Regarding Statistics from my friend SST

Just my opinion - (and I don't want to be contrary but...)

First, an interesting article, but it actually seems to overstate the argument for decreasing happiness being made by the accompanying graphs.  The statistical portion on the graph labeled "decreased happiness" is fractional; it goes from the peak of about 2.24 in 1972 down to about 2.175 in 2008.  That is on a scale of 1-3, and there is always a margin of error in such surveys and polls.  (As my husband says, "Beware of polls and numbers because the people behind them can make them say pretty much whatever they want them to say" or "These are lies, damned lies and statistics").  So, I'm not sure that I'm buying what this author is selling!

Now, on a more personal level, I think that we all, men and women, experience highs and lows in life and some people seem to have more ups and downs than others.  Some of us have had more lows than highs in recent years (or at least it sometimes feels like that), and that is just not fun.   Some people also seem to deal with their lows better than others.  After crying and feeling sad and crying on the shoulders of family and friends, I generally try to cope by getting up and getting busy, being employed, cleaning out closets, visit teaching, extra service for others, etc.  I also feel free to indulge myself and lift my spirits by eating ice cream and reading "happy endings" books!  And sometimes I just follow the example of Scarlett and choose to "think about it tomorrow!".

One other thing that I know is helpful is regular exercise (although I've been not heeding this counsel myself for the past six months).