You can buy happiness, but do it for the excitement!

William Atkins
Monday, 09 February 2009 18:27

Science - Health

Dr. Howell found that social activities (what he calls “experimental purchases”) such as going on a vacation, having a party for your friends, or going to the theatre or concert is better for one’s mental state, specifically your happiness, than buying material things (what Dr. Ryan calls “regular purchases”) such as large-screen TV sets, cars, and clothes.

In the February 7, 2009 Los Angeles Times article Money doesn't make us happy but experiences do, Dr. Howell states, "People report a sense of feeling invigorated or inspired. Experiences may also yield more happiness because people are left with positive memories, a sort of return on their investment.”

He added, “It's not that material things don't bring any happiness. It's just that they don't bring as much. You're happy with a new television set. But you're thrilled with a vacation."

His study on human happiness was presented at the 116th annual meeting of the American Psychological Association (APA), held in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. on August 14-17, 2008. The title of his talk was Examining Convergence of Experience Sampling Methods: Do Different ESM Capture Unique Aspects of Manifested Personality?

A paper is to be published in the Journal of Positive Psychology.

Dr. Howell also discovered that the amount of money spent does not relate to the amount of happiness attained; that is, the more (or less) money spent doesn’t mean you’ll get more (or less) happiness.

He concludes in the LA Times article by saying, "For whatever you can afford, you'll maximize your happiness, and the happiness of others around you, if you spend it on a life experience. Whether you spent a little or a lot on the life experience, you still have the same level of happiness.”