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Keys to Happiness Quiz

Find out what you can do to boost your well-being

Elise Oberliesen and Michelle Crouch

Updated June 28, 2023

En español

Published May 12, 2021

/ Updated June 28, 2023

8 Questions

26150ca7-9102-4147-9a22-e8f03f87a396

Keys to Happiness Quiz

[ {
  "question" : "What health benefits do you get from owning a pet?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Higher tolerance for pain",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Lower stress levels",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "Improved problem-solving skills",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Better time management ability",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Pet owners typically have lower blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides. When they cuddle or play with their dogs or cats, studies show that their bodies release oxytocin, the same hormone that helps mothers bond with their babies and increases affection between lovers.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "What health benefits do you get from owning a pet?",
  "questionImgCredit" : "Stephen Welstead/LWA/Corbis"
}, {
  "question" : "When you hear a favorite tune, what effect does it have on your brain?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Positive memories and emotions are stimulated",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Brain activity occurs in multiple regions",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Anxiousness and agitation decrease",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "All of the above",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Music activates many regions of the brain, including those associated with emotion and memory. Research also shows that music can release brain chemicals such as dopamine, which is linked to feelings of pleasure. And there is evidence that music can help lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Having sex is linked with happiness. According to research, how often do the happiest couples have sex?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Twice a week",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Once a week",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "Once a month",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Whenever the mood strikes them",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "A study published in \"Social Psychological and Personality Science\", which surveyed more than 30,000 Americans over age 40, discovered that couples who had sex more than once a week didn’t report being any happier, and those who had sex less often reported a lower sense of well-being.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "What physical changes happen in the body when you laugh?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Core engages, blood pressure spikes, endorphin and oxygen levels increase",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "Blood pressure and heart rate decrease",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Belly fat hormones increase",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Pain tolerance decreases",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "After laughing, blood pressure and heart rate temporarily spike, then drop — a response that stimulates deep breathing, followed by a mellow, relaxed state. One study found that laughter engaged oblique muscles (your sides) as much as or more than crunches and back lifts did.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "How can regular physical activity make you happier?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "It reduces stress and depression",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "It promotes mood enhancement over time",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "It improves memory",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "All of the above",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Even 10 minutes of physical activity can boost your mood, according to a 2018 review of 23 studies. Other research has found links between exercise and improved memory.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "At what age do we tend to feel the least depressed?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "43",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "59",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "62",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "65+",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "In a January 2020 paper, researchers looked at surveys of happiness in 132 countries and found people had a steady increase in happiness as they move into their later years.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "What does research tell us about genetics and happiness?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "We are genetically predisposed to be happy or unhappy",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Your environment is what matters when it comes to happiness",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Neither makes a difference",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "It’s a combination of genetics and environment",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Although genetic differences account for 30-40 percent of the variation we see in happiness propensity, the remainder is attributed to environmental influences, according to a 2022 World Happiness Report. ",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Based on research, which of these is true about social activities and happiness:",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "The happiest people interact with friends at least six hours a day",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Happiness is increased with each happy friend added to a social circle",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Social interaction is linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "All of the above",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Studies show that happiness is tied to friends and social networks — and those with happy friends tend to be happier. Research ties being socially engaged to healthy mental functioning and improved memory as people age.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
} ]

Quiz Progress

0 Correct

0 Incorrect