The science of smiles: positive psychology explores the things that make us happy.

RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS PA—Last weekend I attended a ground-breaking conference in Philadelphia, PA—my birthplace, and the birthplace of the revolutionary idea that every human being possesses the right to life, liberty and “the pursuit of happiness.” I joined 1500 psychologists, educators, health researchers, and business experts from around the world to explore how human beings pursue and find happiness. The event was the first World Congress on Positive Psychology, dedicated to the scientific study and promotion of the positive qualities that enable individuals, families, organizations, and societies to flourish. Started in 1998 by Martin Seligman, PhD, at the University of Pennsylvania, the positive psychology movement has spawned a flood of research into the causes and consequences of human happiness.

THE DETAILS: Many findings suggest that happiness is about more than just feeling good. Happier people tend to be physically healthier, live longer, and do better in school, work, marriage and child-rearing. The pursuit of happiness is not a trivial pursuit!

Unhappiness is a staggering public health issue which places a heavy burden on our health care system and our economy. Depression is the second largest cause of disability, and unhappiness contributes to a wide variety of illnesses, as well as to decreased productivity. Because of the link between happiness and health, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been studying well-being as an important factor in health outcomes and costs.

The bottom line is that happiness is good medicine.

For decades, we have known that negative emotions, such as stress, anxiety, anger, and depression contribute to illness. What is different about the newer research is the finding that positive emotion, not just the absence of negative emotion, helps us to stay healthy. For example, as I discussed last week, people who are more enthusiastic, spirited, and content have stronger immune systems, and are less likely to come down with colds.