A full tank of happiness means you can handle ups and downs. It also enables you to make better decisions about your life.
Objective List theory lodges happiness outside of feeling and onto a set of values that matter for human well-being, such as career achievement, freedom from disease and pain, friendship, material comforts, civic spirit, beauty and knowledge.
1. It Keeps You Going
Happiness can make you feel good in a variety of ways. It can be a feeling of warm fuzzies and spine-tingling sensations, or it can be an optimism and positive outlook on life that promotes healthy lifestyle habits such as exercise, eating well and socializing (Newman, 2015).
The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle said “all other pleasures are built upon happiness” because he understood the power that comes with an inner sense of contentment. While some people may have a naturally higher baseline for happiness, the science is showing that you can prioritize your happiness to experience more of the good stuff.
Start by noticing the little things that make you happy, like the friend who offers to give you a ride or the colleague who sends you a compliment. Then, start to act on those experiences by extending kindness to others. A study that followed people for two weeks found that those who performed acts of kindness reported more happiness than those who didn’t.
2. It Saves You Money
While buying things like cars, jewelry and gadgets can make us happy at the moment of purchase, the joy they bring decreases over time. In contrast, experiential purchases such as vacations and sports events are a source of happiness that increases over time.
But how you spend your money can determine whether that happiness lasts. Instead of mindlessly purchasing things, think about your values and priorities to create a spending plan that aligns with those goals. A savings plan can also help to boost your happiness by providing a sense of control and security.
Another way to spend your money that can increase your happiness is to use it to buy back what many people now see as a scarce resource: time. According to research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, individuals who use their money to pay for time-saving services such as house cleaning, lawn care and grocery delivery report a greater level of happiness than those who spend their money on material objects.
3. It Keeps You Safe
While the idea of happiness is somewhat subjective, there are certain things you can do to increase your chances of feeling happy on a regular basis. Prioritizing your personal relationships, trying new experiences and practicing gratitude are just some of the research-backed methods for boosting your mood.
Happiness fuels or precedes success, and it also helps you function better and make sound decisions. It can even protect your body from disease.
It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what creates happiness, but some researchers have discovered that the feeling of well-being correlates with a lower risk of heart disease and cancer. Other health benefits of happiness include a stronger immune system, greater resilience and better sleep habits.
4. It Makes You Feel Good
Happiness gives you a sense of optimism, an “all-can-be-won” attitude and a vitality that is contagious. Happiness also causes positive bodily reactions. For example, when you feel happy, your body’s autonomic nervous system — responsible for involuntary activities like blood flow and digestion — is triggered to release chemicals that make you feel good.
Researchers have found that happiness promotes a number of health habits that are key to maintaining your well-being. People who are happier tend to eat a healthier diet, exercise more (such as getting enough aerobic exercise or walking in nature), get a good night’s sleep and have stronger social connections (Lauby, 2010).
It takes time to become happier, but there are things you can do to help speed up the process. You can practice mindfulness, participate in random acts of kindness, be grateful, and work on building strong relationships with those around you. In addition, regular aerobic exercise helps boost mood and can improve your immune system (Sapranaviciute-Zabazlajeva et al, 2012). Happy people have also been shown to be less susceptible to sickness.