Is happiness a choice?

Mar 19, 2022
7 min read

What is happiness?

What is happiness? Everyone is in a quest to find an answer to this question. Happiness has always been a topic of discussion; the answer to this question varies from person to person; what makes one person happy may not be the same for others, but it is no less important than others as well, there is no wrong answer. Happiness formally is defined as a state of emotional well-being that a person experiences. When people from around the world are asked to list the most important things to them, happiness consistently tops the list. People rank attaining happiness as being more important than acquiring money or even maintaining good health.

The study of Happiness comes under Positive psychology, which is defined as a scientific approach to studying human thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, with attention on strengths rather than weaknesses, building the great in life rather than repairing the bad, and taking the lives of average people up to “great” rather than focusing solely on moving those that are struggling up to “normal” (Peterson, 2008). It was a response to Negative Psychology.

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Where can it be found?

"There is no path to happiness. Happiness is the path." - Gautama Buddha

It is said that happiness is a state of mind, and therefore it has to come from within. We have to actively choose happiness and seek it over all the negativity in our lives. It can be found in the little moments in our daily life. Happiness is contagious, studies show that we are happiest when we are around those who are also happy, so embrace those who are joyful and let it rub off on you. Hold on to what you believe in, your values, and your truth. Hope for the best, as your inner positivity can channel through your behaviour, which can influence the result. Do what you love as it contributes to your mental well-being. Welcome life changes, as change is constant.

We need to keep in mind that happiness does not mean suppressing our negative emotions but rather understanding the cause of the negative emotion, accepting it, and then working upon it, in the most positive way possible. It is not always rainbows and sunshine, there are always going to be some gloomy days. During those gloomy days we can just feel those emotions and not avoid or deny them, as it is not a healthy way of dealing with them, and can do more harm than good to one’s mental well-being. You are not obligated to stay happy all the time and should not pretend to be happy when you are hurting, as it would add to the emotional baggage you carry. During the sad moments of your life, you should count on all the happy moments you have experienced and hope for more to come in the future. The problems in our lives will never suddenly disappear, what we can do is face those problems with a smile on our face, not to be brave but just to be happy, the problem we face today will become our lessons for tomorrow.

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Factors influencing happiness

"I have chosen to be happy because it's good for my health."- from Voltaire

For decades, researchers tried to review and understand happiness predictors. Some researchers believe that happiness is influenced by genetic and inherited factors and others believe that happiness is caused by environmental factors. Results of previous studies suggest that happiness is caused not only by one or two factors but rather a result of integrated several factors. As a whole, two interactive general factors influence emotions in individuals.

Internal Factors

Genetic factors-

In recent years a new branch of human psychobiology appeared: a genetic approach to well-being and happiness. Twin studies suggested that genetic factors count for 35% to 50% of happiness. Studies suggested an association between 5-HTTLPR and life satisfaction as a cognitive dimension of happiness. This gene codes serotonin distribution in brain cells and results in mood regulation. MAO-A is introduced as a gene that is involved in regulating happiness. This gene is located on chromosome X, which is involved in mood regulation and it is a catabolic enzyme for serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenalin.

Brain and Neurotransmitters

All of the activities are managed by the brain. Thoughts, feelings, activities, learning, and love, are all conducted by the brain. Mood and emotions are not except for this role. Research has particularly focused on the prefrontal cortex, where asymmetric activation in relation to positive and negative emotions is shown unlike most other brain regions involved in emotion processing. The limbic system that is placed in the central area of the brain, has the most influence on identifying the form of emotions. Increasing metabolism of the limbic system leads to depression in individuals.

Studies showed that positive and negative moods are affected by the chemicals in our brain in several ways. Dopamine and serotonin are two of the important neurotransmitters involved in mood. Positive moods and negative moods are mediated by dopamine and serotonin levels. The following are also known as happy hormones:

Dopamine, also known as the “feel-good” hormone, is an important part of our brain’s reward system. It is associated with learning, memory, motor system functions as well pleasurable sensations. A balanced dopamine level is essential for a stable mood.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that mediates optimism, satisfaction, and happiness. Serotonin levels are reduced in depression. It also seems to play a role in emotions, mood, appetite, and digestion. Research indicated that an increase in serotonin level was related to positive mood.

Endorphins are released during continuous exercise, fear, love, music, chocolate-eating, laughter, etc. Increased level of endorphin restraints pain in the body and a reduced level of endorphin inhibited positive feelings.

Melatonin, also known as the sleep hormone, is made by the pineal gland in the brain during the night. It is linked with how our body gets ready for sleep. Studies showed that melatonin level is related to happiness level. Melatonin has a role in depression, it was found that an increase of melatonin in the blood reduces depression.

Hormones and Endocrine Gland

Cortisol has been shown as one of the consistent markers for depression. High levels of morning cortisol have been linked to depression and neuroticism. Researchers suggest that happiness is related to the level of Cortisol in the body. Research indicates that atypical Cortisol secretion patterns are linked to depression, stress, and anxiety. While less salivary Cortisol is a good predictor of happiness.

Adrenaline produces similar effects to Cortisol, such as immune system suppression and increased heart rate. Research indicates that urinary adrenaline is a good predictor of happiness, it is also closely related to Dopamine.

Oxytocin, often referred to as the “cuddle hormone” facilitates the relationship with others and is associated with positive social behaviours, so it assumes that it is related to happiness. Oxytocin can be a mechanism that produces happiness by facilitating social relations, as a significant correlation can be found between happiness and social relationship,

Physical health

Recently, several studies concluded that there is a significant correlation between positive mood and physical health. Researchers stated that people with happiness experience a long life. People with happiness behave healthier than others. Some researchers used music therapy to increase positive emotions in individuals with cancer; they conclude that music therapy has a positive effect when dealing with cancer.

External factors

Factors that seem to affect happiness are- economic status, social and personal relationships, the health of oneself and our loved ones, spirituality, sense of independence, environment, etc. Seligman (2002) describes that there are eight external factors that affect individual happiness. The research found that these factors contribute to happiness but only by a very small margin. A person who expresses a positive evaluation and a person who expresses a negative evaluation of their life, both experience happiness through these external factors to the same extent.

How to overcome hurdles and attain happiness

Happiness and sadness are the two sides of the coin which we experience throughout our lives, what we need to realise is that they coexist, we can’t overcome sadness if we deny its existence. Every cloud has a silver lining and similarly every negative situation has a positive aspect to it as well, we might not recognize that aspect of it at the very moment but when we look back at it we realise it for what it was.

"Life is like a mirror, smile at it and it smiles back at you"

Studies show that smiling can trick your brain into believing you’re happy which can then spur actual feelings of happiness. It was also found that depression weakens your immune system whereas happiness has been shown to boost our body’s resistance. Not only does smiling help you but also the people around you. Studies have found that we are more likely to feel happy when we are among happy people, this can be due to the presence of the mirror neuron, which mimics what you see around yourself, for e.g.: If you see me beam a big smile at you, you have neurons in your brain that would stimulate a big smile at me or somebody else.

One should try to assess any situation as an individual event rather than overgeneralizing it. Depression can tinge recollections with negative emotions. It magnifies the one thing that went wrong while ignoring the many things that went right. We need to ask ourselves questions as our feelings and emotions might be real to us, but not stand true when logically evaluated.

Love yourself. You accept the happiness or sadness you think you deserve; you will choose happiness only if you think you deserve it: and you do deserve it. Doing things you enjoy, prioritizing your physical and mental well-being, and being a lenient critic of yourself might help you attain it along the journey called life.

Because happiness

Happiness is something you actively choose, regardless of the negatives in your life because it is not something that is ready-made but rather something you make from scratch. So out of everything you are given to choose, choose happiness even if it’s not an option.

Reference

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Written by-

Jaya Kumari

Reviewed by-

Palak Singla(Content Team coordinator| Editor-In-Chief)

Santushti Anand(Deputy Content Team Coordinator| Deputy Editor-In-Chief)

Siya Kumar(Associate Editor)