Twenty first century science provides new tools that allow us to look inside the human brain and body in real time.

New research is discovering how our mind and body really works.

One of the most interesting results is that happiness drives better health, success in all areas of life, and even how long we live.

The importance of happiness starts with pregnancy and continues through early childhood and adolescence - unhappiness during this period can seriously reduce a child's chances of living a happy, successful and fulfilling life.

Our quest for happiness is more important than previously thought.

Twentieth century ‘wisdom’ told us that striving for success would bring us happiness.

This built a work ethic that increased chronic stress to the highest levels in history and made us increasingly unhappy.

Twenty first century science confirms that stressing yourself to become successful may well lead to failure, possible illness, and even an early death.

The truth is that happiness drives success.

Happy people are more successful (Lyubomirsky, 2005). They make better decisions (Llewellyn, 2008). They earn more (Diener & Biswas-Diener, 2002), they enjoy better mental health (Koivumaa-Honkanen, 2004) and better marriages (Mastekaasa, 1994).

Happy people generally have more positive perceptions of themselves and others, are more sociable, active, likeable and cooperative, are better at solving problems, have higher energy levels and show increased creativity.

They cope better with stress, are better negotiators and are better at conflict resolution. Happy people are better and more efficient decision makers. (Lyubomirsky, 2005).

It is human nature to seek and enjoy success and to want greater well being, satisfaction and meaning in life.

Happy people enjoy better mental and physical health. They are less likely to suffer from anxiety, social phobias, and depression and are better at coping with stress and bouncing back from adversity (Steptoe, 2005).

Happy people report better health and fewer unpleasant physical symptoms, and take fewer days off work for health problems. Happy people are relatively more energetic and more likely to engage in physical exercise.

Happy people have lower blood pressure and a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease, and heal and recover from surgery faster.

They are less likely to engage in harmful and unhealthy behaviors including smoking, unhealthy eating, drug and alcohol abuse, and risky sexual behavior.

Happy people have stronger immune function that protects against colds and flu and provides increased resistance to infection (Lyubomirsky, 2005, Fredrickson, 2005, Cohen 2006).

Sick people that are happier are more compliant with treatment. They experience less pain (Cousins, 1976, Fredrickson, 2005). Happiness can slow disease progression and reduce mortality in a wide range of conditions including chronic heart disease (Ader, 2007), cancer (Chida, 2010) and HIV/AIDS (Moskowitz, 2003).

Studies confirm that happy people survive longer after serious illness. Happier patients with end-stage renal disease survive longer. Women with breast cancer recurrence who report joy are more likely to survive. Happier spinal cord injury patients live longer. Optimistic men are less likely to die of coronary heart disease. (Lyubomirsky, 2005).

Happy people live longer (Koivumaa-Honkanen, 2000).

The connection between happiness and longevity has been confirmed in studies around the world, with happier people shown to live from 7 to 12 years longer that their unhappier peers.

All-cause death rates for happy people are lower. Lower death rates are seen from causes ranging from traffic accidents to cancer, and from HIV to suicides (Fredrickson, 2005).

A study of the lives of 180 Catholic nuns in convents showed that their happiness levels when young (average 22 years old) accurately predicted how long they lived. The happiest 25% of these nuns lived almost 11 years longer than the least happy quarter (Danner, 2001).

European research into 28 studies on happiness and longevity showed that happiness predicts longevity among healthy populations. Happiness extended life the same amount as not smoking (Veenhoven, 2008).

A Yale study of 660 seniors confirmed that happier people lived 7.5 years longer.

The desire to live longer has fascinated us since the beginning of time. At last we have found a proven, natural way to add seven, ten or perhaps even more happy healthy years to our lives.

Our mission is to make the world a happier place.