Happiness Is Contagious: Study

Happiness is contagious, researchers reported on Thursday.

The same team that demonstrated obesity and smoking spread in networks has shown that the more happy people you know, the more likely you are yourself to be happy.

And getting connected to happy people improves a person's own happiness, they reported in the British Medical Journal.

"What we are dealing with is an emotional stampede," Nicholas Christakis, a professor of medical sociology at Harvard Medical School in Boston, said in a telephone interview.

Keep reading: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081205/us_nm/us_happiness

Comments

[LeeCalif]

What a beautiful picture of these two women.

[SailFree]

And, believe it or not, smiling makes one happier and more relaxed. Acting happy actually MAKES ONE HAPPY!

The problem with HuffPost is the number of angry, mean-spirited people posting, which is clearly also contagious, creating a foul mood around here.

[SailFree]

That should be evident to anyone who has observed human interactions.

Also, one notes that getting exercise tends to make one happier.

[harriscrl3]

I actually think negativity and unhappiness is more contagious if you hang around happy people and you are unhappy odds are you bring them down rather than they lift you up.

Carol

[themodernleader]

Our scholars squander scarce resources on studies that either are meant to learn ways to manipulate and control our decisions or, in this study, to present nonsense as profoundity.
What is happiness? Where does it derive? What is the role of happiness in a person's life?
Hanging around depressed people can foster a sense of depression. Hanging around happy people can foster a sense of happiness. What does either conclusion prove about human conduct or condition?

[HoraceOvidson]

Than why is this story making me so sad?

[hope4flowers]

how very true.You have to at least fake happiness in this life so as to not get labeled toxic and shunned.My adopted mother said it best...don't call me if you cant sound happy and positive.I haven't spoken to her in 7 years.

[Aviv]

Happiness Matters!

Are you surrounded by happy people? Do you consider yourself a happy person?
Here are 20 essential elements you will find with people who describe themselves as happy: http://www.avivconsulting.com/resources/happiness-matters.php

[VikingKing]

Watch this video. It will make you happy, guaranteed!
http://allanerickson.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/grab-a-box-of-kleenex/

[GrainOSand]

What is happiness? I have seen people with the biggest smiles after the show and there was not much smiling and not much to smile about. Contentment is what I like. I like to be accepting of whatever outcome, without fear, disappointment, or concern. When I can muster that spirit -- I am happy. Fret not, it does no good, or as John Lee Hooker put it in song "Cryin' aint gon help you none!"

[jackson1015]

Exactly, that's why I cut all toxic people out of my life. Who feels like listening to a bunch of complaining cry babies? If you can't look on the bright side of things, you're sunk.

[psychmaj323]

not that hard to figure out, negativity is also contagious.

[OtayPanky]

C'mon now. You're spoiling all the fun.