What will make you happy?

This is a very common question all the time especially in my work and in my one-on-one life coaching.

Happiness – or the pursuit thereof – is by far the most important thing in a person’s life.

If we are happy with ourselves, happy with our health, happy with our relationships, happy with our career and happy with our finances, then there will not be much else that we may need in life.

When last did you take the time to really think about your happiness:

According to Wikipedia, the term happiness is used in the context of mental or emotional states, including positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. It is also used in the context of life satisfaction, subjective well-being, eudaimonia, flourishing and well-being. ¹

Pleasure, comfort, gratitude, hope, and inspiration are examples of positive emotions that increase our happiness and move us to flourish. In scientific literature, happiness is referred to as hedonia (Ryan & Deci, 2001), the presence of positive emotions and the absence of negative emotions.²

In general, happiness is understood as the positive emotions we have in regards to the pleasurable activities we take part in through our daily lives.³

Most people around the world want to be happy and want to feel good. According to research by Lyubomirsky et al, (2005)⁴

Some Scientific Facts About Happiness

Did you know by being happier can actually improve your health, boost your immune system, combats stress, increase longevity , encourages a healthier lifestyle , and improves your overall wellbeing?
Here are some scientist facts on happiness and how it relates to your health & wellbeing:
 
1. Improved Heart Health
Happiness may also reduce the risk of heart disease, the biggest cause of death worldwide. Several studies have linked happiness with improved heart health and lower risk of heart disease by 13-26%.⁵
 
2. Ability to Combat Stress More Effectively
Excess stress causes higher levels of cortisol – the stress hormone – which can lead to a number of health conditions. Multiple studies have found that individuals who are happier have consistently lower cortisol levels in their blood^6.
 
3. A Stronger Immune System
Some research has indicated that being happier can support a strong immune system, leading to greater health all round, and the ability to fight infections or disease more effectively⁷.
 
4. Overall Healthier Lifestyle
Happiness has also been linked to several positive and highly beneficial health habits, that promote a greater sense of wellbeing. This includes eating a healthier diet⁸ engaging in more physical activity⁹, and overcome poor sleeping habit¹⁰.
 
5. Reduced Pain
Researchers believe that individuals who are happier, have a better perspective and are able to accept new thoughts easily, which can lead to a lower experience of pain especially connected to chronic conditions such as arthritis¹¹.
 
6. Increased Life Longevity
One of the most interesting finds from the research for health benefits of happiness is its connection with life longevity. Researchers believe that because of the impact happiness has on all of the above health benefits, it can ultimately help you live a longer life¹²
 
7. Being kind makes you happier
Performing good deeds is one of the fastest ways to get some happiness into our own lives. The outlet noted multiple studies have shown people who donate to charities, for instance, will feel happier thanks to a trigger of feelings of reward. The studies go on to find the brain is then also encouraged to do more good deeds.¹³
 
8. Doing the things that you love makes you happier.
Don’t you notice that you happier when you are doing what you love also known as a state of flow? Flow can be achieved while performing any type of activity and is fueled by continuous positive feedback from the mind. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi describes in his book “Flow” (2008) “when the information that keeps coming into awareness is congruent with goals, psychic energy flows effortlessly”.
Mihaly has observed and studied the psychological concept of “flow” in his studies on happiness. Flow is a mental state. He states that happiness isn’t fixed; rather, it a combination of a baseline level, where basic needs are met, and a broader area, controlled by the individual. His studies and research show that once a person makes it a little beyond the average poverty level, their material resources don’t affect how happy they are. To think that you would be happier if you just had a nicer house or a higher salary is wrong. In most senses, personal happiness comes from within. ¹⁴

Today, I am sharing some simple exercises you can do to find out what brings you the most happiness– all you need is a journal, a few moments to yourself and a quiet space.

Exercise:

Jot down what you think will make you happy truly happy in your life. Note the most adventurous, outrageous or even the simplest things you can? There is no right or wrong answer here.

Are these things already in your life, or are they goals you are still working towards?

Are they attainable or are they things out of your reach?