Just like a car, you should always keep your happiness tank full. Happiness improves your life in many ways – it brings physical and psychological health benefits, helps you achieve more at work and makes for deeper relationships.
Happiness is a difficult emotion to pin down. It is hard to measure and people from around the world have very different ideas about what it means to be happy.
1. It Keeps You Going
Sadly, happiness is often marketed as an end goal in and of itself: Buy X, learn Y, lose 10 pounds and you’ll be happy. But the good news is that more than half of happiness is actually under our control.
That means you can be happier with small tweaks to your daily routine. For example, studies show that people are more satisfied with their lives when they have a regular exercise routine, sleep well and maintain an organized home.
Another simple way to increase your happiness is by cultivating relationships. Research shows that social support is linked to higher levels of positive emotions. Nurturing a few close, positive-minded friends will boost your mood and give you the energy to keep going when things get tough. Try to catch up with your pals once a week or make an effort to reach out to someone each day. You’ll reap the rewards for years to come. (50)
2. It Saves You Money
The famous phrase “money can’t buy happiness” may have been disproven by science, but research does suggest that once your basic needs are met, additional disposable income has a limited impact on your life’s satisfaction. Instead, happiness comes from healthy relationships, purposeful work and other experiences that connect you to your community and the wider world.
Happiness is personal, and every person’s definition of it differs. Close family relationships, for example, can bring deep satisfaction for one individual, while volunteering or giving to others can make another feel most happy. Regardless of your specific happiness criteria, research suggests that being generous with money leads to greater happiness and well-being, and there are some simple ways to start saving.
Try setting up a separate savings account and moving any spare cash you have into it immediately after payday using a direct debit. That way you can build up a solid emergency fund without feeling the pinch.
3. It Keeps You Safe
Happiness bolsters a person’s ability to see, perceive and solve problems. It helps people notice hazards that others may miss, and it gives them the resilience to overcome obstacles on the job. People who feel good are also more likely to follow safety procedures.
A positive outlook helps people better cope with stress, which can increase blood pressure and lead to heart attacks or strokes. Studies show that happier people are 35% less likely to die over five years compared to unhappier people.
However, it’s important to note that happiness isn’t a one-size-fits-all emotion. It’s a balance of pleasure and purpose, and different people will have their own unique mix. It’s also important to remember that forcing happiness or positivity can backfire. Instead, a focus on happiness should be about showing workers that their work is meaningful and fulfilling. This will make them happy on their own terms, and it will help boost productivity and safety performance numbers.
4. It Makes You Feel Good
Happiness can feel like a rush, but it’s also more than just positive emotions. The APA defines happiness as “a state of overall well-being and contentment.” Pleasure, joy, and excitement can all be types or shades of happiness, but so can feelings of satisfaction and inner harmony.
Studies show that people who are happier experience a range of potential health benefits. They may exercise more often, eat healthier foods, get enough sleep, and avoid smoking. They may even have a stronger immune system, which protects against disease and injury.
However, focusing too much on the pursuit of happiness can lead to burnout. It’s important to find balance in our lives, which is why the Greater Good Science Center offers resources for happiness practices such as expressing gratitude and meditation. Then, we can focus on the big picture—like making time for our mental, emotional and social well-being. The longer we can nurture happiness, the more it will benefit us.