Happiness is something you hear about a lot—the keys to happiness, the secret of happiness, which foods and vitamins to avoid if you want to be happy, what country is the happiest country on earth, and so on. Despite all the talk around the sunniest state of mind, happiness can often seem all too elusive.
What happiness looks like to you isn’t the same as someone else’s vision of contentment; defining happiness can be a daunting task.
So what really is happiness?
Experts in the field of positive psychology have reached one well-researched definition of happiness. Long-term happiness is most often found by balancing three pathways toward contentment: pleasant feelings, feeling good about yourself, and feeling like you’re part of a larger purpose.
1. Feeling Good
Feeling good is best described as enjoying the sensory pleasures in life. Whether you’re carving out time to spend with your friends, heading into the woods for a solitary hike, or trying out a new restaurant in town, indulging in simple pleasures can often put you on the fast track to boosting your mood.
What’s important in this strategy to finding happiness isn’t necessarily which hobbies or interests you choose to pursue but the ability to savor your experiences as you go. Making a point of approaching events and relationships with a sense of appreciation can often help you find happiness where you weren’t necessarily looking for it.
Engaging your senses in your enjoyment of life is important, but if it’s the only road you take, it can leave you always searching for newer and better things.
2. Feeling Good About You
In contrast to seeking happiness through external, leisurely pleasures, pursuing the good life means finding value within yourself and projecting it outward. In Dr. Martin Seligman’s book, “Authentic Happiness,” he describes the good life as a balance between work, love, and play. By identifying the virtues and strengths unique to you, you can apply them to defining happiness and establishing a balance that works for you. You can start by appreciating what you’ve achieved, who you share your life with, and who you are as a person.
Finding value within yourself is crucial to establishing a lasting sense of peace. If you like who you are, it’s easier to bounce back from a low point. Self-esteem also makes you more likely to feel optimistic about where you’re headed.
Getting to know yourself is important to defining happiness but isn’t always the whole picture. If you’ve gotten to the point where you appreciate your strengths and enjoy life’s small pleasures, you might begin to crave a little direction.
3. Having a larger purpose
One of the most often cited sentiments for volunteer work is wanting to “give back.” What does giving back mean? Does it really have the power to make you feel happier? The truth is that humans are social creatures; it’s likely that you’re hardwired to want to contribute to the larger good. Beyond that, it simply feels good to be proud of what you’re doing. In the same way that waking up in the morning with special plans for the day can feel invigorating, approaching life with intention can leave you feeling rewarded and ultimately happy.
More than most other paths toward happiness, giving of yourself can reduce feelings of isolation and help you feel truly comfortable and supported in your world. How you contribute is unique to you. Finding happiness in a greater cause means applying your strengths in a special way. Whatever purpose you choose, sharing happiness and inspiring it in others will almost certainly leave you with a lasting sense of fulfillment.
