Happiness: Post #3 - Love

Love: We all need the love and support of family, friends, and colleagues. In a decades-long Harvard Man Study, George Vaillant proved that men who were in loving relationships lived longer and were happier. Other interesting data shows that falling in love and getting married can boost happiness for a couple of years, then it tapers off. If you have children, the first child makes women happier, not men. Additional children lower the happiness of both parents. And marital satisfaction and happiness hit a low during the teenage years of their children. No surprise from anyone who ever has been on that teenager sleigh ride! Note: Having family and social relationships beats the alternative of being lonely—a state that produces many unhealthy results.