GOOD LOOKS DON’T MAKE YOU HAPPY!

Research has found that people think attractiveness is the key to happiness, success and love. Time for a reality check from Emma

It isn’t surprising I that people think attractiveness is the key to happiness, a successful career and a fulfilling love life, when you consider the amount of money and attention people like the Kardashians receive. But, the truth is, looks have very little bearing on happiness. Mountains of research on what creates true and lasting happiness shows that it boils down to some pretty obvious things. Strong and close relationships take top billing, which makes perfect sense because it means that you are loved and supported. I understand why people assume that you’re more likely to find love if you are beautiful, but if that were the case, all of Hollywood would be in happy, secure relationships, instead of living car-crash love lives. Another big ingredient is autonomy and self-reliance, the confidence that you can trust and rely on yourself, so when things go wrong you know you will pick yourself up and carry on. Looks have nothing to do with resilience and attitude, which is another important foundation of happiness, because it means that you are willing to take risks and, in doing so, you automatically increase your likelihood of being successful – you have to be in it to win it, after all! Finally, positive thinking goes a long way to maintaining good vibes and that is 100 per cent within your control. Instead of thinking you will never be happy without flawless looks, understand that happiness is achievable as long as you are looking for it in the right places.