Happiness: independence as important as $$

Posted: 06.18.2011 at 12:57 PM

Freedom, individualism make us healthier

You've heard it said that money can't buy happiness. And to a certain extent, that's true: a new study shows it's not so much the money, as having freedom to choose.
Dr. Rich O'Neill, Psychologist at SUNY Upstate, points to a study of well-being, burnout and anxiety that looked at over 400-thousand people in 63 countries, and concludes that societies that propmote freedome and individualism have higher levels of well-being. Money, after the basics, is important in that it allows greater freedom, according to the study, which also says education works to provide options.
On the downside, extreme individualism, including disconnecting from family and loved ones, increases stress, and social isolationism is a predictor of unhappiness and physical disease.