Talk your way to happiness

March 8, 2010

A little less chit chat and a lot more substantive conversating could make you a happier person, says new research published in Psychological Science.

Volunteers in the study wore a special device that recorded audio snippets of their day-to-day lives over a period of four days and also completed well-being assessments. The psychologists then analyzed their recorded conversations and identified them as either small talk or substantive conversations.

The happiest people spent 25% less time alone and 70% more time talking than the unhappiest participants. They also had twice as many substantive conversations and one third as much small talk as the unhappiest people. 

All of this suggests that a happy life is social and full of soul-baring conversations.

So deep conversations are key, not superficial. But I’m confused — how is it then that the girls on The Hills seem to be so happy? I see a whole new case study for these researchers. 🙂

Filed under: Healthy Swellness,Swellbeing

Tags: happiness, talk, The Hills