Formula for Happiness

By Bijoy Bhuyan
Guwahati.

The formula for happiness by the scientists was revealed in the “New Scientist” magazine recently following a study of 18,000 people recently in 39 countries. Surprisingly, the formula for happiness has more to do with health than wealth and fast cars. Scientist said that the single most factor governing happiness was something over which people had no control – genes. The have listed ten factors which make people happy but said some are born happier than others. Scientist found a link between personality and happiness with extroverts being a lot happier than introverts.

Marriage as the second most important factor, studies from 42 countries show that married people are happier than singles. Third was the wide range of friends, while doing a good turn for someone was the fourth. Faith was fifth most important with a belief in afterlife giving people meaning and reducing the feeling of being alone in the world.

Sixth in the poll is to desire less. The report said: “Wise men have said that curbing your desire is your route to happiness than a fat bank balance”. Good looks come seventh. The most attractive faces are highly symmetrical and there is evidence that this reflects the good genes and healthy immune system. This led researchers to conclude that beautiful people are happier because they are healthier.

Eight factor ascertained by scientist was growing old gracefully. Earning more money was the ninth factor, but only up to a point. Researchers say money can buy happiness, but not too much. Brain cells were 10th and least important factor, which scientist say there was little evidence linking intelligence to happiness.

Bijoy Bhuyan, a retired tea-planter, is the father of Satyamp
Bhuyan, a graduate student in Physics, Iowa State
University, Ames. He recently visited the US with his wife.