There are some schools of philosophy that deny the importance of happiness. These skeptics tend to focus on relatively weak conceptions of the term, including its association with positive emotions (which few hedonists would accept).
Other people define happiness as more than emotions, such as contentment and achievement. Just like a car, happiness needs a full tank to work.
1. It Saves You Money
Happiness is an emotion that brings joy, satisfaction, and well-being. It’s also an economic asset that reduces stress and boosts resilience. Happier people have better outcomes in the workplace, financially, in relationships, and when it comes to physical health and longevity.
The answer to the question of whether money buys happiness depends on how it’s spent. Psychological research shows that spending money on experiences reliably increases happiness, whereas buying material goods doesn’t.
Rather than buying another sweater or flashy watch, invest in a weekend getaway with your soulmate or take a family vacation. Just make sure to skip the picture-taking and commit to truly enjoying the experience. Research suggests that donating to those in need and expressing gratitude are also reliable happiness boosters. These behaviors calm the body’s fight-or-flight system and increase well-being over time.
2. It Helps You Stay Safe
Happiness helps you stay safe by fighting your brain’s natural negativity bias, which can distort how you view the world and influence everything from decision-making to forming impressions of others. It also nudges you to avoid dangerous situations by focusing on the positive aspects of events.
A growing body of research links happiness with physical health, career success, deeper social relationships and more. Happiness even has a ripple effect beyond your immediate circle, positively impacting the lives of people you know and complete strangers you encounter.
But what exactly is happiness? And how much control do we have over it? One proposal, which is sometimes called hedonism, defines happiness as pleasure. But other definitions nudge away from hedonism by incorporating nonexperiential elements like emotional well-being and mood.
3. It Helps You Stay Healthy
Happiness seems to strengthen the immune system, which may help you avoid illness. A study found that happier people get sick less often. Researchers surveyed 350 participants about how happy they felt each day and then exposed them to the common cold. When the study ended, they rated their feelings again. Those who had reported experiencing nine positive emotions were much less likely to catch a cold.
A growing body of research shows that happiness leads to healthy behaviors, like getting regular physical exercise and avoiding junk food. Practicing gratitude and spending time with loved ones are other happiness boosters. Laughing a lot also helps lower stress hormones, boosts immunity, and improve heart health. This is why it’s so important to make a habit of watching funny movies and spending time with humorous friends.
4. It Helps You Stay Active
The word “physical exercise” may elicit some groans, but the truth is it’s good for your bones and muscles, helps control weight, and can make you feel happier over time. In fact, studies show that people who are happy are more likely to stay active.
Try to think back to what made you happy as a kid, and incorporate some of those activities into your daily routine. It could be as simple as playing a game of basketball with friends, going on a hike, volunteering, or taking a different route to work.
Another way to stay active is by hanging out with happy people, as happiness is contagious. Research shows that when your friends and family are happy, it makes you feel happy too!
5. It Helps You Stay Connected
Having friends and family nearby helps us bust stress and boost happiness. In one study, participants who had close relationships were two to three times more likely to live longer than those with no close ties. Happier people are more likely to share their successes with others and have better social ties overall. They’re more likely to use humor in stressful situations and are more apt to resolve conflicts, which can help prevent mental illness.
So, next time a friend gets your joke or a co-worker congratulates you on a project, remember how much that little bit of connection adds to your happiness. Just don’t let the pursuit of happiness be your end goal; instead, follow what excites you naturally, because that’s how we build the bonds that truly make life fulfilling.