Happiness
What is happiness? How is it measured? And how can it be enhanced? ESRC research into these areas is shown in these resources.
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Happiness: the greatest gift that we possess?
Do we have a right to happiness? Today governments, economists and social scientists are working to discover the conditions needed to create happiness and how to foster it in the wider population.
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The economics of happiness
Should governments measure happiness and wellbeing alongside the more traditional measures of GDP and inflation?
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The power of positive thinking
Wellbeing is associated with the ability to look forward to positive events in the future, shows ESRC-funded research. Those who think positively are also more likely to have a decent household income, more friends and good forward-planning skills.
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Why volunteering is good for you (and questions to think about)
When people volunteer their time to do something for others, such as helping an elderly neighbour or taking part in a local community project, it can be good for their health, their children's education and even for local crime statistics.
You can also download a single PDF of all the above resources.
Credits
These resources were written by Diane Hofkins.
Additional Links
- Article from the Independent about why it's important for a country to be happy.
- Epolitix article stating that Politics 'should focus on happiness
- 'Making the case for the social sciences - No1. Wellbeing' (PDF)