Page 11 - IFV Issue 4 May 2023

FEELING

HAPPY?

What is happiness in simple words?
appiness is a sense of wellbeing,
joy or contentment. When
Hpeople are successful or safe, or
lucky, they experience happiness.

Where does happiness come from?
Genetic make-up, life circumstances,
Pexels Jill Wellington
achievement, marital status, social
relationships, even your neighbours, all probably receive many different answers What else gives people happiness?
influence how happy we are, or can be. to your question. Besides close relationships, there are a
So do individual ways of thinking and Some would say that happiness means few other things that predict happiness
experiencing feelings. Research shows being wealthy, others would say that for in people:
that much of happiness is under personal them it means to be healthy. • Having a job or hobby that they love
control. Happiness lies not only in positive One will also find people saying that and that challenges them,
emotions, but also in finding a sense of for them happiness means having love in • Helping others through volunteer
meaning in life. their life, having many friends, a good job work,
Typical, happiness is an emotional or achieving a certain goal. • Random acts of kindness or another
state characterised by feelings of joy, One doesn’t have to do something type at prosocial behaviour.
satisfaction, contentment and fulfilment. extraordinary and epic to lead a This might seem strange but if you
While happiness has many different meaningful life. pay attention to your state of mind
definitions, it is often described as when you are happy, you would find out
involving positive emotions and life What do we need to be happy? that this is true:
satisfaction. The five essentials – health, money, • How do you feel after completion of a
Behaviour scientists have spent a lot relationships, contentment at work and difficult task?
of time studying what makes us happy self-acceptance – are what form the basis • How do you feel when you solve a
and what doesn’t. We know happiness for creating happiness for ourselves. problem that has been bothering you
can predict health and longevity and for a long time?
happiness scales can be used to measure Why do we seek happiness? • What do you feel when you are in love?
social progress and the success of public We are emotional beings and experience • How would you feel if you get the job
policies. But happiness is not something a wide range of feelings on a daily basis. you want, a big sum of money or a
that just happens to you. Everyone has Negative emotions, such as fear and promotion at work?
the power to make small changes in anger help us to get away from danger or With all these situations you
our behaviour, our surroundings and defend ourselves. experience a feeling of relief, freedom
our relationships that can help set us on Positive emotions, such as enjoyment and joy.
course for a happier life. and hope help us to connect with others For a while your mind is free from
Experiencing happiness is important and build our capacity to cope when planning, thinking, anticipating and
for our emotional and physical health. A things go wrong. worrying. When this happens, you feel
stronger sense of happiness and wellbeing happy.
has been shown to lead to better What are the 3 keys to happiness?
relationships, increase social connection Scientist have found that the three things What does this mean?
and contribution to the lives of others, as that make people happy are: It means that happiness and inner peace
well as contributing to healthier physical • Pleasure (doing things you enjoy), are interconnected. When the mind
wellbeing. • Engagement (feeling interested in your is quiet, there is happiness and when
If you ask people, what is happiness activities and connecting to others), there is happiness, the mind becomes
and what does it mean to them, you will • Meaning (feeling what you do matters). quiet.

The Villager • Issue 4 2023 • 9