«

»

Happiness Pie

5

Happiness Pie

Everyone wants to be happy, but what is happiness?…..

“Happiness is used in the context of mental or emotional states, including positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.” (Wikipedia) A list of synonyms helps to describe the elusive state: contentment, pleasure, contentedness, satisfaction, cheerfulness, cheeriness, merriment, merriness, gaiety, joy, joyfulness, joyousness, joviality, jollity, jolliness, glee, blitheness, carefreeness, gladness, delight, good spirits, high spirits, light-heartedness, good cheer, well-being, enjoyment.

New and growing research suggests that happiness can improve our physical health. Positive feelings and contentment are shown to benefit blood pressure, inflammation levels, the immune system, cardiovascular health, and physical aging, among other things. Happiness has even been linked to living a longer life.

Happiness is not achieved by jumping from one amazing experience to another. Researchers have found that a happy life usually involves times of significant discomfort. Learning how to navigate these times of discomfort through our emotional IQ plays a large part in our happiness and emotional emancipation. Money is important to happiness only in the amount that it buys freedom from stress and anxiety about basic necessities in life such as housing, food, clothing. Our genetic makeup, relationships, social involvement, achievements, life circumstances, and even our neighbors play a large part in our happiness.

Research suggests that at least 40% of happiness is under our personal control…. I believe it’s a lot more than that. When choosing what to put into your happiness pie, consider regularly indulging in small pleasures, maintaining a part in challenging activities, setting and meeting goals, pursuing activities that engage you fully, and finding purpose beyond oneself by helping others. All of these ingredients help to build a life that is satisfying and happy.

Sources:

Psychology Today
Harvard Health Publishing
Dictionary.com
Wikipedia

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *