We read books, watch videos or listen to podcasts to find various ways to stay happy. Even today, there are online courses on happiness, Instagram posts trending with hashtag happiness, or merchandise selling happiness in bold letters.

But questions like, “What exactly is happiness?” and “Where we can find happiness?” still remain less understood.

A sense of happiness 

Happiness is a feeling we experience when we are full of joy. This state of well-being is characterized by pleasant emotions ranging from contentment, satisfaction to intense joy. 

Happiness is the “inner feeling”, we develop in response to something good. When good things happen in our life, we start to feel being happy.

Now, these good things can be different for different people. People usually get happy when they accomplish success, receive compliments, do something nice for others, spend time with family, pursue hobbies, travel for a reason, have financial security, practice gratitude, memorise something good from past, being with family, and in love with nature.

If you take a careful look, you will notice that “good things” are external factors and happiness is “inner feeling”. So, obviously the source of happiness lies within us. It is always up to us how we respond to situation.

A mother feels happy when she hugs her child; a child feels joyous when he/she plays with friends; an older gets happy when they receive a call from their children; people get happy when they meet their friends at reunion.

So much so that a good cup of coffee is happiness. A Sunday well spent is happiness. Finding old photo album is happiness. Learning new skill is happiness. Listening music is happiness.

All above mentioned examples clear that you don’t always need success as a reason for happiness. You can feel happy irrespective of success, money or materialistic things.

Benefits of being happy

Happiness indicates that you are living a better quality life that you wanted. You realise the importance of ‘living in the moment’. Hence, you are satisfied and appreciate all the good things in life.

Happiness is inextricably linked to having strong social connections and contributing to something bigger than yourself –  the greater good.

When you share your happiness with others, you feel free to show your true self with other people that help to build strong social relationships. 

Being happy you are curious about life and therefore, continuously learning and growing. You are open to new ideas and grab opportunities to explore new experiences. When you open up to new alternatives or opportunities, you explore more and learn something new. Your brain enjoys a novelty which subsequently boost creativity.

Being happy you are adaptable to challenges and opportunities. Even when faced with discomfort, you have an underlaying sense of optimism that things will get better, and you can deal with what is happening, and you will be able to feel happy again.

More broadly, happiness is a positive evaluation of one’s life and accomplishments overall indicating subjective well-being. Therefore, happiness is often described in terms of living a good life, or flourishing, rather than simply as an emotion.

Knowing this, isn’t it necessary for you to take steps to improve happiness in your life?

Also Check : The Secret To Happiness

Empowering a sense of happiness

Do you know happiness is the most basic thing that can be achieved with minimal effort ?

Surprised…

For this, first ask yourself two questions.

What does happiness really mean to you?

And

What kind of person are you?

For some people, happiness is finding joy in simple things of daily living. Beautiful morning, rising sun, chirping of birds, spending time with friends and family, eating together, reading books, watching movie or even street shopping make these people joyful.

In reality, these people mostly focus on things that are happening right now and enjoy every moment. And therefore, it is simple for them to be happy.

For others, a sense of happiness comes only after doing something great in life. These people get happy only if they are able to achieve big things like successful life, popularity, high scores, high salary job, professional excellence, big house, exotic vacation, or luxurious gadgets/accessories.

For these people, living happy life is little bit difficult. Each time you can’t guarantee that you will be able to fulfil your dreams because life never goes as per your plan.

And lastly, there are kind of people for whom happiness means living a life in a safe mode only. These people get happy only when future seems good and bright.

We all are well aware that unexpected things can happen to anyone at anytime. And therefore, for these people, living happy is again difficult because they spend most of their time on overthinking about future and making choices.

Now, find out in which category you fit yourself and what could you do at your level best to develop a sense of happiness.

When you are at the best state of mind, the result of that action is always positive and worth mentioning.

Disclaimer 

Mediclin Brain Health’s content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.