DNA’s impacts our Aging and Health but Happiness too?

We all know that DNA determines the way we look, the way we age, the health challenges we may face, and now according to Researchers from the University of Edinburgh, UK and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Brisbane, Australia also say our happiness factor may be determined by our DNA. 

The researchers tested the personalities and well being of 973 twins. Most identical twins, whose genes are exactly the same, have very similar characteristics and are equally satisfied with their lives. Only half of the fraternal twins, twins who were born at the same time but have different genes, have similar characteristics to their siblings. The study concluded that genes affect our personality traits, and they, in turn, have an effect on our happiness.

Relationships are key to happiness.

People who were born with depressive genes need not worry, however, because about half of our happiness does come from external factors such as relationships, health and lifestyle. Everyone has a threshold for happiness, and those who have a lower threshold often stay positive in the face of adversity. This means that if you set your threshold or expectations about life lower, you will feel better. People who are calm, outgoing and reliable also tend to be better off. These characteristics help build a reserve of happiness that we can utilize during hard times. A researcher remarks that in the long term, your friends will make you more content than income, so work on your relationships to be a happier person.