According to the American Psychological Association (APA), happiness is a state of emotional well-being involving feelings of pleasure, joy, contentment, and satisfaction.
It’s a complex topic, and people have different ways of defining it. But psychologists generally agree that it’s a positive emotion and life evaluation.
1. It Keeps You Going
A full tank of happiness means you’re more likely to achieve your goals and stay motivated. That’s why it’s important to treat yourself every once in a while.
It can also help to celebrate small wins or milestones, like reaching a new fitness goal or finishing an assignment. It’s easy to forget that it’s a good idea to take regular breaks, whether it’s to go for a walk or grab a snack.
Researchers have found that happier people tend to have stronger immune systems, which can protect them from getting sick. In one experiment, 350 adults were given the cold virus and kept in quarantine for five days.
2. It Keeps You Safe
It’s no secret that a happy worker is a safe worker. A recent study from the University of California Berkeley found that happy employees were far less likely to be the subject of workplace accidents than their unhappy counterparts, which in turn led to more productive and efficient workers as well. Happier employees are also more apt to show up for work in the first place and that makes them more likely to stay around for a while.
While the science behind how and why a happy employee can improve safety is still a bit of a mystery, we know that happiness has a few key pillars in its corner: compensation, leadership, and communication are all key. The key is in combining those factors into a cohesive strategy.
3. It Keeps You Healthy
It may sound like an obvious thing to say, but happiness does help keep you healthy. It reduces stress, improves sleep and helps you maintain a healthy weight.
Happiness is also linked to a strong immune system, which can help you avoid illnesses. In fact, a study showed that people who were happy more often were less likely to catch a cold.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University, US asked participants to rate their feelings on nine positive emotions over a two-week period. They then compared their blood lipids to those of people who were frequently happy and found that the happier people had healthier lipid profiles.
4. It Keeps You Moving
When it comes to happiness, science can’t always tell you what will make you happy. But it can help you find ways to boost your happiness quotient.
The latest study from the University of Cambridge in England found that a little movement makes for a more positive mood. The study surveyed 2,231 adults and found that after an average of 30 minutes of walking per day, participants were more likely to smile or laugh.
For example, a little exercise can produce the fanciest elixir of life by stimulating the production of endorphins, the feel-good chemical. It also helps you sleep better and reduces your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The best part is that it doesn’t take much. Just 20 minutes of exercise can improve your quality of life and keep you looking and feeling younger.
5. It Keeps You Connected
During the pandemic, many people struggle to find connection with others. However, you can stay connected by practicing kindness and compassion. This can be as simple as smiling at a stranger or going out of your way to help a friend in need. It’s a way to connect with your strengths and build on them, which can lead to a greater sense of happiness. It also helps you to attract more quality relationships, which will make your life even happier!
Overall, a meta-analysis found that nature connectedness is associated with feelings of happiness. This effect size is similar to other social-psychological measures, such as conscientiousness and agreeableness. So, the next time you feel drained or are feeling low, check in with your “social fuel tank” and remember that you can always do more to keep it full!