A full tank means that you feel good about your life, and you can deal with whatever comes your way. It’s also a healthy feeling, one that you can build upon over time.
Happiness is a complex feeling, and many people have different views about it. But psychologists, journalists and even Buddhist monks have some ideas about how to get there.
1. It’s a natural feeling
Happiness may seem like a bumper-sticker cliche or the stuff of greeting cards, but researchers are increasingly discovering its power. Unlike other emotions, such as anger or sadness, happiness is not a treatable illness, and it’s harder to study than other feelings because its causes are less clear-cut. Despite its complexity, however, scientists believe that people have a base level of happiness that influences their physical and mental health.
Several studies suggest that happier people are healthier, more active, and more successful at work and in relationships. They also tend to live longer. In one, participants rated their happiness on a daily basis and had their hearts examined; those who were most happy had the most resilient heart patterns.
Interestingly, the most important contributors to happiness were not pleasure or contentment, but rather having intimate relationships and socializing. This is a testament to the importance of feeling connected and loved. Commuting to work, on the other hand, was a significant negative mood influencer.
2. It’s a safe feeling
One of the major supports to happiness is a feeling of safety. Not surprisingly Finland ranks at the top in many international comparisons when it comes to safety. 8-year old Tapani explains, “I don’t have to worry about things like cobras or boa constrictors in Finland.” Of course most people also don’t have to worry about earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, man-eating tigers, landslides and avalanches that might put their lives in danger in other countries. But even a little feeling of unsafety can take away the happiness feeling. A feeling of unsafety can be caused by real physical threats or even by psychological ones like parents that constantly remind kids about their mistakes.
3. It’s a good feeling
For many of us, happiness is a natural desire. We seek it out through pleasant emotions like joy, satisfaction, contentment, and gratitude. We’re gratified by the pleasure of drinking a can of Coke, by shopping for a new outfit, or by visiting somewhere beautiful. We also enjoy the feelings that come from material growth, such as making more money this year than last or clearing out a closet full of clutter and finding room for things that matter.
But the pursuit of happiness can be tricky to achieve. For starters, we may not even realize that it’s a feeling that’s possible for us. It’s easy to confuse happiness with pleasure, and we might think that pleasure is a “good” thing. But while pleasure is usually short-lived and can be obtained through substances, happiness is long-lasting and typically a result of mental states. Fortunately, happiness is a good feeling that we can all cultivate. The key is to surround yourself with people who make you feel good and to be aware of when your mind is wandering to the past or future.
4. It’s a healthy feeling
Happiness, when it’s rooted in a life of meaningful pursuits and a positive outlook, can help us develop deeper social connections. It can also help us notice patterns in our lives and aspire to goals that matter. University of Missouri psychologist Laura King says that “meaning and happiness go hand-in-hand.”
Happier people are healthier. They have less reactivity to stress, are less likely to become sick and they have stronger immune systems. Happier people are more active and have a better diet. They eat more vegetables, take vitamin supplements and get more exercise. They have more energy and are less prone to illness, including heart disease.
But it’s not clear whether happiness actually causes these health benefits. Maybe it just makes us feel better so that we don’t get sick, or it can lead to better habits like exercise and healthy eating. Researchers are trying to understand exactly how happiness influences health. A study of 4,000 English adults found that happier people are 35 percent less likely to die over five years. They have lower blood pressure, less inflammation, higher levels of HDL (the “good”) cholesterol and more stable glucose levels.