The secret to happiness

Morning light streaming through crabapple tree

The idea that we can buy things to make us happy is soundly refuted in a short video clip, "The high price of materialism".  Commercialization and consumerism comes at a high price to people and to the planet.

It was noted that materialistic values are inversely related to pro social values.

To reduce materialistic values it was recommended that when people feel insecure or stressed, rather than buying something they go for a walk or volunteer to help someone else.  Not watching television or other media that is filled with advertising also can help to reduce the daily bombardment of commercials.

Finally, developing intrinsic values also helps people develop something of an immunization to materialistic values.