The paradox of unhappiness in societies with material well-being

An intriguing observation in the study of well-being is the apparent paradox of unhappiness in societies that, generally speaking, enjoy a high level of material well-being and technological advances.

Despite having many basic needs met and access to amenities, anxiety and other forms of emotional distress are still prevalent.

The Mismatch between Material Progress and Emotional Well-being

Anxiety, as a natural response, can become problematic and generate unhappiness regardless of favorable external circumstances.

Even in societies with a high degree of economic development and access to resources, many people experience constant anticipation of "what might happen" or live in a state of "constant alarm for no real reason."

This state of alertness and persistent worry generates significant wear and tear that affects physical and emotional health, and this internal unhappiness can persist even when objective material conditions are good.

This suggests that material well-being alone is no guarantee of happiness or absence of anxiety.

Factors Contributing to this Paradox

Several reasons may explain this disconnect:

• Hedonic Adaptation: People tend to quickly become accustomed to improvements in their material circumstances, so that the initial increase in happiness that these provide tends to diminish over time, returning to a baseline level of well-being.

• Social Comparison: In societies with high visibility of the lifestyles of others (often idealized through the media and social networks), social comparison can generate dissatisfaction and the feeling of not having enough, despite a good objective level of well-being.

• New Sources of Stress: Modern life, although comfortable in many aspects, also presents new sources of stress, such as information overload, pressure to constantly perform, job insecurity, or social disconnection.

• Neglect of Fundamental Psychological Needs: Sometimes the pursuit of material well-being can lead to neglecting other fundamental human needs for happiness, such as meaningful relationships, a sense of purpose, autonomy, or competence.

This paradox underscores the importance of addressing the internal, psychological factors that maintain anxiety and unhappiness, beyond simple external conditions.