Online Social Networks Can Make You a Happier Healthier Person

Happiness is an important component of health. Recent studies found that happiness spreads through social networks, including online networks. Networking with positive, passionate people therefore can have a particularly beneficial effect on your happiness and ultimately health. The World Health Organization considers happiness to be an important component of health. Happy, optimistic people not only live 8 years longer on average, but they also are healthier. Researchers have identified many of the factors that stimulate happiness (or unhappiness); however – until recently - none of these studies addressed another cause of human happiness…how the happiness and friendliness of one person influences another’s emotional state. That “communicated happiness” is a significant phenomenon that can be observed every day. For example in a store, when you are greeted with a friendly smile, you are far more inclined to smile back, and above all to make a purchase. The afterglow of such an ephemeral encounter even has the potential to brighten your whole day. n nEven more fundamental, a study by the Harvard Medical School and the University of California, San Diego, published in December in BMJ (BMJ 2008;337:a233) suggests that happiness can spread from person to person within a social network and extends up to three degrees of separation (friends of a friend’s friend). People can "catch" positive emotional states they observe in others over time frames ranging from seconds to weeks. Examination of social networks indicates that “happy people” tend to be connected to one another; and the more happy friends you have, the greater your own chance for happiness. The study, following 4’739 persons over 20 years, concluded that the happiness displayed by someone else during a social contact actually increases by 15% the likelihood of feeling happy oneself! This proves the adage that “Happiness really is contagious”. Additionally, second-degree contact with a happy person (the friend of a friend) increases the likeliness of increased happiness by 10% and third-degree contact by 6%. There was no impact on fourth-degree contacts. Contrary to what one might think, social interaction with an unhappy friend has little or no impact on one’s own happiness. The researchers then went on to examine whether the same was true for online social networks. Following a sample of 1700 students active on Facebook, they found that despite that the interactions took place virtually, our ancient evolutionary psychology apparently does not make a distinction; online social networks seem to spread happiness the same way as do their offline counterparts. From these observations, it’s only a small step to suggest that networking with people who feel passionately positive about any particular subject will be even more beneficial than just networking in general. That’s because, by definition, such individuals will almost certainly better transmit their own happiness and enthusiasm to others. Taking antique or art object collecting as an example, by its very nature, it’s an extraverted, positive social experience. Collectors love to share their passion and explain the stories behind their favorite collectors’ items. Interestingly, one of the newest social networks online is atQuid, a community for antiques, art and vintage object enthusiasts. atQuid is one of the very few antique and collectors Websites, perhaps the only one, to combine the informational aspects about all types of antiques, art objects and vintage items, with networking and social exchange. The website is still in its infancy but has the potential to become an important player in its area.nnatQuid offers interactive features such as those on YouTube, and networking tools such as those on LinkedIn, Plaxo or Facebook. It allows members to build meaningful social exchange and to network, sharing their passion with fellow members. The content is user generated and membership is free. Connect with others out there, smile, be happy and make others happy too.