that make us happy.
• And last but not least, compassion leads to happiness.  It is in our blood from birth, throughout our whole lives.  Spending two weeks meditating on trying to be compassionate can physically change your brain and increase your happiness.

Stay happy my friends!