In the Pursuit of Happiness

What is happiness?

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” The Declaration of Independence clearly states that the pursuit of happiness is everyone’s right. But what is happiness? Well, that depends entirely on who you ask.
 
In a literal sense, happiness can be defined as emotions experienced when in a state of well-being.  How that state of well- being is achieved varies with each individual.  Children are inherently happy. However, as we grow older, we seem to spend more and more of our life in search of happiness. What is it that changes from the simple pleasures that make us happy in childhood? Why is it that for many, the pursuit of happiness does not result in achieving happiness? Are some people born with a predisposition to happiness while others must strive to achieve it in their lifetime?

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Research indicates that approximately 50% of your happiness depends on your genes. In fact, as early as six months after conception, your brain is already recording your mother’s thoughts and actions while you are in the womb. Ten to fifteen percent of your happiness is a result of variables such as socioeconomic status, marital status, health and income. You are in charge of the remaining 40% based upon choices you make in your daily life.

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Why are some people happier than other people?

There are numerous methods of measuring happiness. The Oxford Happiness Inventory measures happiness based on self-esteem, sense of purpose, social interest and kindness, sense of humor and aesthetic appreciation.  There are certain other factors that have been attributed to happiness. They are as follows:

• Exercise – Exercise is a main contributor in achieving a sense of well-being or happiness. Specifically, martial arts has been proven to boost happiness through the benefits of physical exercise combined with the improved level of self-confidence it promotes.
• Religion – Extensive research gathered in surveys conducted by Gallup, the National Opinion Research Center, and the Pew Organization have suggested that religious people are happier and less stressed. There is a direct correlation between those with a religious commitment and higher levels of a perceived sense of well-being, self-esteem, mental health, life satisfaction and better self-actualization.  There are lower levels of hypertension, depression, suicidal thoughts and drug and alcohol abuse.
• Political Affiliation – In the United States, the Gallup Organization reports that Republicans are more likely than Democrats to state that they are very happy.  This trend has been true since 1996. The Pew Research Center reports from 1972 through 2006, Republicans report being happier than Democrats and that the trend has remained unbroken for nearly four decades even during the 2008  Presidential campaign. This same trend held true during Watergate, the Carter administration and the Clinton administration.  Pew concluded that Republicans are better at aligning their life priorities with their life circumstance.  In other words, Republicans, as a group, tend to want what they already have. Democrats, as a group, tend to want what they don’t have.  The Democrats belief that outside forces determine success in life is associated with the lower reported life satisfaction.
• Social Networking – In a 2008 study published by the British Medical Journal, it was reported that happiness in social networks may spread from person to person. Imagine that, happiness is contagious. The study was conducted over 20 years and followed nearly 5,000 individuals.  It concluded that clusters of happiness and unhappiness were spread up to three degrees of separation on average.  Happiness was most likely spread through close relationships such as friends, siblings, spouses and next door neighbors and happiness was more consistently spread through the network than unhappiness.  (So much for the theory that misery loves company.) The structure of the social network also seemed to have an impact on happiness. Those who were very central to the network were significantly happier. Furthermore, the study suggests that happiness might spread through a population like a virus.

Where are the happiest people in the world?

The Satisfaction with Life Index shown below is  based on the average self-reported happiness (subjective life satisfaction) in different nations.  People participating in the survey are asked how happy they are as opposed to the traditional method of measurement based on GDP or GNP.

The Satisfaction with Life Index. Green = Happiest > Blue > Purple > Orange > Red = Least Happy; Grey = Data not available

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According to the United Nation’s Human Development Index (HDI)  in 1996 the countries with the highest Quality of Life (QOL) are as follows:

1. Canada
2. USA
3. Japan
4. Netherlands
5. Norway

How can I attain happiness in my life?

True and lasting happiness must come from within. Personal happiness is the sole responsibility of each individual. While it is true that you cannot control certain facts and events in your life, it is important to realize that you can choose how to respond emotionally to those facts and events.  Happiness has been described as positive emotions and positive activities. While I cannot define your personal happiness, I’d like to leave you with the words of the great George Bernard Shaw. I think he has summed up my definition of happiness.

The Joy of Life

This is the true joy of life. The being used for a purpose
recognized by yourself as a mighty one. The being a force
of nature instead of a feverish and selfish clod of ailments
and grieving senses complaining that the world will not
devote itself to making you happy.
I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole
community and that as long as I live it is my privilege
to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used
up when I die. For the harder I work, the more I live.
I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief
candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I
have got to hold up for the moment, and I want to make
it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on
to future generations.

-George Bernard Shaw