Happiness is like the weather. Some days are full of sunshine and others are just miserable. But overall those bright and shiny good days happen more often for some. And according to science, it really depends on your age. So if it feels like each day is hard and stressful, it gets better. It just takes time!
In a new study, researchers looked at the lives of 2000 people and found that the individuals who were between the ages of 25 and 34 were the least happy. The folks that enjoyed their lives the most were over 55.
Could it be the availability of free time, possibly? Most people in their 20s and 30s are still trying to establish a career and sometimes working more than one job. This is also the age group that is juggling a family and having babies. It is hard to find time to go kayaking or mountain climbing if you have an infant at home.
Researchers found that people over the age of 55 were more likely to engage in activities that they truly enjoyed. And they did these enjoyable activities at least 13 times a month. If you think about it, 13 times a month is a lot. I don’t even go out to eat at a restaurant 13 times a month. I would like to but it gets pricey and who has time for that. So definitely having more free time could contribute to being happy. This age group is also more likely to have grown children who don’t live at home. So again, being over the age of 55 means more free time. The older a person, the more life experience and with that comes wisdom and the realization that life is short and it is best to do what you want to do. In fact, data from the research shows adults start to feel happier and less worry at the age of 35.
A company called Galaxy Chocolate paid to have this study conducted. This company has a mission called ‘Choose Pleasure Mission’ and its goal is to encourage young people to choose things in life that bring happiness. A psychologist with the program said that younger people are finding it harder to be happy when compared with older generations. This study discovered that a Baby Boomer, when given a choice, is more likely to engage in activities that bring joy but an 18 to 34-year-old is more likely to put work first. Galaxy Chocolate is working to empower young adults to live a care-free lifestyle.