Happiness is a state everyone strives to attain. Let’s face it, everyone wants to be happy and, indeed, we should be.
Happiness is a mental or emotional state of well-being characterised by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. However, one asks, “What makes people happy?” As more people search for happiness, more scientists have researched this area.
Happiness goes beyond the feeling of satisfaction, as it also has benefits for our health. Researchers have found that happiness paves the way to better health and longer lifespans. More than 160 studies have found evidence connecting happiness to a healthier life. The Harvard School of Public Health has also examined 200 separate research studies on psychological well-being and cardiovascular health.
Optimism and positive emotions were found to provide protection against cardiovascular disease, slow progression of heart disease and reduce the risk of getting a heart attack by around 50 per cent.
The benefits are clear. Although there is quite some debate as to what can lead to happiness, most literature points to the development of the following:
Self-awareness: The detection of our true natures, true selves and true values. This encourages enhancing emotional awareness and intelligence – how to deal with our own emotions and how to deal and react to the emotions of others.
Acceptance: Many people want more than they have and this might lead to many thinking they cannot actually achieve their best. To be happy we need to be content with our life situation and with the world at any given moment, while also trying to achieve meaningful goals. Also, we should be happy with who and how we are. We shouldn’t expect to be perfect – no one is – but try our best to always improve.
Life enjoyment: It is good to have fun and act like children, enjoying humour, playfulness and flexibility of everyday events. Some live quite rigidly, being productive at all times, which is good in some ways. However, it is also beneficial to let go on some days.
Transcendence: The development of positive relationships in our lives and the recognition of universal unity. We should feel part of the world.
Positive emotions provide protection against cardiovascular disease and reduce the risk of getting a heart attack by around 50 per cent
Perspective: The scientific truth that what happens to us is not nearly as important as how we choose to react.
Purpose: The notion that happiness comes mainly from finding meaning in life. Knowing that we came to this world and are contributing to the benefit of others offers a sense of purpose. Everyone, whatever age, gender or occupation, has a role and purpose in life. Understanding that we make a difference helps.
Psychic energy: People who reach the peak of happiness put in a lot of effort in work, love and relationships and through developing a positive attitude to everyday events and unavoidable suffering. We shouldn’t waste our energy on trivial issues, such as worrying about what another person said, but invest in meaningful efforts.
Doing things for others: Caring about others is fundamental to our happiness. Helping other people is not only good for them but also helps make us happier and healthier.
Take care of your body: Our body and mind are connected. Being active makes us happier as it enhances our physical health. Physical activity instantly improves our mood and can support management of mental health conditions, such as depression.
The good news about happiness is that greater happiness is mostly up to us. Our happiness depends on situations we can improve and on abilities we can develop.
Let us start from family life. We all start our lives within a family, and when we grow up we are faced with life choices. It is mostly up to us to decide if we want to live alone or with someone else. Many of these issues come along without us even realising. But the decisions we take are mostly our choice.
Research shows that people living with others are generally happier than those living alone. In studies conducted in the US and Canada, researchers discovered that parents feel happier and experience greater meaning in life than their childless counterparts.
The research consisted of three separate tests that compared whether parents are happier than non-parents overall, whether parents feel happier in their day-to-day life and whether parents have more positive feelings while taking care of their children than when doing other daily activities.
It was found that fathers are also happier than their childless counterparts. However, it is important to note that this is generalised research.
Another choice we make is our occupation to make a living. This decision is mostly taken according to what we love to do, our skills and capabilities and how much we will earn and how happy we will be doing our job.
Another factor is how much money we have and can spend. Studies have shown that material aspirations are initially similar among different income groups. Consequently, more income brings greater happiness. However, as our aspirations grow with income, they tend to undercut the favourable effect on happiness. Personal development is another factor to reach happiness.
How happy we are depends partly on our ability to make the most of our life situations. We can do a lot to be happier. Take simple measures and be happy while benefiting from better health.
Prof. Charmaine Gauci is Superintendent of Public Health.