Do you ever think about happiness? Studies show happy people live longer and enjoy better health compared to discontent folks. Perhaps it’s time to question how to be perkier. Examine ways to increase contentment and you can look forward to a bright future.
What is happiness?
Without an accurate definition of happiness, you won’t determine the best way to become happier.People often mistakenly imagine happiness is the same as joy. Joy, though, is an instant burst of delight that makes you want to jump up and down with glee.
When you’re joyful, elation grows and you may describe yourself as high. Happiness is a balanced, toned-down version of joy. It’s a regular sense of ease and liberty from strain.
Joy increases when you throw confetti over a happy couple on their wedding day or take a ride at the fair. It can improve moments and enhance good feelings, but it’s not stable like happiness.
To be happier, you need to establish a steady flow of satisfaction as opposed to a super-high sensation. Once you find a stable balance of contentment, you’ll benefit from the advantages of happiness such as improved health and well-being.
Why money only makes you happy to an extent
Research reveals money can make you happy, but only if you think you need it to survive in comfort. If you’re stressed about lack of money, you won’t be happy. Once your wealth covers your basic needs, and a little beyond, amassing more wealth won’t make you happier.
How happiness and relationships are connected
A long-term adult development study carried out by Harvard has been tracking participants since 1938 to find out what makes people happy and healthy. The overwhelming answer is relationships are paramount for long-term well-being.
If your relationships are good, poor health and other challenges won’t cause you to suffer as much as they might if you didn’t enjoy healthy connections with friends and family.
Isolated, lonely people experience setbacks more forcefully than people surrounded by love and friendship. If you want to be as happy as possible and weather the storms of life with grace, you need to develop strong bonds and connections.
Get involved in your local community, maintain ties with colleagues and old pals, and stay close to people you consider family, even if they aren’t blood-relatives. As a result, you’re set to age with a smile.
What boosts happiness?
Studies show other factors influence well-being too. All of them have a huge impact on your relationships and mindset.
Forgiveness
Grudges are emotional burdens. Carry them for years and they will weigh you down and reduce health and happiness. The happiest people in the world know how to let go of resentment and free themselves from stress.
For your own good, forgive people who upset you. Rather than build anxiety, live in the present and build happiness.
Gratitude
Gratitude heightens contentment because it fills your heart with appreciation for the people and events that make your life wonderful. You can’t be negative at the same time as thankful. Happy hormones flow and stress dwindles when you recognize you are lucky.
Easy-going nature
Research demonstrates perfectionists are often unhappy while folks with easy-going natures are content. The latter take life’s trials in their stride and don’t worry too much when they make mistakes. As far as they are concerned, human errors are learning curves rather than signs of weakness.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness aids happiness because it teaches you to control your emotions, focus, and make smart decisions. Regular mindful practice will help you overcome the urge to eat unhealthy foods, consume too much alcohol, or take other unhealthy actions that reduce well-being.
Your relationships will also improve if you are mindful. Rather than fly off the handle when someone pushes your buttons, you’ll stay calm. You’ll be a better listener and more compassionate too. The mindful qualities you cultivate will enhance your lifestyle and make you happy.
Benevolence
Magnanimity helps people create strong bonds. Individuals remember the kindness of others and often want to return favors. Although you might not aim to gain from your generosity, you will benefit by boosting connections based on give and take.
Benevolence generates feel-good chemicals in your system too. Kindness is rewarded with happiness-inducing hormones that make you feel worthy and valuable.
Can you be too happy?
Before you turn your life into a happiness-seeking mission, you should know it’s not necessary to be happy all the time. Not only isn’t constant happiness essential, but it might also stop you striving to improve. Scientists suggest spells of stress help people grow. If you’re thrilled continuously, you won’t bother to spread your wings.
Happiness is important. After all, without it, you won’t enjoy life. You can nurture a happy existence if you create and maintain healthy relationships. Don’t let the occasional absence of happiness concern you, though, since your discomfort signals change from which fresh happiness will flourish later.
References: Berkeleywellness.com, and Harvard.edu
What makes you happy? Share your path to happiness in the comments below.