The definition of happiness most agreed upon by neuroscientists, psychiatrists, economists, positive psychologists and Buddhist Monks is not of happiness as the state of bursting with glee but of happiness as a sense of well being, contentment, the feeling of living a meaningful life, of utilizing one’s gifts, of living with thought and with purpose.
Researchers like David Lykken and Sonjya Lyubomirsky have informed us that happiness is a “ many factored thing.” From their research with genetic twins they report that we each have a happiness set point that determines 50% of our happiness no matter what else is going on in our lives.
But there is more to the story – 10% of our happiness is considered to be a function of life circumstances, something that we may not be able to control but for which we often adapt or find ways of coping. The final 40% of our happiness is directly in our hands, it is a result of our intentional activity.
With this in mind, it is worth considering some of those elements – be they attributes, strategies, coping techniques or behaviors that have proven to be valuable in the pursuit of happiness.
Engagement in Life
Engagement such as sustained attention, effort, passion or purpose in something is an indispensible ingredient to happiness. Engagement may take many forms and may be more intense in one particular dimension of our life be it work, family, recreation, spirituality or creative endeavors. It may be the determination to achieve a degree; the commitment to care for three young grandchildren; the passion to enhance one’s skill playing the piano; the determination to expand a food pantry for the poor; or the determination to run a marathon. Our engagement will often change across time.
A Key to becoming engaged is to let your personal strengths, passions, talents and interests lead the way.
Connections
An important ingredient in our sense of happiness is our capacity to relate to others. Some people need more social connection than others. Most people need to feel they matter to someone. Crucial to the motivation to go forward in life is the belief that you provide “ added value” to another –be it to a spouse, parent, friend or child. In turn, most people also need to feel the affirmation, love and connection others have for them.
Marriage and Committed Relationships
Marriage and committed relationships are not instant happiness enhancers. No one just shows up for a good marriage. It is the continued effort to respect, affirm, trust, problem solve, show intimacy, argue, forgive and laugh that makes for the fabric of a meaningful relationship. It means never taking the bond you share for granted.
Underscoring our relationships is our own self-esteem– the sense of value and personal worth we feel from recognizing our strengths and talents and pursuing our interests and goals. The easiest partner to love is one that has self-compassion and a positive view of self. On the other hand, continual self-doubt and criticism not only undercuts your own feelings of happiness – but the feelings of those who love you. Addressing personal unrest or doubts by seeking help or engaging in self-help activities is a gift to all.
Children
- Most people will tell you that their children are the greatest source of joy and happiness in their lives (as well as the greatest source of worry, sleep deprivation and high tech information).
- Most people will leap tall buildings for their children.
- Most people watch and worry about the happiness of their children.
- What we sometimes miss is that our children are also “ watching and worrying about us.”
- Self care and pursuit of well being by parents is an extra security blanket for children.
Laughter
As humans we are one of a few species that laughs and our laughter spans age, gender, language and culture. Laughter is not just a by-product of happiness. Given the body-mind connection, the very act of laughter changes body chemistry to our advantage. Laughter enhances happiness.
When we laugh, our brain releases endorphins – the feel good hormones of serotonin and dopamine that foster a sense of wellbeing. Accordingly, laughter has been associated with reduction of stress, and improvement of mood, self-esteem and coping skills. Research finds that laughter can reduce the impact of diseases like asthma, cancer and heart disease by reducing the physiological stress response that exacerbates these conditions.
Laughter is a crucial ingredient to the intimacy between partners or friends. Laughter means risking being touched by another. It is restorative in the aftermath of trauma, anger or pain because it is a way of saying “ We are still connected.”
Laughter is a mutually shared moment in time.
- There is some real wisdom to the nightly ritual of many couples who watch a silly sitcom and share some laughter.
- There is no sound more hopeful in life than the laughter of children.
- One of the incredible gifts that our pets give us is a “ daily dose of laughter.”
Holding on to Positive Perspective
It is easy to feel happy, content and hopeful when things are going well. What about when life becomes stressful?
How do we hold on to positive feelings in the face of the unexpected diagnosis, the child with special needs, the job that disappears, or the deployment of a spouse?
There is no question that negative feelings of stress, pain or concern are warranted at certain times of life, sharpening our focus and protecting us from danger. Overall, however, positive feelings like joy, interest, contentment and love have been shown to enhance our coping by “broadening and building” on our momentary thought–action repertoire.
Positive feelings foster action and spark the urge to explore, to savor the moment, to be creative, etc. As such, positive feelings mediate negative feelings, build up our reserves for coping at the rough times and may even serve to undo the negative physiological effects associated with the rough times in life.
A Strategy for Holding on to the Positive — Infuse Ordinary Events with Positive Meaning
For example, many folks can tell you of special or even funny times in hospitals that family members remember and cherish – Dad’s asking for steak when no one could find his teeth; The arrival of a pizza that no one would admit ordering but everyone ate. These are the times when you find a way to glimpse the light – even in the storm.
Gratitude
Recent research in the field of positive psychology informs us that feeling gratitude, the awareness and appreciation of what is valuable and meaningful to oneself, has many benefits including positive mood, enhanced physical health and optimistic outlook. Actually expressing gratitude has proven to have even greater benefits in terms of personal happiness.
Given our human tendency for adaptation and expectation, it is not surprising that we often take for granted or overlook those who may have helped us. Gratitude shakes up this adaptation. In the very consideration and expression of thanks to another, we not only give the gift of appreciation – we make visible to ourselves someone or something very positive in our life.
A Gratitude Intervention- “The Virtual Gratitude Visit”
This is adapted from the work of psychologist Daniel Tomasulo Ph.D.
Sit down and write a letter to someone in your life to whom you feel grateful. Let them know in the letter those positive things that you appreciate. Ruling out any conflict, embarrassment or problems, you can decide to send the letter, hand it to the person or even read it to the person.
If you really feel grateful to someone who has died but for whom you feel positive appreciation – go ahead and write your letter. Read it aloud as you think of them. Bring it to a special place that they loved or you both shared and read it. There is no time limit on the expression of gratitude.
Happiness is neither a simple goal nor a place we try to find. It is a way of living your life. It ebbs and flows over the course of life’s journey. It feels different in childhood then in the aging years. Working to make happiness an essential dimension of your life is you right and privilege.
Embrace the Happiness in Your Life
Listen in to Dr. Kristin Neff Expert discuss Self-Compassion, another crucial step to wellbeing and happiness.