You can take a number of steps to fill your happiness tank. These include practicing mindfulness and strengthening your core values. In addition, you can also work on reducing negative thoughts and embracing reality.
The problem with this approach is that happiness is an elusive feeling that is difficult to measure. It is also subjective, and people may disagree on what constitutes happiness.
It’s a feeling
Happiness can feel like an elusive goal. It can seem like the end-goal of life (if I just “be happy”) or a way to escape pain of the moment (“if only I could stop feeling sad”).
In psychology, happiness is defined as a positive emotion that involves feelings of contentment, joy, and satisfaction. It is also a sense of life satisfaction that can be triggered by positive events or thoughts. Whether happiness is a feeling or an emotion, it has long been regarded as one of the most desirable emotions.
Outside the scientific world, people often distinguish two different senses of happiness: hedonia (pleasure) and eudaimonia (meaning). Pleasure can contribute to both happiness and meaning, but it is generally thought that they are distinct. Moreover, meaning is more enduring than pleasure. It is the feeling that you get when you hear your child’s laugh or cuddle a puppy. It is that warm, fuzzy feeling that connects us to others and heightens our sense of well-being.
It’s a state
Happiness is a state of emotional well-being that can range from contentment to intense joy. It can be triggered by positive life experiences or thoughts, or it may arise spontaneously. It is an emotion, so it can only exist at one moment in time, but it can be cultivated and sustained.
Some people are naturally cheerful, but others struggle to be happy. They may find it hard to cultivate happiness, even if they have good relationships and other sources of happiness. They might also have a temperament that makes them more likely to experience gloomy moods, so it’s important to address this as well.
Some theories of happiness, like the Aristotelians’ eudaimonia, argue that only a life of virtuous activities can constitute a happy life. These theories tend to be narrow, focusing on the pleasures that we get out of our lives and ignoring other forms of value, like achievement or knowledge. This approach has some serious objections.
It’s a goal
Happiness is a global pursuit, with people from all over the world rating it higher than other desirable personal outcomes. Research shows that happy people are more sociable and cooperative, and are healthier and wealthier than unhappy people. They also have better relationships and live longer.
Some people think that happiness is a goal that can be achieved through major life events, such as getting married or buying that dream car. However, the happiness from such experiences will wane over time. People will become accustomed to their new lifestyle, and once the high from such achievements wears off, they’ll be looking for the next thing that will make them feel good.
Instead of chasing happiness through extrinsic goals, it’s important to seek out activities that will provide intrinsic pleasure and lead to long-term life satisfaction. This includes leaving your comfort zone, building confidence, and developing healthy relationships. The key is to start small and work these goals into your daily routine until they become habits.
It’s a fuel
When you are happy, you can accomplish any task. Happiness is like a fuel that you use to drive your life forward. When you have it, you can focus on what’s important and work toward your goals. When you don’t have it, you may become distracted by worries and a self-defeating belief that you can never have enough.
The key to happiness is finding pleasure in the things that you already have. You can find joy in the most simple things, such as a sunny day, your pet’s loving gaze, or a delicious meal. You can also find pleasure by focusing on your strengths. Often, it’s just a matter of scheduling your time differently. For example, you might spend the whole weekend on tasks that give you a feeling of accomplishment, rather than trying to fit everything into one day.
Many people think that happiness is a reward they can only enjoy after achieving success. However, this is a false belief. It’s true that you can experience happiness even while working towards your goals, but you must make a conscious effort to do so.