When you’re on a road trip and your fuel gauge starts creeping closer to “E”, tension mounts. Numbers like gas prices, miles to drive and days until your next paycheck race through your head.
Some may worry that state efforts to promote happiness tamper with citizens’ autonomy and amount to paternalism. Other concerns revolve around the fact that happiness is not really, or primarily, what matters for human well-being.
1. It’s good for your health
Happiness is more than just a feeling, it’s actually good for your health. In fact, happiness is linked to better work performance, stronger social relationships and a healthier immune system. Moreover, people who feel happy are more active and have lower blood pressure than those who don’t.
Researchers found that happy people live longer than those who don’t feel the same way. One of the more interesting studies analyzed diaries written by 180 Catholic nuns, and found that the ones who used words like joy, love, contentment, excitement, and satisfaction had a seven-year lower death risk than those who didn’t use these words.
However, it’s important to note that happiness must be genuine—trying to fake positive emotions can backfire. Investing in personal relationships and new experiences can boost feelings of happiness, as well as practicing gratitude and mindfulness. It is also helpful to avoid putting too much emphasis on financial success in order to be happy. Instead, try focusing on the small things that bring you pleasure such as a meal with friends or a funny movie.
3. It’s good for your relationships
Having a full tank means being able to give to others. You can’t do that if you’re empty. Having a full tank means that you have enough to take care of your family, friends, and coworkers. It means that you are able to be patient and calm in challenging situations. It also means that you are able to bounce back from setbacks and difficulties more easily.
While there are many different theories of happiness, all of them agree that happiness is a feeling of contentment and satisfaction. They also all agree that happiness can be found through many sources including pleasure, meaning, and engagement.
Pleasure and happiness are closely linked, but happiness tends to stick around longer than pleasure, which can come and go in seconds. Taking time to meditate will help you learn how to drive with a full tank by training your brain and body to be more calm and happy no matter what comes up.
4. It’s good for your environment
Just like a car can be driven on a choppy and fast road or a smooth and relaxing drive, meditation teaches you how to go through your day with a full tank of calm. Whether you are leading a meeting or simply trying to make it through the next hour, take a few minutes and breathe deeply to refuel your tank with the most important fuel in the world.
While happiness may not be the only factor in a fulfilling life, it is undeniably good for your health, finances, relationships, and work performance, and it helps you get sick less often.