Three Things That Money Cannot Buy -THE KEY TO HAPPINESS?

"On average," says the Narcissism Epidemic,  "materialistic people are less happy and more depressed.  Even people who simply aspire to have more money suffer from poor mental health;   the also report more physical health problems such as sore throats, backaches, and headaches and more likely to drink too much alcohol and use illegal drugs.  Striving for financial success, apparently, makes people miserable."

A "Shift in Values" 

"When asked about reasons for going to college during the 1960's  and early seventies, most students placed the highest value on 'becoming an educated person' or 'developing a philosophy of life.'  A minority  deemed 'making a lot of money' has become the most important reason to go to college . . . This shift in values among college students take place at the same time that rates of depression, suicide, and other psychological problems have risen dramatically among this group." - The Price of Privilege, by Dr. Madeline Levine. 

"Retail Therapy"

According to Dr. Madeline Levine, spending can become "retail therapy" that gives people a measure of comfort in a world where family, community,  and church have failed them.  "Shopping is one way to control our environment," she writes in the Price of Privilege.  "It puts us in charge of transactions and confers a sense of power on the buyer.  This type of power is illusory . . . The real power is being exerted by large corporations  and their advertisers, who are paid to suggest that consumer goods confer magical and protective powers on buyers." 

Next time: What You Should Know About Epilepsy

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