Do you sometimes feel that all other people are happier? Or have more luck in life than you? In today’s blogpost, we’ll take a look at what research says about happiness: Can we determine our own happiness or is it simply coincidence?
What is happiness?
In order to understand whether and how happiness can be influenced, it is first necessary to clarify what happiness is exactly. However, it is not so easy to define because the definition depends on the point of view. One would call someone happy who is generally satisfied with his or her life or someone who is full of joy in a single moment, which is visible for example through laughter or a friendly facial expression.
At the neuronal level, happiness is caused by the release of so-called happiness hormones. Dopamine is released in the midbrain which is then passed on to the frontal brain. This in turn produces substances in the frontal brain that function similarly to opium in their nature and mode of action and lead to euphoria. In addition, serotonin and oxytocin are other important happiness hormones. These endogenous happiness substances cause us to feel good. Processes in the brain, in this case the release of happiness hormones, thus cause a change in our emotional state. In addition, however, the happiness hormones also cause our attention to be increased, we become more relaxed and our brain functions better overall. But how is this chain of events triggered in the brain? What makes us happy then?
What makes us happy
There are numerous aspects that influence whether we are happy. From a genetic predisposition to our own thoughts and actions. In happiness research today, it is assumed that about 50% of our happiness is caused by genetic predispositions. This means that a so-called happiness gene in the body can be expressed differently so that one variant causes frequent feelings of happiness, but another variant does not. The happy version of the gene has precisely this effect, as it promotes the release and distribution of the happiness hormone serotonin.
However, there are several other factors besides genetics that can contribute to our happiness. Our life circumstances only account for an astonishing 10% and a full 40% are determined by personal behaviour and actions as well as our own attitude in life. We can only influence our life circumstances to a certain extent. Aspects such as certain privileges with which we were born or not also play a role here. Also, fulfilled basic needs such as enough food, a safe home, a loving and supportive social network, health and sufficient financial means are prerequisites that contribute to happiness. Studies have also shown that a meaningful life usually leads to a happy life. Having a meaningful job, volunteering in your free time or even spending meaningful time with loved ones creates a sense of contentment and happiness.
Luck or bad luck – all by chance?
Whether we are happy or not has various reasons. And even if a few conditions are out of our control, we can still have quite a bit of influence on it and contribute to our own happiness. We have collected a few tips for you on how you can take your happiness into your own hands and what may stand in the way of happiness.
Dos and Don’ts: How you can forge your own luck
These things can help boosting your happiness:
Regular exercise. Exercise promotes the release of happy hormones while strengthening the long-term health of your body and mind.
Eating a balanced and varied diet. Good food can also improve our mood and release happiness hormones. Especially cashews, lentils, fish and some other foods are suitable to boost one’s mood. All these foods contain tryptophan which is needed for the formation of serotonin.
Meditation. Consciously practicing and controlling one’s thoughts and emotions promotes happiness. Among other things because it reduces stress.
Giving. Studies have found that giving makes you happy. This can be in the form of donations, gifts or just little things like helping someone for a moment or listening. Giving joy to others also has a positive effect on us.
Variety. A varied life leads to constant learning and personal development. This means that small successes can be celebrated again and again, releasing happiness hormones each time. In addition, variety also makes us more mindful, curious and gives us joy through new experiences.
Think positively. Even if not everything always looks positive, in many situations attention can be directed to a positive aspect – change the perspective. Positive thinking and gratitude make us happier overall.
Individual happiness charms. Everyone has different interests and preferences. Doing something that excites you, makes you feel good and ignites passion makes you happy. A few example activities are reading, cooking, listening to music or even playing an instrument, singing, spending time in good company, going out in nature and enjoying the fresh air, beautiful views or a breeze from the sea, playing with pets or taking a trip.
And here are a few more aspects you should try to avoid or do only in moderation as they tend to get in the way of your happiness:
Stress. In moderation, stress is indeed good and important because it motivates us and moves us forward. However, too much stress especially permanently, decreases our mood and makes us unhappy.
Worry. A few worries here and there are something normal and part of life. But when worries are very pronounced and we constantly think about negative things, it harms our health and our happiness decreases. However, suppressing worries is not beneficial either. It is better to tackle worries bit by bit and let them go.
Social media. Younger generations in particular spend a lot of time on social media. However, studies show that high consumption of social media makes people unhappy in the long run. This happens for example because people subconsciously compare themselves with the lives others show online and the digital pressure to be constantly available, to react quickly or to actively participate themselves.
Pursuit of happiness. Paradoxically, the overzealous pursuit of happiness makes one unhappy. When too much effort is expended and one frantically tries to become happy, we are getting in our own way and cannot achieve our goal.
Certain foods. When it comes to diet, there are also a few foods that should only be enjoyed in moderation. For example caffeine, in excessive amounts, prevents the formation of serotonin. Too much sugar and fast food can also depress our mood and lower our happiness in the longer term.