British psychologist Oliver James warns that the compulsive pursuit of money and possessions is making people richer but sadder.
The idea that chasing material success doesn’t lead to happiness is not a new one. However, James’ book Affluenza is the first to explicitly link the pursuit of flash cars, boats and clothes to depression. According to James there is currently an epidemic of 'affluenza' throughout the world - an obsessive, envious, keeping-up-with-the-Joneses - that has resulted in huge increases in depression and anxiety among millions.
Studies in lots of different nations show that if you place high value on those things, you are more likely to suffer depression, anxiety, addictions and personality disorders
These findings, are supported by Martin Seligman, the father of Positive Psychology. In his book, Authentic Happiness, which discusses happiness and life satisfaction he proposes the following formula for happiness:
H: Your enduring level of happiness
S: Your set range (includes genetic predisposition to happiness)
C: Your life circumstances
V: Factors under your voluntary control
Seligman’s conclusion? Approximately half of your score on happiness tests can be accounted for by your gene pool (nature). The other half depends on what happens to you, how you react to it and the decisions you make in life (nurture).Interestingly, being wealthy isn’t what makes you unhappy despite the cliché of the unhappy rich.
Wealth has a surprisingly low correlation with happiness level. Rich people are, on average, only slightly happier than poor people.
Real income has risen dramatically in prosperous nations over the last 50 years but the level of life satisfaction has been entirely flat in most wealthy nations
Instead, James and Seligman posit that people who value money more than other goals are less satisfied with their lives as a whole.
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2 comments:
Your blog is very interesting and I will take a closer look when I have more time to read. Where I live (Waterloo, Belgium) the town has become a very "chic" suburb of Brussels a little like Bel Air in L.A. And what I found out is that very wealthy or rich people are mostly bored especially the women of course. Too much time, nothing to do only superficial occupations. Most of them suffer from depression and run from one therapist to another. I know quite a lot of them in my Fitness club. As I also suffered from depression in the past (not because of richness,lol) and therefore understand what they are talking about, I slowly became the fitness therapist,lol) It's a horrible desease and only one who went through this hell can understand it.
Interesting point on nature vs. nurture.
I guess all those people who shore themselves up with money and stuff aren't helping themselves at all.
No matter how much you acquire, if it's not what you truly need, then it won't do you any good.
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