Monday, May 4, 2009

Happiness Bug


(pic thanks to terragaleria.com)

Here's a bug I want to catch. The British Medical Journal, using statistical analysis, has found that happiness spreads from person to person - up to three connections. So if I'm in need of a little lift in my spirits, I can get it from my friend's, friend. I don't even have to know the person to catch their bug. This is much better than swine flu!

Also, having a happy sibling live one mile from you increases your happiness level by 14%.
A nearby friend increases your happiness level by 25%.
A next door neighbor 34%.

So my question is - how much do blogging friends increase our happiness level?

42 comments:

Expat From Hell said...

I can tell you that it has sustained me in this "desert" experience immeasurably. And YOU have been a large part of that. I think it's another reason that I want this community to grow so much.
Thanks for this post, and for your invitation.

ExpatFromHell

Cindy said...

Thank you for passing along the wonderful photo. And I too want to catch that bug! Not all things contagious are bad. :-)
www.quotesushi.com

Lillian Robinson said...

I'm glad I don't live close to my oldest brother! He's a grump! hehe... On the serious side, I prefer to surround myself with people that are happy. That's why my best friend is my best friend. I don't think we've ever been together without laughing.

Anonymous said...

Good question! Hmmmm, creepy dirty old man neighbour...not good...no family members left...no friends within at least a few thousand kilometers....thank goodness I have the blogs at my fingertips! I think it's great that we spread happiness through our blogs actually. When I've feel down or alone, they cheer me up quite a bit. Spread the love!

Hilary said...

Great photo. Blog buddies are just a click away. I'd say that holds a pretty significant happiness quotient. :)

Joanne said...

What a happy post! See? Your blog spread happiness already! Proof that happiness is "virtually" contagious.

TheChicGeek said...

Awwww, such a nice post :) My blogging friends raise me up 100 percent! I love the picture. You are a sweetheart and I appreciate you so much!

I love the picture...You can't help but smile looking at that :D
xox

Elizabeth Bradley said...

What a great subject for your blog. My brother recently moved close and that did make me happier! Our neighbors keep to themselves. I wonder what a good husband does for one's happiness level, (I have one, hee, hee. I agree, the connections we make over the Internet are very real. Great post, Elizabeth.

CrazyCris said...

indeed, happiness is very contagious! but I don't know yet how well it's transmitted via blog... cheerfulness yes, but happiness, dunno...

ellen abbott said...

I don't know the percentage but it makes me very happy to have attracted such wonderful people to my blog and to read theirs.

I took a yoga class for awhile and one of the things she had us do was laugh for 1 minute. It always started out a little forced but by the end of that minute we were all genuinely laughing at the silliness of it all.

Anonymous said...

What a great photo. It made me smile. I'd love to catch all this joy and pass on.

I've moved to a new city and am far from many friends and relatives.

Blogging has given me new friends at the touch of my keyboard.

Joanna Lee said...

People have fallen in love through letters since the beginning of letters. Though some may balk at this notion, I believe that it depends on the honesty, motivation, and sincerity of the persons involved.

Isn't it possible that like any relationship, blogging may develop into deep meaningful connections or simply happy acquaintances?

Either way, the content of the blog can have enormous influence on my happiness meter. It's like reading an enjoyable and thought provoking book.

I also love beautiful art, which also influences my state of happiness.

Isn't anything you enjoy, something that brings you a measure of happiness?

From an Occupational Therapy perspective, healthy and positive activities increase the level of happy biochemicals in the brain.

This causes us to feel secure, hopeful, and happy!

So if you spend time reading blogs that bring you happiness, you are likely to increase your happiness state overall!

Isn't that great!

Thanks to everyone for this wonderful and inspiring world of blogging!

Have a great day!

P.S.
If you'd like more of my therapeutic opinions and my personal journey towards health, visit my Therapeutic Inspirations Blog!

http://therapeuticinspirations.blogspot.com

Marlene said...

I think blogging is right up there on the happiness scale. And, you can do it any time of the day or night. Have you every tried calling your friends, family or neighbour at weird times?

Grinnyguy said...

I thoroughly agree that happiness is contagious. I was in a good mood anyway, but your post has certainly cheered me a little more! Blogs are a little distant, especially if you don't know the person writing, but they can spread happiness too, just like other written media like a letter or a novel.

You must have been in a room where a stubbornly unhappy person sucks the energy and joy out of a room. So grumpiness can be contagious too. But in my opinion, happiness does generally seem to win against apathy and dejection

Andrea said...

I'd say a lot. I can come home, start reading and get absorbed. I tend to lean towards the happy blogs!

Marguerite said...

I totally agree about our dear blogging buddies. I receive so much inspiration and happiness from the blogs that I follow. Thanks so much for visiting and adding me to your reading list.

Bradpetehoops said...

The children are so cute.

L'Adelaide said...

well, i love my bloggy friends and wouldn't know what to do without them! they definitely enrich my life and make me happier.... like you!! ;)

great picture btw...thanks for the great thoughts to ponder....i love coming over here to see what you're up to next!

ps: you clicked my flicker page so no problems!! YAAY!!

Leah J. Utas said...

Blog buds are the best 'cuz they're there with a click.

Renee said...

There are so many levels of friendship for me with different bloggers. So many people you learn to care about when they tell you their truth.

Wonderful blog.

Renee xoxo

Mental P Mama said...

My blog buddies are counted as some of my best;)

susan said...

We're ALL connected :-)

Anonymous said...

AGREE!

Kathy's Klothesline said...

I can get lost in the blogoshere; just like I can in a good book. And the blogs are interactive, so I would have to say that I have met some wonderful people through blogging; which does, indeed, make me very happy!

Martha Z said...

If you use it to seek out possitve bloggers it can raise happiness. If you seek out negative bloggers it will make you cynical.

Butternut Squash said...

I'm spreading germs of hapiness wherever I can. Peace.

Nicole said...

That picture definately spreads happiness :) it is perfect !!! thanx :)

Marlene said...

I definately think blogs can lift your spirits...Connecting with other people with similiar outlooks..makes you feel good! I love looking at beautiful gardens and spaces that are decorated..just like curling up with a great magazine! it inspires you..Some family members can make you happy..others definately not...I think staying away from negative tv programs and limit your news viewing helps...

Nancy said...

Expat - Thanks! Let's see if we can find some new guys...

Cindy - Isn't that photo cute? How can you not smile?

Mizz - That's the kind of friend to have, that's for sure.

Rain - Need to leave that dirty old man neighbor behind!

Hilary - I totally agree.

Joanne - I do think virtual happiness can go far.

Chic - Thanks!

Elizabeth - I think good husbands go a very long way on the happiness scale.

Crazy - Good point.

Ellen - Funny how contagious a laugh is, isn't it?

nuturing - Welcome - hope we can fill in just a little bit for the family and friends you left behind.

Beatriz - So true. Your blog is very inspiring for anyone trying to heal old wounds.

Marlene - Absolutely! I can find blogs at midnight - not so sure about my friends. :-)

Grinny - I agree with everything you said!

Andrea - So do I. If I want a lot of negativity, I read the news. Blogs are an out from all the bad stuff going on right now.

Marguerite - I couldn't resist your Cajun blog!

Brad - Those little children are SO cute, I agree!

Linda - I'm with you on the bloggy friends. Glad there wasn't a problems with the art page.

Leah - And at all hours!

Renee - Heartfelt writing - always interesting.

Mental - Me too!

Susan - We are ALL connected, no doubt.

Debbie - :-)

Kathy - Same here.

Martha - That is very true - you will find what you seek in the bloggyhood.

Butternut - Yes you do - and it is far and wide!

nikina - Thanks - it certainly cheered me up as soon as I saw it.

Marlene - I could not agree with you more! I tried watching a CSI last night and just couldn't finish it - too grim for the age we're in, I think.

Unknown said...

Happiness does spread along, even through blogs, phone calls and emails. Thanks for sharing, happiness is something worthwhile spreading around.

http://updateweekly.blogspot.com/

Swetha said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Swetha said...

the picture is so cute!! I love it.. blogging according to me is like sharing your happiness to the world .... and my happiness level is always at peak!

lolit said...

since i started getting into it....i have gained friends through blogging,i am learning from them.

Midlife, menopause, mistakes and random stuff... said...

I wanna catch that bug as well.......look at all those sweet smiling faces lover of life.
This snapshot made me happy just looking at it :)

Steady On
Reggie Girl

Stella Jones said...

wonderful photo and an interesting topic. I agree that we feed emotions from each other. I know the sort of people I like to be with. They are the sort of people who make me want to stay longer!
Blessings Star

Mental P Mama said...

I want to be exposed to that bug. STAT!

Reya Mellicker said...

I can feel the happiness bug all the way across the country. Thank you!!

robert said...

What a beautiful picture! After spending more than eight hours at a hotel lobby, looking at smiling faces, reading interesting blogs, being able to 'breath' increases my happiness about 90 per cent.

Anonymous said...

I am always flattered when I notice one more follower on my blog. It really touches me that someone I have never met would choose to read about my life and my thoughts. It's a wonderful movement, blogging is. :D

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