The euphoria of getting a great job, winning the lottery, or landing that dream date wears off quickly. Happiness is an emotion, and as such it has no objective permanence.
That’s why researchers use subjective well-being (SWB) to measure happiness. A quick scan of two psychology databases shows that SWB has become the new shorthand for happiness in the literature.
1. It keeps you on the road
Despite the bumper-sticker cliches and pop-culture platitudes, happiness is one of the less studied human emotions. Medicine’s penchant for problem-solving means that most researchers tend to focus on the causes and treatments of gloomier sentiments, like sadness and anxiety.
Happiness, on the other hand, is an open road you can learn to navigate and own for yourself. While money and other superficial things can temporarily boost happiness, it is important to remember that happiness is not a goal or a finish line.
Instead, try to pause and appreciate the good things in your life. It is even more effective to do it with friends: Research shows that positive emotions are contagious and spreading happiness can help keep you on the right track. It’s even a safe bet that happier people make safer drivers, too.
2. It keeps you safe
Happiness enables people to feel confident that they can handle any situation. That sense of safety helps them to avoid chronic stress that may be less obvious than acute stress, but causes unhappiness and even ill health over time.
Career security also factors into happiness. A person who knows they have a good job and that it will pay the bills each month can focus on their work without worrying about getting fired or losing their health insurance.
Compensation may not seem like a safety issue, but when people are unhappy with their jobs they’re more likely to find it elsewhere, leaving a team short-staffed or under-prepared for danger. That’s another reason making worker happiness the centerpiece of a safety strategy makes sense.
3. It helps you save money
A recent study found that people who regularly spend on things that make them happy, like books or trips to museums, report greater happiness over the long-term than those who do not. This is especially true for Millennials and Gen Z.
Happiness can also be a result of intentional spending, which involves aligning choices with values and priorities. Rather than mindlessly consuming (unnecessary subscriptions, uncomfortable trendy shoes or the latest kitchen gadget everyone seems to have), think about how each purchase will advance your goals and contribute to happiness.
Lastly, saving money has a direct link to happiness. Research shows that having money saved provides a sense of security, similar to the feeling you get from a good workout or on-time bill payment. Try setting up a savings account with a monthly automatic transfer and see how it affects your happiness.
4. It helps you get a good night’s sleep
When it comes to achieving a good night’s sleep, happiness is key. In fact, it was more important to people than a car parking space at the end of a long day, getting a compliment or even having overdue debts in a recent survey by BPme.
When a person’s happiness is consistently positive, they tend to get more and better quality sleep. However, when a person’s happiness is variable in reaction to daily ups and downs they can end up struggling with sleep issues.
Happiness also helps you to get through the stress of life. When diabolically cruel researchers stressed out psychology students, those who rated themselves highest for happy feelings had the quickest and most healthy heart recovery patterns. This finding that happiness adds to health opens up new ways for health promotion and preventive healthcare.
5. It helps you stay healthy
Research shows that happiness can boost your immune system. You might notice that people who are happy seem to get fewer colds and chest infections than those who aren’t happy. It could also help prevent more serious illnesses such as heart disease, according to one study that asked participants to rate their levels of happiness several times throughout the day and then report if they’d suffered from any health issues.
To increase your level of happiness, try exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet. You can also express gratitude by writing down the things you’re thankful for each day and spending time with loved ones. Volunteering is another great way to increase happiness. It can improve your mood, as well as connect you with others (Troyer, 2016). You can also find happiness by reliving the moments that made you smile as a child or young adult through hobbies, games, and sports.