Five encouraging facts about happiness… 

* Happiness helps your immune system fight back. 

Positive emotions don’t just feel good – they do good. A study in Psychosomatic Medicine found that people with a happier outlook were less likely to catch a cold after virus exposure. Smiling may be your cheapest health insurance. (Cohen et al., 2003)

* Hourly workers may be happier than salaried ones. 
A 2010 study found people paid by the hour tend to be more satisfied with their work. When time is money – literally – it may boost your sense of control and value. (DeVoe & Pfeffer, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin)

* Happiness reduces pain.
Positive emotions help people with chronic pain cope better. In one study, happier arthritis patients reported significantly less discomfort. (Zautra et al., 2005, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology)

* Happiness is catchy. 
According to a longitudinal study published in the British Medical Journal, happiness is contagious. If your friend is happy, your odds of being happy rise by 15%. (Fowler & Christakis, 2008)

* Happy people live longer. 
A long-running study from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that happier people had lower mortality rates – even when controlling for health, income, and age. (Diener & Chan, 2011)