We all look for it, in a certain way. We talk about the concept of . But what really is happiness? Surely there will be as many definitions as there are people in the world, since happiness, as well as well-being, are completely subjective states (mental and physical). And in the history of philosophy, literature and psychology, we find an almost endless number of definitions. We have rescued some.
For example, Ruut Veenhoven of the University of Rotterdam defines happiness as “the subjective enjoyment of life.”
But there are more philosophical definitions, such as that of the philosopher Jean-Paul Margot, who defines it in a para Philosophical Praxis as something that is not reduced to the “affective well-being of an organism adapted to its environment.””; According to him, being happy means that people are capable of achieving a balance that overcomes our contradictions and conflicts.
Many authors have related happiness and well-being to a state of mental harmony, balance and inner peace. And on the way to these states, we realize that there is no magic formula (much less unique) for happiness. And this is because, as we said, it is not something that has a universal definition, since for each person this concept can vary depending on their own dreams, needs and personal characteristics.
“Happiness is the ultimate goal of human existence.” -Aristotle-
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But, although there is no unanimous decision to define happiness, there are some things that universally help us to be happier people, such as:
1. Live in it present
It sounds easy, but how difficult can it sometimes be to focus on the here and now? Although, once you start doing this exercise, you will notice that it will get easier each time.
It is not about stopping fighting with those thoughts that make us worry about the future or that take us to the past, but about letting them go and not staying stuck in them. Change our way of relating to these thoughts. Meditation or yoga are activities that can help us live more in the present.
2. Try new things
Although this may be a little scary at first, trying new things helps us discover new interests and keeps alive the curiosity and sense of wonder that was present in our childhood, when everything in the world was new and exciting. Furthermore, when we try new things that give us pleasure or euphoria, we release endorphins, the so-called “happiness hormones.”
3. Focus on the good
This does not mean living from a naive optimism, in a world of fantasies without problems or difficulties, but rather it has to do with looking for the good things that always exist in every situation and learning to be grateful for them.
It is a very simple action but it can help you change your mood for the better. We insist, it is not about not wanting to see the bad and only focusing on the good, but about knowing how to appreciate the good things that exist despite the difficulties. This will also help us develop another skill, which is resilience.
4. Help or collaborate
There is a direct relationship between happiness and the act of giving; either giving part of your time sharing with others or collaborating in other ways. Generosity fills the heart and alleviates our sorrows. It is an ideal option to feel happy by making others feel happy too. We can help the people we love in our daily lives or also through volunteering, for example.
5. Surround yourself with people who contribute
Cultivating a state of well-being also depends, to a large extent, on the people we surround ourselves with. There are people who give us vitality, good vibes, desire to do things, calm… that is, they give us good things.
On the other hand, there are other people who, either because of their way of being, or because of the dynamics we establish with them, subtract from us. And others that even make us feel bad, suck our energy. Therefore, surrounding yourself with people who contribute something positive to our lives is also related to a state of happiness.
6. Disconnect
Disconnecting from work, stress, daily routine, worries… This also provides us with calm and well-being, and it is also something we need. We need to disconnect from all these things to connect with a state of relaxation, stop from time to time, recharge our batteries.
This action not only relaxes us physically, but also allows us to distance ourselves from problems, see things with a new perspective, relativize and, ultimately, connect with the pleasure of “doing nothing” or simply resting.
7. Practice self-care
When we talk about self-care we are referring to all those actions that benefit oneself, and that imply, as the name suggests, taking care of ourselves.
Both on a physical level and on a cognitive and emotional level. Taking care of ourselves makes us feel good, and we can do it through different actions (some of which we have already talked about), such as: eating well, having moments of relaxation, surrounding ourselves with “vitamin” people (people who provide us), taking a bath hot, cut toxic ties, have good sleep hygiene, feed our passions and hobbies, take care of our internal dialogue, etc.
How to cultivate a state of well-being?
We have talked about seven “big little actions” that bring us well-being, and that we can implement in our daily lives. But there are many other seemingly simple things that we can practice daily and that help us be a little happier, such as:
Practice gratitude. There is nothing more powerful than gratitude to connect us with our reality, with everything we have and with the reasons to be happy (things that exist, even on the darkest days).
Dedicate time for yourself. Make yourself a priority and always set aside time in your schedule for yourself, even if it’s just 5 minutes a day. But let that time be for you, to do something that you really enjoy like taking a walk, doing a skin care routine, watching that series that you like so much… In short, anything that makes you happy.
To meditate. Meditation and relaxation, breathing and visualization exercises are very helpful in helping us connect with ourselves and focus on the present. They are an ideal tool that also promotes health. You can also try the options already mentioned, such as Tai Chi or Yoga.
And what makes you happy?
“Happiness is not something that is postponed, but something that is designed for the present.”
-Jim Rohn-
References:
- Margo, J.P. (2007). The happiness. Philosophical Praxis, 25, 55-79.
- Ruut Veenhoven. (2005). What we know about happiness. In: León Garduno Estrada, Bertha Salinas Amescua & Mariano Rojas Herrera (coordinators). Quality of life and subjective well-being in Mexico, Plaza y Valdés, SA de CV, Mexico.