At What Age Are We Happiest?

Spoiler: definitely not in my youth

There are many books, films and songs devoted to the topic of happiness. Everyone strives for it, and everyone wants to achieve it. We look at others who are more successful, more beautiful, more positive, and we think – they are definitely happier than me. But are these people really happy? And what is “happiness”? How to catch this state, and is it true that it comes only with age? A study from the University of California showed that happiness is the biggest paradox of our lives. And that’s why.

“The Aging Paradox”

As a result of the study, 1,500 adults aged 21 to 100 were interviewed. Scientists were interested in all aspects of their health, both physical and mental.

The result was amazing: the older we get, the happier we become. In this context, researchers speak of the “paradox of aging.” As we age, many of us experience greater satisfaction in life than when we were younger.

The best example of this is the American style icon Iris Apfel, who at 97 blew up the Internet and became not just an influencer with 1 million followers on Instagram, but also a top model, signing a contract with the agency IMG, in which, for example, such stars as Karlie Kloss and Lara Stone work.

Happier with Age

According to the study, the most seemingly fulfilling and promising years – from 20 to 30 years – in reality are not the happiest. At this age, we do not take failure well, we are full of doubts, and many suffer from mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety disorders. As the reason, scientists cite the uncertainty of the future, which torments many young people at this age. Also, many anxieties appear as a result of our own decisions: work, moving, love – we are not always sure of them in our youth.

No, sociologists have not calculated the happiest age – this is too individual, but they did draw one exact conclusion from this study: at any age, you can enjoy life without questioning every decision. Trust yourself, listen to yourself, because to make mistakes is what it means to live. And your mistakes and your years are your wealth, which makes you happier every year.

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