5 DIFFERENT KINDS OF HAPPINESS IN LIFE
There are five distinct forms of happiness that one might encounter throughout their lifetime.
An emotional state that may be identified by the presence of pleasure, contentment, or a sense of satisfaction is referred to as “happiness.”
However, were you aware that there are many distinct forms of happiness? You got it correctly. One person’s idea of happiness may not be another’s idea of happiness at all.
Not all forms of happiness are the same, and one might even experience happiness in varying degrees and phases. This article will cover:
I am going to talk to you about the five different kinds of happiness, the phases of happiness, and, most importantly, concrete activities that you can do to construct a plan for your happiness.
The Five Dimensions Of Joy
If you are able to identify the specific kind of joy that you are feeling, you will be better able to enjoy your life, the other people in it, and the things that you have right now. The following is a list of the five distinct forms of joy that are available to you throughout your life.
1. Pride
Have you ever been successful in completing a difficult project? Or, have you ever donated your time to a charitable organization that you really support? These occurrences most likely caused you to feel a sense of pride in yourself.
One may experience happiness through pride. Quite frequently, when we think of pride, we think of unpleasant feelings associated with excessive competition.
On the other hand, taking pleasure in one’s own achievements is a wonderful source of enjoyment that should be savored.
You may feel proud of your accomplishments in your career, your family, or anything else that makes you feel like you’ve accomplished anything.
2. Relationship Development and Maintenance
There are a lot of people who are certain in their belief that wealth is the key to a happy existence. On the other hand, in 1938, a team of Harvard researchers began a study in which they tracked the lives of 268 male Harvard students for a total of 75 years.
Using questionnaires and in-person interviews, the one-of-a-kind Harvard Grant Study gathered information about men’s lives. They investigated every facet, including interpersonal connections, political and religious beliefs, coping mechanisms, and alcohol use, and they came up with astonishing findings.
The results of the research demonstrated, as noted by Robert Waldinger, a psychiatrist who is also a professor at Harvard Medical School, that “our relationships and how happy we are in our relationships have a profound effect on our health.”
He went on to say that “taking care of your body is vital, but caring for your relationships is also a sort of self-care” (while “taking care of your body is crucial”).
In the same TED Talk that Waldinger gave in 2015, he also said that “those who are more socially engaged with family, friends, and community are happier.” People who are less well-connected tend to have worse physical health and tend to die younger than those who are more connected.
In his book on the research project entitled “Triumphs of Experience: The Men of the Harvard Grant Study,” George Vaillant, a psychiatrist at Harvard and the head of the Harvard Grant Study from 1972 to 2004, said the following in his book on the research project:
“There are two pillars of pleasure.” The first is love. The other is finding a way to deal with the challenges of life that does not result in a withdrawal of affection.
According to him, many of the things that people felt were important in terms of happiness really don’t matter at all. Many people, for instance, are under the impression that wealth and social position are necessary components of achievement. The two items you mentioned were at the very bottom of the list.
3. Contentment
Being satisfied with what you have, who you are, and where you are may help you achieve a state of contentment. It means having an appreciation for the truth that exists in the here and now.
It is acknowledging and being grateful for what you already have and where you are in life.
Being content does not imply having any further needs or wants. It just indicates that you are content with your current situation and have faith that things will work out for the best in the future.
Many individuals in this day and age have the misconception that life is some kind of competition in which they must always come out on top. It is imperative that we get a more luxurious automobile, a larger home, a higher-paying job, or more funds.
As soon as we accomplish one thing, we immediately begin working toward the next goal. Rarely do many people take the time to just unwind, reflect, and express gratitude for what they have accomplished in their lives.
Being content may bring about mental calm and a positive attitude, both of which are conducive to personal development and progress.
This in no way negates the fact that you have goals and ambitions for the future. But even if you accept the present, you may still have hope for a brighter tomorrow.
Complacency is the opposite of contentment, which simply implies being at ease with the current moment.
Because of this, contentment is conducive to happiness. When a person is able to accept their circumstances, they open the door to a certain kind of happiness for themselves.
Life is filled with greater happiness when one is appreciative of all they already possess rather than wasting their time dwelling on what they do not have.
4. Fun
Even if we are adults, that does not imply that we have to make work the primary focus of our lives. In our busy, contemporary lives, many of us devote so much of our attention to our jobs and the responsibilities of our families that we never seem to have time for simple enjoyment.
We stopped having fun at some point during our transition from youth to adulthood.
When we finally have some time off from work or school, we are more inclined to vegetate in front of the television or computer than to do anything enjoyable with that time.
Having fun can make life more joyful; it can reduce stress; it can accelerate learning; and it can connect you to other people and the environment around you.
Having fun is one of the best ways to experience good emotions like pride, optimism, and enthusiasm, all of which contribute to overall happiness.
The majority of individuals participate in various hobbies. Having hobbies may help us make our lives more enjoyable. It makes little difference what we do as long as it affords us an adequate quantity of enjoyment on a daily or weekly basis.
It might be anything from cooking to collecting to playing sports. In any case, it’s an easy way to spruce up your life and give yourself a vacation from the monotonous activities that make up daily life.
Travel is a wonderful activity for a lot of people. In the end, having a good time is all that matters, and that includes anything from seeing new and interesting cultures to sunbathing and skiing.
5. Gratitude
Gilbert Keith Chesterton, better known by his pen name G.K. Chesterton, was a prolific English author, poet, philosopher, and other sorts of thinker. He is credited with coining the phrase, “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”
It’s possible that making the decision to be grateful might be a simple and convenient strategy to increase your level of happiness.
Being grateful has a significant and beneficial effect on one’s psychological well-being as well. It boosts good emotions, contributes to an overall upbeat disposition, and makes us more hopeful.
In her work as a marriage and family therapist, Dr. Amy E. Keller, PsyD, makes sure not to overlook the significance of having a purpose in one’s life.
When you’re happy and you believe your life has a purpose, you’ll have a greater appreciation for the things you already have.
She explains, “When I speak about happiness with clients, I stress feeling useful and connected, developing fulfillment, and fostering a sense of self-worth in addition to merely experiencing pleasure, which is, of course, also a role.” Happiness may be supported by gratitude in ways that are connected to all of these.
The cultivation of a thankful attitude is a contributor to the enjoyment we experience in our lives.
The Five Levels of Happiness
The primary factors that contribute to a person’s level of happiness shift significantly over their lifetime. What made us happy when we were five years old definitely won’t make us happy when we are 25 years old, and it will likely change again when we are 35, 45, and so on.
Therefore, it is essential to have a good understanding of the stage of happiness you are now in as well as the reasons why something from your past is no longer a source of enjoyment for you.
1. The Happiness Of Childhood
When we were youngsters, we had our first encounters with joy and pleasure. When we are young, happiness comes easily and is easily expressed.
Obviously, very few individuals have any recollection of the times before humans started to communicate verbally. On the other hand, when we observe youngsters, we can see the delight that they exude.
The normal and natural condition is one that allows for the expression of pleasure, love, and happiness.
2. “Socialized Happiness”
As soon as we are able to communicate verbally and comprehend the meaning of the word “no,” we start the process of being socialized.
As we are brought up, we are taught the rules of our parents, our schools, our communities, and the larger world. In addition to this, we become used to the emotional highs and lows that come with following the rules.
When we accomplish something, we are socially accepted on an emotional level in the form of praise and approval.
When we do not behave in accordance with the regulations, we are given reprimands and critiques, which both provide unpleasant emotional input for us.
We get into the habit of thinking about ourselves and evaluating ourselves in the same manner that others do when they consider us and pass judgment on us.
Additionally, we have the ability to inflict on ourselves the same feelings that others have inflicted upon us via their criticisms and compliments.
When we are subjected to criticism from other people, we absorb their bad emotions, and as a result, we eventually teach ourselves to generate those same feelings about ourselves.
3. “Conditional Happiness”
When we have reached our full potential as social beings, we will no longer need the guidance of others on what actions we should and should not take.
Because we have amassed such a huge library of rules and have been conditioned to associate certain behaviors with certain verbal, emotional, and sometimes physical repercussions and benefits, we no longer need anybody to remind us of them.
We make sure to stay on the path of “shoulds” and steer clear of “shouldn’ts,” which are the prerequisites of our self-perceived pleasure.
Even when we are in a condition of self-socialization, it is still enjoyable for us when we are acknowledged or rewarded.
When another person is attracted to us and wants us, it gives us a psychological and emotional lift. When we are provided with unfavorable feedback, we also respond emotionally.
The fulfillment of these requirements is essential to our pleasure.
4. The Transition To Happiness
Akin to the rebellion we engaged in as adolescents, we are now revolting against the socially acceptable ideas and practices of our society.
We are not putting ourselves in opposition to what another individual says. We are defying what is being instilled in us and what is being told to us by our minds over and over again.
In addition to this, it is distinct because it is a deliberate act of defiance in the face of the fact that our feelings have become reflexive.
Another distinction is that a significant portion of what our mind provides us is beneficial, advantageous, and essential; hence, we have an obligation to preserve that component.
However, we really want to free ourselves from the critical and negative ideas that are preventing us from naturally expressing our love for one another.
In an attempt to free themselves of negative ideas and alter their fundamental worldview, a person may start engaging in activities such as meditation, yoga, reading literature on self-help, and practicing mindfulness.
5. True Contentment And Joy
Those who have been able to transcend the conditioned pleasure modes with which they were indoctrinated and who are able to express themselves freely are the ones who really experience true happiness.
This genuine expression has the same sense of excitement and uninhibitedness as that of a young kid.
At this moment, one’s capacity to experience pleasure, appreciation, love, and respect is independent of the condition of external stimuli.
It is a way of thinking, a viewpoint, and an emotional state that have been trained and are maintained on the inside.
Making a Lifelong Happiness Strategy for Yourself
In the same way that you may get better results in the kitchen by following a recipe, you can also increase your level of pleasure by being more purposeful and thoughtful in your activities.
1. Adopting A Growth Mentality
Cultivate a growth mentality with the goal of transforming your life into something you enjoy doing. It’s about having faith that you can accomplish your goals and triumph over obstacles, even if it takes some time and effort. A growth mindset is the belief that one can improve with continued effort and experience.
2. Volunteer
Gaining a sense of purpose and increasing one’s level of happiness may both be accomplished through the act of volunteering. Research has shown that participating in volunteer work may boost your happiness levels and give you a sense of success.
3. Make Each Day A Happy One
There are moments when joy may be discovered in the simplest, most commonplace of things.
You should make an effort to pay more attention to them and realize that getting some exercise, appreciating the aroma of that first cup of coffee in the morning, spending some time reading, or even working on a job project with a good probability of success may all give you that happy sensation.
4. Exercise Gratitude
Taking some time to reflect on the things in your life for which you are grateful and putting those thoughts down on paper is an excellent way to awaken joy deep inside. Keeping a diary for as little as five minutes may have a significant and beneficial influence on your mental and physical health.
5. Disconnect And Power Down All Electronic Devices
You may improve your connection with the people around you by reducing the amount of time you spend on electronic communication, such as email, text messaging, and social media. You will also feel significantly better as a result of doing this.
6. Try Out A New Activity
People who engage in risky, novel activities and amass a variety of one-of-a-kind experiences are more likely to recall happy memories than bad ones in the future.
The more pleasant memories we keep, the less weight we carry with us. Therefore, do not hesitate to sign up for those guitar classes now. Make plans to visit Antigua soon! For the sake of your pleasure, carry them out.
7. Make An Effort To Appreciate Yourself
Self-criticism is a path that ultimately leads to failure. You may, however, make yourself more productive, more powerful, and more at ease by showing compassion toward yourself.
If you find that you tend to have negative thoughts about yourself, try writing down such thoughts the next time they occur.
You will be able to train yourself to stop making such comments to yourself in your brain if you first realize how cruel they seem when written out on paper.
8. Put An End To Apologizing All The Time
According to scientific research, those who don’t apologize for their mistakes report higher levels of happiness compared to those who do apologize. According to the findings of several studies, when we choose not to apologize, we end up feeling more powerful and entitled.
9. Make Time For Your Loved Ones
Foster the connections you have. One of the top five regrets people have on their deathbed is that they lost touch with their friends and family.
10. Have A Good Time
Begin to live in the now and give up looking for the ideal time to do anything; instead, be spontaneous and have some fun!
Take a break, stop waiting for all of the work to be finished, the home to be cleaned, and the dog to be walked, and go do something enjoyable instead!
You are cheating yourself out of the simple joys that life has to offer when you believe that real enjoyment can only be had at monumental events or during well-orchestrated activities.
A Few Parting Thoughts
In the grand scheme of things, adding more of the things that bring us pleasure into our lives is all that is required to craft a happy existence. If you want to make it a part of your life, you have to put some effort into growing it.
Start now by making the decisions that will lead to a happy life and a legacy of pleasure for future generations.
Happiness is not something that can be attained through travel, acquisition, earning, or eating. The spiritual experience of filling each and every moment with love, kindness, and thankfulness is the definition of happiness.
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