Each year when the Happiness Index Report is released we as South Africans realise just how much adversity we face on a daily basis. Price hikes, corruption, violence and abuse, failed state-owned enterprises, and poverty all add to our anxiety levels and overall outlook on life. Let’s face it: it’s hard to be upbeat during these trying times.

But what does happiness look like? Is it getting married? Achieving at work? Being recognised for outstanding performance, social standing, or buying a house? All these factors certainly contribute but they are by no means the definitive answer to happiness.

Happiness is rather difficult to define and an emotion that is far greater than simply feeling joyful. It’s integral to our general well-being and living a life with meaning, purpose and deep contentment, and a state we can harness in spite of external factors weighing us down.

Unpacking happiness

In the book, The Happiness Project, the author uncovered that when happiness is derived from giving back and inner calm, and that small changes can make the biggest difference.

READ: HOW GIVING CAN MAKE YOU HAPPY

Happiness is a state of emotional well-being that a person experiences either in the narrow sense, when good things happen in a specific moment (the joy of welcoming a baby to the family for example), or subjective well-being as a positive evaluation of one’s life and accomplishments (satisfaction, contentment and fulfilment).

Happiness has an emotional component – positive feelings – but also a cognitive component where you evaluate conditions and events more positively. You do not necessarily have both components in your life.

For example, someone who is confronted with negative emotions such as those working with the poor, sick or destitute might experience negative emotions frequently yet feel satisfied due to the meaning their work offers them. On the other hand, someone who spends their time engaged in egocentric or hedonistic pleasures might frequently feel positive emotions but in general, have feelings of emptiness and meaninglessness.

 Happiness is not defined by external factors but rather internally.

Happiness is not one thing that you experience or that happens to you. Does the saying “If only I buy that house/get promoted/fall in love/have children, I will be happier.” Although these create moments of happiness, they are all fleeting and meaningless in the overall scale of true happiness.

Happiness manifests from within by means of the following:

  • Harnessing acceptance – accept that reality is what it is, accept circumstances we cannot control and see change as inevitable. If you grasp acceptance, you will find contentment, be open to adapting and embrace the positive even within a seemingly negative situation.
  • Understanding the transience of life – it’s important to understand that life is both good and bad and embrace that “this too shall pass”. During the pandemic, we managed this well, and by seeing ourselves as one of many who are suffering in isolation, with fear or loss and struggling with the change, we stopped being resentful or looking down on others. We were all in the same boat. It made us humble, and compassionate, appreciate life more, and be content with what and who we are.

READ: HOW TO COPE WITH CHANGE

  • Connection – appreciating the people in your life and building strong, lasting relationships that nurture, grow, and challenge you.
  • Setting goals – research shows that setting goals that are a challenge but not unachievable is important for overall happiness. By developing new ways to approach the world, new interests, new social relationships, and even new physical skills, all contribute to positive outcomes. Goals can small but have a massive impact such as creating a better sleeping routine, starting exercise or learning a new skill.

WATCH: HOW TO MOTIVATE YOURSELF

  • Don’t doom scroll – constantly engaging with bad news isdisheartening, andhaving social media envy can seriously affect your mood and health. Doom scrolling robs you of healthy sleep, social interactions, work fulfilment and hobbies – all essential to support your wellbeing.
  • Self-care – By consciously looking after yourself you will find your spirits lift, including your motivation, drive and overall energy levels.

WATCH: THE IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP

 

Happiness spirals into well, happiness!

Striving for happiness has a positive spin-off on literally all of you. The impact has a domino effect, touching your entire being.

Positive emotions:

  • lower stress
  • eases anxiety and depression
  • leads to better health
  • promotes a sense of meaning, purpose, and fulfilment resulting in increased performance in your personal and professional life
  • brings out the best in you and allows you to connect more meaningfully with others
  • fosters resilience for when times are tough
  • assist you to think creatively and to try new things
  • encourages a healthy lifestyle

Happiness is not reserved for the rich and famous. It’s has so little to do with your accomplishments and far more with your inner peace and love for yourself. Start today and make small changes towards being your biggest asset and watch as you flourish in life!

“If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes.” Andrew Carnegie