Previous research finds that…
- Community participation activities such as taking an active interest in current affairs; regularly socialising with household members, friends, extended family and neighbours; and taking part in organised community activities have been associated with improved wellbeing.
- Happier people give more and giving also leads to increased happiness.
- People who volunteer have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression later in life than those who do not volunteer.
- Money is associated with wellbeing because having enough money improves living conditions and increases social status. However, happiness only increases with income to a point. A range of studies have shown that it is the quality of our personal relationships, not income that has the greatest effect on our state of wellbeing.
- Believing that money is the key to happiness can also harm a person's wellbeing. For example, a person who chooses to work a lot of overtime misses out on time with family, friends and leisure pursuits.