The Science of Happiness

I had the pleasure of introducing Dr. Steven Mills at our Rotary Club of Tallahassee meeting on Aug. 17, 2016.  Steven Mills is Associate Director of FSU’s Center for Leadership and Social Change.  His encouraging lecture covered “The Science of Happiness,” in which he provided us with positive and negative things that strongly impact happiness.

Developing faith, being kind and giving to others, doing meaningful work, and practicing gratitude are all things that strongly impact happiness in a positive way.

Losing a spouse, being unemployed, and the long-term care of a sick relative are things that strongly impact happiness in a negative way.

“Money only brings happiness when it brings us up from impoverished deprivation to a basic subsistence level.”

Dr. Mills points out happiness and work. “People are happy at work to the extent that they are ‘engaged’ or meaningfully present.”

He also stated that twin studies suggest that happiness is strongly influenced by our genes.  We tend to return to our happiness set-point after good or bad dramatic events.

Mills has a Ph.D. from Purdue University and is a licensed mental health professional, and has an avid interest in human development.  He has lived in our area since 1999, and can think of nothing more beautiful than a spring-fed river on a bright, North Florida day!

-Kaye Kendrick