A hedonist might say that pleasure alone suffices for happiness, but others take a more broad view of well-being. On some objective list theories, like the Aristotelians’ eudaimonia, it consists in a life of virtuous activity.
Some people define happiness as a sense of contentment, and it has been linked to health benefits such as a longer lifespan. However, many people struggle to identify what exactly happiness is.
1. It Saves You Money
Research shows that saving money makes us happier – so if you’re struggling to put away those pennies, try creating a dedicated savings account and putting in a direct debit as soon as you get paid. Or, take your money out of your daily spending and invest it in someone else – this ‘prosocial’ spending is linked to higher happiness levels than buying things for ourselves.
Spending your money on time-saving services like house cleaners or food delivery services can give you a boost of happiness, according to new research. That’s because people who spend their cash to buy back time — such as a cleaning service or subscription to a service that reduces household chores — report greater happiness than those who don’t, even among those who live paycheck-to-paycheck.
Interestingly, the impact of income on happiness plateaus at around $50,000. That means the happiest people are those who don’t have any debt, save regularly and spend wisely on experiences, relationships and belongings.
2. It Keeps You Safe
Happiness is a source of personal well-being. Studies have shown that a solid social support system, positive emotions and feelings of contentment all contribute to a happy life. Happiness also has a direct connection to mental health, with many studies showing a significant correlation between the two.
But just what does happiness look like? Philosophers, theologians and even economists have struggled to define it. One theory is that happiness is a sense of deep satisfaction and contentment that transcends pleasure and includes the absence of negative emotions. This is a concept called “happiness hedonics,” and it has become the subject of a whole branch of psychology-positive psychology.
Another way to think about happiness is to consider the experiences that make you feel good-whether it’s visiting a new place or receiving a relaxing massage. These positive experiences can provide a temporary reprieve from the worries and problems you might have in your daily life. This feeling of contentment can also help you better recognize potential hazards.
3. It’s Easy to Fill Up
When your tank is full, you can give more of yourself to others, even on an empty day. You can also better cope with stress, be more resilient to setbacks and have a greater sense of well-being in the long run.
While it’s possible that your happiness level is largely genetic (identical twins raised separately have slightly different happiness ranges) most people can improve their happiness levels in certain ways: Exercise, meditation, gratitude and kindness. These activities can boost your dopamine, seroton and endorphins. Similarly, eating a balanced diet, sleep, socializing and avoiding screen time can help your oxytocin and dopamine tanks.
It might seem cynical that a man who built his career promoting austerity as an AEI chief strategist is now disseminating the soft agitprop of happiness evangelism, boosted by The Atlantic and Oprah Winfrey. But he’s playing to his audience, which is still hungry for the self-help that might help them through the choppy economic times ahead.