Positive psychology is a relatively new area of scientific research, and one which is understandably popular within the media. After all, everyone wants to be happy and well-liked. But although a plethora of books has appeared on the market, extolling the virtues of positive thinking, it’s worth bearing in mind that this is a drop in the ocean compared to the serious literature that exists about depression.
The study of happiness is easy to dismiss as slight, but there are a number of good reasons the subject deserves the same serious appraisal as depression. Studies so far support the view that happy people experience greater health, wealth and creativity. They bounce back from set-backs quicker, have stronger friendships/personal relationships, and make better decisions. (Sonja Lyubormirsky, The How of Happiness, Penguin Press).
Is it Possible to Learn to be Happy?
It would seem that people have a standard base rate for happiness. This can be adversely affected by outside influences - such as the death of a loved one or involvement in a serious injury - but most people return to their standard norm fairly quickly. This suggests that happiness is an inherited trait, to some extent. Dr Halabe Bucay goes so far as to say “the parent’s psychology before conception can actually affect the child’s genes.” (Elsevier, "Can Happiness Be Inherited?", ScienceDaily, 14 May 2009, accessed 11 February 2011).
Similarly to the way some people are naturally slimmer in build than others, regardless of their exercise routines, so certain people seem to have a higher level base rate for happiness. However, that’s not to say happiness levels can’t be improved. Just as a new fitness regime can help achieve physical improvements, so too can happiness levels be boosted.
How to Improve Happiness
According to Professor Sonja Lyubormirsky, a leading proponent in happiness research, everyone is capable of improving their own happiness, regardless of their base level. But it does take some work. Improving happiness starts with making mindful decisions, but ultimately requires actions not passivity.
As Lyubormirsky says “If we observe genuinely happy people, we shall find that they do not just sit around being contented. They make things happen. They pursue new understandings, seek new achievements, and control their thoughts and feelings. In sum, our intentional, effortful activities have a powerful effect on how happy we are…”
5 Top Tips to Improve Happiness
- Do nice things for other people. Helping others, expressing gratitude for life, and being charitable are all things which help to significantly increase a person's own happiness quota.
- Take control of your working life. You may not have a dream job, but the more you put in the more you get out. Being more creative and taking the initiative at work helps people feel more rewarded and in control.
- Invest in your relationships. Respect and appreciate partners, close friends and family. It has been found that one of the key areas for maintaining good relationships is responding appropriately to others' success. In other words, in good relationships people don’t just commiserate at bad times, they celebrate and enjoy the good.
- Avoid comparisons. A ‘grass is always greener’ attitude does little to bolster self esteem, but concentrating on our own personal achievements and goals does.
- Do not seek happiness in material goods. It has been proven that those who place high priority on money do not find any greater happiness, but do place themselves at greater risk of depression. (Tim Kasser, The High Price of Materialism, MIT Press). Conversely, people who are generally more happy seem to accrue more money in the long run.
References
Business Pundit Website "Tips for being happier at work", 11 May 2010, businesspundit.com, accessed 14 February 2011
Elsevier, "Can Happiness Be Inherited?", ScienceDaily, 14 May 2009, accessed 11 February 2011
Kasser, Tim, 2003, The High Price of Materialism, MIT Press
Lyubormirsky, Sonja, 2008, The How of Happiness, Penguin Press
Michelle Strozykowski - Michelle Strozykowski lives in a small brewing town smack bang in the middle of England. She loves films, especially arty European ones ...
