A full tank is important for a number of reasons. It reduces the risk of evaporation and contamination, helps to prevent overuse, and saves you money. But a full tank is also complicated. It’s difficult to measure and varies over time. For instance, the moment-by-moment intensity of our positive feelings is a big part of… Continue reading Happiness is a Full Tank

A full tank means more enjoyment in life and better performance. Happiness is a goal that everyone can strive for, and research shows it brings health perks, more career success, deeper relationships and much more. Yet it’s a difficult state to pin down. Philosophers, theologians, and psychologists have all sought to define it. 1. Take… Continue reading Happiness is a Full Tank

Keeping a full tank is important for many reasons. It can save you money and keep you safe. It can also help you maintain your vehicle longer. It can prevent your car’s key components from wearing down. Happiness is a mental state that is difficult to define. Some researchers argue that happiness can be derived… Continue reading The Importance of Keeping Your Happiness Tank Full

If you are unhappy, it’s time to change your fuel. For decades, psychology has focused on pathology and the negatives in life. But a new focus is emerging – happiness. But what exactly is happiness? Is it relaxing on the beach, fitting into a skinny jean, or landing that promotion? What Is Happiness? Happiness is… Continue reading Happiness is a Full Tank

There are many different ways of looking at happiness. Psychologists tend to use the term to mean contentment, well-being or satisfaction with life. Some philosophers define happiness as a kind of value, such as eudaimonia or virtue. Others focus on the experiences of happiness, such as pleasure and enjoyment. Some of the things that you… Continue reading Happiness is a Full Tank

Researchers use a similar method to measure happiness as automobiles do when calculating fuel consumption. They ask people to rate their current levels of happiness on a scale, from not happy at all to pretty happy. Defenders of hedonistic or emotional state views might argue that life satisfaction alone cannot suffice for happiness. But that… Continue reading Happiness is a Full Tank

Happiness is the sense of pleasure and positive evaluation that one gets from life. It’s an essential human need that all humans strive to achieve. Many of the things that might seem to make people happy do not, however. For instance, increased wealth and income are only a minor predictor of happiness. A Full Tank… Continue reading Happiness is a Full Tank

Researchers measure happiness in different ways, but the most common is asking people to self-report. That works well for smaller samples, but it can be misleading when observing large groups of people around the world. Many of the first things that come to mind as predictors of happiness don’t play a big role. For example,… Continue reading Happiness is a Full Tank

Happiness leads to greater career success and deeper, more fulfilling relationships. It also increases health and longevity. Eudaimonic happiness seeks a life that contributes to the world and is not dependent on external circumstances. It includes things like wisdom, compassion and courage. Valuing the wrong things can block you from finding sustainable happiness. For example,… Continue reading Happiness is a Full Tank

Unlike gasoline tanks, which are typically designed with fixed widths to avoid sloshing, happiness is a flexible concept. It can mean anything that benefits a person, makes her better off or is desirable for her sake. Some philosophers are skeptical of the importance of happiness. They argue that happiness is a thin sliver of experience,… Continue reading Happiness is a Full Tank