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Why you shouldn't strive to be happy
Last reviewed: 30.06.2025
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People who are "too happy" die earlier than their gloomier peers, a new study has found.
Scientists believe this is because such people are more likely to suffer from mental disorders such as bipolar disorder, which promotes risky behavior and thus increases the likelihood of accidents. In addition, having fun at the wrong time and place can cause anger and irritation in other people.
Researchers from various universities around the world have also found that those people who strive to be happy often suffer from severe bouts of depression because they feel depressed when they fail to achieve their goals.
Scientists say that the key to true happiness lies in good relationships with friends and family members. Co-author of the study, Professor June Gruber from the Department of Psychology at Yale University, says: “Happiness is not about money, success or fame. Happiness is about meaningful social connections.” She added that the best way to be happy is to stop worrying about whether you are happy or not. Instead, you need to shift your focus to building friendships with other people.