Fortunately, happiness is something that can be nurtured. Research suggests that cultivating solid social relationships can help you feel happier and healthier. It can also provide a buffer against mental illness.
Happiness is a complex and elusive concept. Philosophers, theologians, and psychologists have struggled to define it. One branch of psychology, positive psychology, focuses on the pursuit of happiness.
It’s a state of mind
Happiness is a feeling of joy, contentment, and well-being. It is a positive emotional state that can be triggered by events or thoughts. It is also a state of mind that can be nurtured through positive activities, such as prioritizing relationships and exploring new experiences. Happiness is associated with a range of physical traits, including lower blood pressure and a stronger immune system.
Happiness has a long history in philosophy and theology. Jeremy Bentham believed that public policy should maximize happiness and Thomas Jefferson placed “the pursuit of happiness” on par with the right to life and liberty in the Declaration of Independence. Today, countries and organizations regularly measure the average happiness of their populations through surveys.
Although people often equate happiness with a sense of pleasure, researchers believe that there are multiple levels of happiness. People who focus exclusively on happiness level 1 (pleasure) risk reaching a point where their lives seem shallow and meaningless.
It’s a feeling
Happiness is an emotion that can be fickle. It can be present for weeks at a time and then vanish in an instant. It may even be triggered by something as simple as eating fresh food or sleeping. When happiness is experienced, it is often accompanied by feelings of pleasure and positivity. However, it is important to separate pleasure and happiness. The two can be mutually exclusive.
Happiness can be cultivated by practicing gratitude, eating healthily, and spending time with family and friends. Increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain can help create a feeling of well-being. Feelings of contentment and meaning can also boost happiness. These feelings have a number of health benefits, including better immune function and less inflammation. Taking these steps can help you achieve happiness for life.
It’s a choice
Whether you’re looking for happiness or just trying to keep it, you can use conscious choices. Rather than striving for external things that only provide short bursts of happiness, learn to derive joy from internal aspects, such as support from others, and community service.
Some of the quickest ways to sour your mood is by comparing yourself to others. Whether it’s on social media or in real life, this comparison can cause you to feel bad about yourself and lead to unhappiness. Instead, try to find ways to create positive feelings that last, such as enjoying small pleasures like a beautiful day or spending time with loved ones.
Often, people don’t have control over many of the factors that contribute to their happiness. They may have obligations that prevent them from feeling happy or they might be suffering from a mental health condition that makes it difficult to feel happy. Nonetheless, it’s important to recognize that happiness is a choice and that you can practice it every day.
It’s a way of life
People who feel happiest have learned to lean into uncertainty, embrace emotions (both positive and negative), and cultivate deep human connections. They also know that happiness is a journey, not a destination. If they are not happy one day, they do not try to force a smile or ignore their discomfort; instead, they focus on the things that make them happy.
For example, they make time for a daily ritual of giving compliments to friends and family members. They also try to make it a monthly habit to volunteer or engage in some other form of social service.
Many researchers have attempted to separate meaning from happiness by examining hedonic pleasures and goal fulfillment. However, happiness researcher Sonja Lyubomirsky argues that this distinction is not helpful and can lead to misleading conclusions. She says that hedonic and eudaimonic happiness are too closely linked to be separated in studies. Moreover, she believes that a life filled with meaningful pursuits and relationships can contribute to happiness as much as pleasure.