There are a lot of things that contribute to happiness, like: managing one’s mindset, calming one’s mind, becoming more confident, using strengths, building good relationships and so on. Most of these are under one’s control.
Doubts about happiness’ importance are often based on relatively weak conceptions of it, such as thinking that it is simply a matter of life satisfaction.
1. It keeps you on the road
Happiness is a big concept and can seem like a daunting goal, especially when faced with hardships. But like any road trip, it starts with the commitment to take the intentional actions necessary to get there.
Research shows that happiness is linked to higher levels of life satisfaction, positive emotion, and pro-social behaviour. It also protects against poor decisions behind the wheel and may even help prevent on-the-job crashes or workplace incidents.
Bumper-sticker cliches and pop-culture platitudes aside, happiness is one of the least studied human emotions and has historically been more the stuff of greeting cards than scientific research. But that is changing, with researchers uncovering surprising facts about the nature of happiness. Money doesn’t buy happiness: it can lift emotions up to a point, but beyond that the effect plateaus. And employees who are unhappy at work don’t perform any better than their more satisfied coworkers. Companies that prioritize feedback and set their workers up for success are twice as likely to have employees who are happy on the job.
2. It keeps you safe
Most people don’t think of happiness as a safety issue. But it is. And a lot of what goes into happiness has to do with keeping us safe.
While some people’s base level of happiness is determined by genetics and personality—things they can’t control—they can consciously work on happiness drivers, or things that make them happy. For instance, getting enough aerobic exercise (Losado et al, 2018) and socializing with friends or family have been shown to be happiness boosters.
Happiness also leads to a greater awareness of one’s environment, which is a major component of being aware of potential safety hazards. For example, people who are happy are more likely to notice when a coworker is having a bad (and thus dangerous) day. And they’re more likely to trust the leadership of their employer, leading to a more trusting culture where it’s easier for employees to follow safety protocols. (Click here for a full white paper on worker engagement and safety.)
3. It saves you money
It turns out happiness isn’t just good for you, it’s also good for your wallet. Whether you spend money on experiences, possessions or helping others, studies show that you are happier when your spending aligns with your values and priorities.
For example, buying a car with a stereo system that lets you sing along to your favorite tunes can boost happiness. So can a more spacious home and hiring yard services, house cleaners or grocery delivery companies to reduce time spent on chores like cleaning, cooking, shopping and commuting, which most people rank low on their list of enjoyments.
Happiness experts like Dunn have found that above a certain level of comfort, you actually don’t need more money to be happy. In fact, if you prioritize money above time, you could be making yourself miserable.
4. It helps you save the environment
Many people believe that happiness is a prerequisite to sustainability and a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. This may be because happy people care less about material goods, and therefore consume fewer resources. They also seek out activities that connect them with nature and other like-minded people, which are known happiness boosters.
A study comparing countries with different levels of happiness and environmental sustainability found that the happiest ones were closest to meeting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This was true even when controlling for factors such as wealth per capita, democracy and political corruption, social trust, and general health.
Happiness and a greener future are interlinked. If we can learn to be more satisfied with what we have and find meaning in our actions, then we can tackle the challenges facing the planet—from global warming to food security, climate change to dwindling biodiversity—with compassion and joy. Greater Good’s Jill Suttie, Ph.D, is a contributing editor.