According to the researchers, the level of the happiness is not limited by the genes and early life experiences. The new study challenges the age-old belief that genetics and upbringing predetermine the feelings of satisfaction.

For the study, the researchers examined the data of as many as 60,000 Germans for around 25 years.

They noticed that external factors like healthy lifestyle, religious conviction, the amount of working hours play an important role in determining the feelings of happiness and well-being of a person.

The researchers also found that maximum people in spite of major life events wanted to have good relationship, lead a healthy life, and be happy.

Majority of the participants said that the set-point theory has certain imperfections and also reported permanent and considerable changes in satisfaction or happiness.

Working for a very few hours may not lead to happiness, but working less or more than the stipulated time can certainly lead to unhappiness in people.

The lead researcher of the study Bruce Headey of the Melbourne Institute said, "It appears that prioritising success and material goals is actually harmful to life satisfaction".

In the study, it was also found that obesity has direct linkage with unhappiness, particularly for women.