Research seems to suggest that each generation reports a lower sense of happiness and well-being than the generation preceding them. In the past, happiness and well-being was high in young adulthood, dipped some during middle age, and rose again in older adults. Now, it simply seems that each younger generation has a lower sense of happiness and well-being than the generation before them. In fact, Gen Z (those born between the mid-1990’s and 2012) reports the lowest well-being among all age groups at this time.

No one really knows why this has occurred. However, many have observed that the drop in well-being and happiness coincides with increasing economic struggles and related economic inequality as well as a media presence that constantly inundates us with negative news and information. It’s not surprising that a constant barrage of negative information might increase our sense of sadness as well. We need to intentionally search for good news.

In addition, the growth of on-line activity has made it more possible to avoid social interactions with others. We can shop on-line and have our groceries, our dinner, and all our other purchases delivered without ever interacting with another person, only our screens. Spending so much time on our screens for entertainment, purchasing, news gathering, exercise “class,” and random scrolling creates “a sort of social inertia” according to Jamil Zaki, a Standford Psychologist. On the other hand, face-to-face social connections are associated with greater happiness and well-being, they are the lifeblood of a satisfying life.

Ironically, viewing and interacting with our world through screens and the negative news we receive through those screens also nurtures certain assumptions. For instance, we begin to underestimate how friendly, open-minded, and trustworthy other people are. In fact, studies of Republican and Democrat perspectives of one another suggest that we often believe those “on the other side of the aisle” to be twice as hateful and four times more violent than they really are. Why would we want to interact with someone “across the aisle” if this is our belief? Unfortunately, this type of thinking only adds to our isolation, our aloneness, and, as a result, a decrease in happiness.

I don’t know about you, but I want something better for my children and family. I want them to experience a growing sense of happiness as they move into young adulthood, middle adulthood, and even older adulthood. How can we help this happen?

• Intentionally seek out good news items. You may not know it from the 6 o’clock news, but good things happen in the world around us every day. Seek out some good news to balance the negative news that fills up our screens. For instance, you might make it a daily habit to read The Good News Network or Uplifting Stories from BBC or the Positive News Foundation. Whatever you choose, allow yourself to recognize good news and share it with your family.
• Recognize that people really want to connect. Relationships are our lifeblood. Without connection, we die. Sounds gruesome, but relationships are our lifeblood. Fortunately, you will run into people every day who really want to connect. Take time to get to know them. To meet and befriend other people requires that you get out of the house and away from the screen. Go to the grocery store. Take regular walks in your neighborhood or the park. Let your children see you interacting with others. Let them hear you talk about the fun interactions you enjoy with another person.
• Recognize that many more people are open, empathic, and desiring of friendly interactions than the news would lead us to believe. People are complex. We have our differences, sure. However, under the surface of those differences we often find commonalities, common desires for a better life for ourselves and others, a desire for security, and a desire for connection, among others. Practice starting your interactions from those places of common ground, then discussing differences from a place of love and understanding. Let your children witness this as well. I loved this quote: “Cynical assumptions [about others] cause us to avoid the very social interactions that could make us happier…[but] when we overcome inertia and take a leap of faith on other people, pleasant surprises are everywhere.”

These practices require that we interact with others, “jump into the social waters.” Get involved in a community group. Meet for a book club. Go to worship. Actually shop at the grocery store or the convenience store…on a regular basis. Say hello to the cashiers. Walk through your neighborhood and meet the neighbors. Look for ways to meet and interact with others. Enjoy the “pleasant surprises everywhere.”