Most of us associate happiness with a feeling or emotion. However, what makes one person happy may not be of any importance to someone else, so there must be more to it than that. Read on to find out how to live a happy life.

What is happiness?

Happiness has been defined as: “a mental or emotional state of well-being characterised by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy”. The good news that has emerged from numerous studies on happiness is that living a happy life depends entirely on you and the actions you take in pursuit of happiness.

In pursuit of happiness?

According to psychologist Martin Seligman, author of Authentic Happiness, humans seem happiest when they experience:

    • Pleasure (the “feel good” part of happiness).
    • Engagement (living a “good life” of work, family, friends and hobbies)
    • Meaning (using their strengths to contribute to a larger purpose).

His findings are echoed by those of a study looking at the happiest people on earth and scientifically analysing what they have in common. The results indicate that strong social relationships and social support was a far greater predictor of happiness than any other factor.

Taking action

So, how should you go about it?

    • Know what makes you happy. If you already know what makes you happy and it’s within your reach; go for it! If you don’t know, start thinking about it and do some honest soul searching.
    • Plan your happiness. Make time for the people and activities that make you truly happy. Don’t just think about it, schedule it. The thing people usually regret most is not having spent more time with the people they love.
    • Love. According to the Grant Study that followed a group of men for their entire lives, “the capacity to love and be loved was the single strength most clearly associated with subjective well-being at age eighty”.
    • Love yourself. You must take an inner vow to love and value yourself too! The key to happiness is appreciating your unique self and not making any comparisons. If others don’t appreciate you, that is their loss!
    • Build a strong social network. Having a core group of loyal, loving friends, family and neighbours not only gives you the opportunity to enjoy and be yourself but dramatically affects your happiness levels. “A true friend knows your weaknesses but shows you your strengths; feels your fears but fortifies your faith; sees your anxieties but frees your spirit; recognizes your disabilities but emphasizes your possibilities” (William Arthur Ward).
    • Guard your thoughts and emotions. There is definitely power in positive thinking. Get rid of negative thoughts and emotions, the moment they surface. “Nothing could make you become an optimist or a positive thinker more than believing in a higher power that is there to help you”, remarks M Farouk Radwan.
    • Take risks. “People assume that doing the right thing leads to happiness, but actually taking risks does,” says Brian Seaward, author of Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart. “Sometimes life is about risking it all for a dream no one can see but you”, adds Angel Chernoff.
    • Give but maintain equilibrium. Give as much as you can, be it help, love money, time, etc. but don’t allow yourself to be used.
    • Use and enjoy your signature strengths. Signature strengths are the things you are uniquely talented at. Studies have shown that using their signature strengths, talents and abilities make people very happy.
    • Have a purpose or calling in life. “There is no greater gift you can give or receive than to honor your calling. It’s why you were born and how you become most truly alive” (Oprah Winfrey). If you can’t figure out your calling or purpose, figure out what you are passionate about; the two are closely related.
    • Manage your time. Newly published research suggests that the happiest people are those who have little or no excess time, yet seldom feel rushed. The opposite is also true, doing nothing leads to boredom and unhappiness. The solution seems to be a healthy balance between being too busy or not busy at all!
    • Toss excess stuff. Belongings and other stuff can become a real burden. Toss out or give away the stuff you have accumulated but never use.
    • Don’t stay in a job you hate. After interviewing 1500 people aged 70 to 100, author Karl Pillemer of Cornell University, reported that this piece of advice was emphasised over and over again.
    • Treat yourself. Take a break and treat yourself, especially if you start feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

Right choice

“Being miserable is a habit; being happy is a habit; and the choice is yours” (Tom Hopkins). Chose to live, laugh and love!

 

Sources
Barker, E. 2014. Six secrets you can learn from the happiest people on earth. Retrieved from: http://time.com/14296/6-secrets-you-can-learn-from-the-happiest-people-on-earth/
Buchan, M. Seven secrets to happiness. Retrieved from: http://www.cosmopolitan.com/author/1057/meaghan-buchan/?click=_artAuthor_2
Chernoff, A. 50 Happiness quotes to change the way you think. Retrieved from: http://www.marcandangel.com/2013/11/07/50-happiness-quotes-to-change-the-way-you-think/
Happiness. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happiness
Nineteen quotes about managing your emotions. 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.gainemotionalstrength.com/quotes-about-managing-your-emotions/
Radwin, F R. Definition of happiness and how to be happy in life. Retrieved from: http://www.2knowmyself.com/Happiness_definition/how_to_be_happy_in_life
What is happiness? Retrieved from: http://www.pbs.org/thisemotionallife/topic/happiness/what-happiness