Unhappy? Blame your genes

Happy people may have their genetic make-up to thank more than environmental or social factors, according to research by the University of Edinburgh reported by Time.

It found that genes are the single biggest factor in determining personal happiness, accounting for 50% of the variation in people’s happiness levels.

The Scottish researchers studied the behaviour and genetic make up of 973 sets of adult twins and found that personality traits such as being sociable, active, stable, hardworking and conscientious tend to be genetically linked.

And, the researchers found, the genetic happiness lottery is a winner-take-all game – happiness traits generally come as a package, so that if you have one you’re likely to have them all.