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Why our brains love the ocean: Science explains what draws humans to the sea

19 July 2014

In the twenty-first century, however, the pursuit of happiness has become one of the most important means of judging our quality of life. ''Happiness is an aspiration of every human being,'' write John F. Helliwell, Richard Layard, and Jeffrey D. Sachs in the United Nations' World Happiness Report 2013, which ranks 156 countries by the level of happiness of their citizens. It's a vital goal: ''People who are emotionally happier, who have more satisfying lives, and who live in happier communities, are more likely both now and later to be healthy, productive, and socially connected. These benefits in turn flow more broadly to their families, workplaces, and communities, to the advantage of all.''

This article was published online by Salon on July 19, 2014
Link to article here

Related Publications
'World Happiness Report 2013', John F. Helliwell, Richard Layard and Jeffrey D. Sachs (Eds), 2nd Report from the Earth Institute, Columbia University, September 2013 Details

Related Links
Richard Layard webpage
Wellbeing Programme webpage
Happiness Research webpage

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