At what age are we happiest?

This is a question that many of us ask ourselves, especially when we go through difficult times or feel dissatisfied with our lives. 

Happiness is a complex and subjective concept, which depends on many personal, social and cultural factors. However, some studies have attempted to measure people's happiness throughout their life cycle, and have found some interesting trends.

At what age are we happiest?

One of these studies is the one carried out by the University of Chicago, which since 1972 has conducted an annual survey of more than 50,000 Americans about various aspects of their lives, including their level of happiness. The results show that happiness is not constant or linear, but is U-shaped: people are happier at the ends of their lives, and less happy in the middle.

According to this study, the lowest point of happiness is reached around age 50, and then it gradually recovers until it exceeds the initial level. This means that people over 65 years old are happier than those 30 or 40 years old, and than those 18 or 20 years old. What is this phenomenon due to?

Researchers have proposed several possible explanations. One of them is that older people have greater wisdom and acceptance of themselves and life, which allows them to enjoy the present more and value what they have. Another is that older people have fewer social expectations and pressures, which reduces their stress and frustration. A third is that older people have more free time and economic resources, which allows them to dedicate themselves to pleasant and meaningful activities.

Of course, these are generalizations that do not apply to all cases. There are people who are happier in their youth or adulthood, and there are people who suffer from health problems, loneliness or poverty in their old age. Happiness is a subjective and changing state, which depends on how we feel about ourselves and our environment.

The important thing is to know that happiness does not have a certain age, but rather it can be found at any stage of life. What we can do is adopt habits and attitudes that help us be happier, such as taking care of our physical and mental health, cultivating positive relationships, expressing our gratitude, having a vital purpose, learning new things and enjoying the moment.