By Steve Taylor Ph.D
Consequently, it comes as a shock for
many people to learn that there is no straightforward relationship
between wealth and well-being. Once our basic material needs are
satisfied (i.e. once we’re assured of regular food and adequate shelter
and a basic degree of financial security), wealth only has a negligible
effect on well-being.
Studies have shown that American and
British people are less contented now than they were 50 years ago,
although their material wealth is much higher. On an international
level, there does appear to some correlation between wealth and
well-being, partly because there are many countries in the world where
people’s basic material needs are not satisfied. But this correlation is
not a straightforward one, since wealthier countries tend to be more
politically stable, more peaceful and democratic, with less oppression
and more freedom – all of which are themselves important factors in
well-being.
So why do we put so much effort into
acquiring wealth and material goods? You could compare it to a man who
keeps knocking at a door, even though he’s been told that the person
he’s looking for isn’t at home. ‘But he must be in there!” he shouts,
and barges in to explore the house. He storms out again, but returns to
the house a couple of minutes later, to knock again. Seeking well-being
through material success is just as irrational as this.
Well-Being Through Giving
If anything, it appears that there is a relationship between non-materialism
and well-being. While possessing wealth and material goods doesn’t lead
to happiness, giving them away actually does. Generosity is strongly
associated with well-being. For example, studies of people who practise
volunteering have shown that they have better psychological and mental
health and increased longevity. The benefits of volunteering have been
found to be greater than taking up exercise, or attending religious
services – in fact, even greater than giving up smoking.
Another
study found that, when people were given a sum of money, they gained
more well-being if they spent it on other people, or gave it away,
rather than spending it on themselves. This sense of well-being is more
than just feeling good about ourselves – it comes from a powerful sense
of connection to others, an empathic and compassionate transcendence of
separateness, and of our own self-centredness.
In fact, paradoxically, another study has shown that this is one way in which money actually can
bring happiness: if you give away the money you earn. This research –
by Dunn, Gilbert and Wilson – also showed that money is more likely to
bring happiness is you spend it on experiences, rather than material
goods. (1) Another study (by Joseph Chancellor and Sonja Lyubomirsky)
has suggested that consciously living a lifestyle of ‘strategic
under-consumption’ (or thrift) can also lead to well-being. (2)
So if you really want enhance your
well-being – and as long as your basic material needs are satisfied –
don’t try to accumulate money in your bank account, and don’t treat
yourself to material goods you don’t really need. Be more generous and
altruistic – increase the amount of money you give to people in need,
give more of your time to volunteering, or spend more time helping other
people, or behaving more kindly to everyone around you. Ignore the
‘happiness means consumption’ messages we’re bombarded with by the
media.
A lifestyle of generosity and
under-consumption may not suit the needs of economists and politicians —
but it will certainly make us happier.
We would do well to heed the words of the American Indian, Ohiyesa, speaking of his Sioux people:
References:‘It was our belief that the love of possessions is a weakness to be overcome. Its appeal is to the material part, and if allowed its way, it will in time disturb one’s spiritual balance. Therefore, children must early learn the beauty of generosity. They are taught to give what they prize most, that they may taste the happiness of giving.’
- (1) http://www.wjh.harvard.edu/~dtg/DUNN%20GILBERT%20&%20WILSON%20(2011).pdf
- (2) http://sonjalyubomirsky.com/files/2012/09/CLinpress.pdf
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