Marriage and happiness are intertwined, as research shows that married people tend to be happier on average. However, it is uncertain whether marriage causes happiness or happy people are more likely to get married. Longitudinal studies indicate that people do experience a boost in happiness when they get married, but this boost tends to last for only two years on average. This phenomenon is attributed to hedonic adaptation, where individuals adapt to changes over time.
Liz Dunn is a regular guest on The Happiness Lab, but in this extended interview with TED's Chris Anderson she take us on a deep dive into her research. It shows that by increasing our generosity and by giving to others we can significantly boost our own happiness.
Listen to more episodes of The TED Interview wherever you get your podcasts.
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