What the happiness researchers said when they sat down togetherWhat Can We Learn About Happiness From the People Who Study It?

Thirteen psychologists who study happiness pooled 600 years of experience for a look back, and concluded that relationships matter most and money only up to a point.

The researchers who study happiness held a reunion of sorts. Thirteen pioneers (plus a few family members) brought a combined 600 years of experience and concluded that personal relationships contribute most to a happy life.

Money matters too, but only up to meeting basic needs; beyond that the returns diminish. What I liked better was another number: only about 10 percent of disposition is down to life circumstances, and as much as 40 percent to how you choose to spend your time.

So there is still hope for the naturally gloomy.