Happiness is an electrifying and elusive state. Philosophers, theologians, and psychologists have devoted their lives to trying to pin it down.
One school of thought, hedonism, identifies happiness with pleasure. Another theory, the emotional state view, departs from hedonism and focuses on a person’s overall mood. Then there are those who think that life satisfaction can suffice as a definition of happiness.
4. It Keeps You Healthy
Happiness provides a definite advantage when it comes to healthy living. People who are generally happy have stronger immune systems and experience less illness than their unhappy counterparts. They’re also more likely to exercise regularly, eat well and get enough sleep.
Researchers have found that happiness carries benefits even during periods of high stress. One set of diabolically cruel researchers subjected psychology students to a series of stressful tests in a soundproof room, and then asked them to rate the extent to which they felt 10 positive emotions like pride or optimism. The results showed that the happiest students exhibited the most resilient responses to the test.
The exact ways in which happiness leads to better health remains a mystery, but it’s not hard to see how the two are linked. Whether it’s the result of direct cause-effect relationships or simply an indirect correlation, it’s clear that happiness is a powerful force for good in all areas of life.