The science of love and social support

By: Jessica MeckleyLE 1220

Spring 2012

QuoteWhen you feel loved, nurtured,

cared for, supported and intimate, you are much more

likely to be happier and healthier. You have a much

lower risk of getting sick and, if you do, a much greater chance

of surviving. -Dean Ornish

AnimalsDuring my own research I have found that animals can help people more then we think. An animal can be your best friend and someone that can help in your everyday life. There are dogs that help the blind, help the police, and just help people that are lonely. I know in my own life it has always been nice to be able to have someone to cuddle up in your lap and just give you the love and protection that all people crave.

What is good for you?“According to the CDC report, married people

were half as likely to be smokers than non-marrieds, were less likely to drink alcohol, were more physically active than non-marrieds, and were also less likely to suffer from headaches, back pain and psychological stress disorders.” Married couples report higher levels of happiness.

"Human connectedness is a basic fundamental need for people. Marriage or being in a close relationship is an important part of life. When it is good, it doesn't just make life pleasurable. It is good for health. When people are in happy situations, maybe they exercise together; maybe they sit down to healthy meals together. It is adaptive."

WorkPeople visualize about leisure and luxury, but the data shows that, that’s not what creates lasting happiness. What does make for happiness is getting work that allows you to move toward goals that you find important. In other words, what’s important is not just employment, but purposeful work. So is having control over your workplace.

MoneyOther things that make people happy are religion, having family and friends you care about, giving to others and money.Actually, money makes you happier if you’re miserably poor. But once you have a certain amount -- maybe enough that you no longer have to worry about your family’s well-being -- more money doesn’t make much difference. Lottery winners report that, a year after their windfall, they were no happier than they were before.

Government• The typical media claims that the

way to make people pleased is to have government protect them from hardship and give them stuff.

• “In fact, the bigger government is, the less happy societies tend to be. There is a direct relationship, stripping everything else out, between the government allowing people more freedom and well-being increasing.”

Bibliography• http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,147453,00.html• http://www.springerlink.com/content/v612237231723530/• http://www.jstor.org/pss/353867• http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/02/08/what-really-makes-

people-happy/• http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&biw=1366&bih=620&gbv=2

&tbm=isch&tbnid=mfb_0xW2wUmz2M:&imgrefurl=http://blog.luxuryproperty.com/luxury-yacht-maker-ferretti-launches

• http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&gbv=2&biw=1366&bih=620&tbm=isch&tbnid=ExTM0mGD6DpXfM:&imgrefurl=http://derekbennetteu-sceptic.blogspot.com/2011

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