Contemplating what happiness really means can be a touch mystical, right? Throughout history, humanity has tirelessly searched for the answer to this question, but Not a single reply received. From ancient philosophers to modern thinkers, everyone has embarked on a quest to understand the state of well-being we all long for.
The funny thing is that despite all these efforts, there is no single definition of happiness. Everyone has their own perspective, their own factors that contribute to reaching a state of happiness. In short, happiness is as diverse as the people who experience it, and perhaps even within that diversity The real magic of this interesting concept.
There are people who associate happiness joy And satisfaction. According to this perspective, being happy means experiencing positive emotions such as joy. EpicurusAn ancient Greek philosopher, believed that happiness is achieved by seeking simple pleasures and avoiding pain.
Happiness is also related to the state of mind that we experience when we are feeling created And we achieved our objectives. From Aristotle to psychologist Abraham Maslow, it has been said that happiness is relational Self realization and the search for the purpose of life.
Modern psychologists take a different approach and define happiness in terms of psychological well-being. Life satisfaction, autonomy, sense of belonging and personal fulfillment bring happiness. This perspective is based on the idea that Happiness is a healthy mental and emotional state.
Some philosophers and thinkers believe that happiness is closely related to us Relationships with other people. The quality of our social connections and our ability to love and be loved play a crucial role in our sense of happiness.
In Eastern philosophy, especially Buddhism and Taoism, it is argued that happiness Balance And Harmony with the world around us. This involves accepting things as they are and living in the present without excessive attachments or desires.
There is probably some truth in all these approaches and by putting a little bit of each we can achieve the happiness we all long for. How to achieve it? National Geographic has reviewed studies on the matter And concluded that there are 5 habits that help achieve happiness. This is
1. Talk about your feelings out loud
A study published in the National Library of Medicine shows how important it is to label our emotions. According to this research, when we name what we’re feeling, we slow down the activity of a part of our brain called the amygdala, which is normally activated when we experience strong emotions.
Psychologists support this idea and suggest that Writing or talking about our feelings can be beneficial. This habit not only allows us to process what we are experiencing, but it also helps us Keep yourself away from problemsLooking at them from a more objective perspective.
An example is this Isabel Allende, who, after dealing with the tragic loss of her daughter, channeled her emotions into writing her book ‘Paula’ (1994). In a later interview, Eland shared how the experience helped her cope with grief and eventually get her life back.
2. You have to socialize no matter the cost
is human Designed for socializing And our well-being depends largely on our interpersonal relationships. So, spending time socializing, even if it’s just a few minutes a day, is key to enjoying a happy life.
The famous Harvard Study of Adult Development, which lasted less than 85 years (started in 1938), showed that positive relationships All life makes people happiest. According to research, people who have strong friendships at age 50 outlive those who don’t at age 80.
3. Exercise as much as possible
do exercise It is part of the recipe for happiness. The famous Latin quote “men are sound in corpore sano” is supported by current science. A study by the universities of Oxford and Yale, published in The Lancet, shows that exercise leads to more happiness than material possessions.
4. Hugs and hugs
The ability to make physical contact, such as hugging Reduces cortisol release in the brain and stimulates the release of oxytocin and serotonin, which improve our mood. A study published in the journal PLOS ONE shows that receiving or giving a hug can help reduce negative emotions that arise during personal conflict.
5. Talk to yourself positively
Just as relationships with others are essential to a happy life, so is our relationship with ourselves. Often, when we don’t meet our expectations, we tend to send ourselves negative messages, viz “I’m a disaster” or “I always make mistakes”. It affects the way we perceive ourselves and our future behavior.
A University of Michigan study shows that when we speak in the first person in our internal dialogue, we tend to use negative phrases. However, when we address ourselves in the second person, viz “You can get through this” or “You’re doing great”We are more rational, optimistic and emotionally detached, which contributes to our happiness.
