Happiness!!

                  Happiness! Can you define the exact meaning of happiness? What is happiness and what it is not?

Currently we are living in a happy - obsessed environment, where people around us can be seen exploding their happy smiling faces on TV and social media showing their version of happiness. We all here are want to happy but do we ever though about what happiness actually means?

Happiness can be defined as an emotional or effective  state that is charecterised by feelings of enjoyment and satisfaction.

A quick Google search for the word “happiness” shows over 2 million results. Further, a scan for the same term in two of psychology’s biggest online databases (PsycINFO and PsycARTICLES) returns 19,139 results from academic and other journals, books, dissertations, and more.

In Oxford English Dictionary "Happiness" is defined as "The state of being happy" but it's not much helpful to clear our doubt. But, the definition of word "Happy" is little more subtle and helpful. It is "Feeling or showing contentment and satisfaction."

But that's probably not all!

Happiness In Positive Psychology

Happiness in positive phsycology is charecterised by the experiences of more frequent positive effective states than negative ones.

According to some personality studies happy and unhappy people have different personality profiles. Such as, happy people tend to be more extroverted, optimistic and usually have high self esteem. Happiness can be also considered as emotion produced by positive events and exercises. Interestingly, seeing some reports it is proven that extroverted individuals are happier than introverted individuals in the context of a broad range of life experiences.

Happiness and Culture 

When it comes to happiness, culture is considered to play a significant role. Number of researched have shown that most people across the globe do desire some form of happiness. But the state of happiness varies greatly depending on one's culture and circumstances.

Almost all culture and religions respects happiness or the behaviour justify by happy people. According to a study there are five core elements common to all cultures around the globe.

• Wisdome and knowledge 
• Love and humanity 
• Courage 
• Justice
• Temperance 

And this all elements causes happiness either mindfully aur physically.


Pleasure and Happiness

This question definitely seem odd! How can pleasure and happiness can be different? After all, the Oxford Dictionary has defined the happiness as a state of feeling pleasure! But but, happiness and pleasure are mutually exclusive elements.

Where happiness is a state of contentment and satisfaction, Pleasure is more like a  a-moment experience. It can be achieved from experiences like eating your favorite food, getting a massage, feeling special, getting complemented or having a good sex.

While, happiness is not permanent state and is comparatively more stable than pleasure. Happiness generally sticks around for more than a few moments. Where pleasure can come and go in a second. You could feel pleasurable having grief and guilt in mind that can keep you from feeling happy at the time.


What are the sources of true personal happiness? 

After seeing whole scenario, there are few elements that are justified as cause of overall happiness.
They are,

• Individual Income
• A comfortable standard of living 
• Good physical health 
• Family 
• Social relationships
• Moral values 
• Experience of positive emotions
• Extroversion 
• Mindfullness 

Happiness is important

There are certain reasons of why happiness is the most important aspect of leading good life. Above all, being happy is effective and benifitive. It helps us achieving emotional and physical health. Happy people become more creative, witty, energetic, expressive and fun and all this elements can also lead them become more successful. 

There are few important and interesting points marked by June Silny specifying the importance of happiness. 

• Happy people are more successful in every aspects including marriage, friendship, income, work performance and health. 
• Happy people are healthier as they get sick less often and experience fewer symptoms when they get sick. 
• Happy people have more friends and better support system. 
• Happy people are more helpful and more likely to volunteer which also makes others happier! 
• Happy people have an easier time navigating through life since optimism eases pain, sadness and grief. 
• Happy people engage in deeper and more meaningful conversations. 
• Happy people are more productive and more creative, and this effect extends to all these experiencing positive emotions. 

Key Elements Of Being Happy

Thus, coming to the main question called 'how'! How to be happy? Here have a look at some key elements that can give a slight boost in a process of being happy. 

• Decide what to do first. 
• Be confident about yourself. 
• Be progressive and learn how to feel better for yourself. 
• Create balance between personal and professional life. 
• Built a growth mindset for happiness. 
• Make positive memories. 
• Take breaks from social media, specifically ditch your phone while having good time with family and friends. 
• Communicate regularly. 
• Change your negative way of thinking - stop worrying, ruminating, self-judgement and fearing rejection. 
• Focus on clarity. 
• Make values and live them. 
• Pqy attention to the good. 
• Use your imagination to live the life you seek. 
• Stay active minded.. 
• Explore the meaning of happiness in your way. 
• Go after life - approach with enthusiasm. 
• Speak up and stand up for yourself. 
• Find your purpose. 
• Build meaningful network. 
• Change your physiology. 
• Held yourself accountable. 
• Grab good food and enough sleep. 
• Give complements. 
• Explore nature. 
• Take time to analyse and reflect. 
• Let go of grudges and griefs. 

Above all keep calm and stay focused. 

In short, 

Happiness is letting go of what you think your life is supposed to look like and enjoying it for everything that it is. 

                           - Mandy Hale

So, What are your thoughts on happiness? Would you define it accordingly or differently? As per your openion which is the most important ingredient for your happiness? Was this article helpful? Do let me know in comment section below! 

Thank You!!