In today's busy world, happiness seems to have become the ultimate goal that everyone pursues. But what is the real secret to happiness? Happiness is not just an unanswered question; it is about how we value our lives and understand our needs and desires. With the in-depth research of psychology and philosophy, people have gradually realized that happiness is a multifaceted concept that covers multiple levels of physiology, psychology, society and emotion.
Happiness is a state that combines contentment, joy, and a sense of meaning in life.
On the one hand, happiness can be viewed as a subjective psychological state, meaning that it depends on the individual's internal feelings. Many psychologists measure people's self-reported performance through questionnaires, which can reflect their evaluation of the quality of life. For example, a person may care about health, family, or career success, which in turn affect their overall well-being.
The core of happiness lies in people's feelings, whether it is joy, satisfaction or affirmation of life.
On the other hand, happiness can also be analyzed from an objective perspective, including those factors that can be quantified, such as income, education, health status, etc. These external factors not only affect a person's quality of life, but also have a profound impact on psychological well-being. Studies have shown that good living conditions can significantly improve an individual's happiness index.
Scientific research shows that happiness is not only a personal psychological state, but is also affected by biological factors. For example, endogenous molecules such as dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins have an important impact on emotions and happiness. The balance of these molecules may also be regulated by lifestyle factors, such as exercise and a good diet.
While individual efforts promote happiness, social support and a social environment are also crucial.
Therefore, the formation of happiness is a complex process. It not only includes one's own inner feelings, but also involves the support of others and the social environment. The strength of social relationships and the sense of security in the surrounding society will have an impact on a person's subjective well-being. Here we must acknowledge that happiness is often built on good interpersonal relationships and shared life experiences.
Most psychological theories believe that human needs are hierarchical. Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory emphasizes that a person must first satisfy physiological needs before talking about security, social needs, self-esteem, and ultimately achieving the needs of self-realization. In this process, personal satisfaction and the harmony of the external environment will directly affect the intensity of happiness.
For some people, the pursuit of success and material gain may be the path to happiness, but for others, inner peace and understanding of life are equally indispensable.
Different theories of happiness, such as hedonism and desire theory, offer different interpretations of happiness. Hedonism believes that happiness and pleasure are the only sources of happiness, while desire theory emphasizes satisfying individual needs and desires. This means that the source of happiness varies from person to person, and everyone may define and pursue their own happiness in their own way. When happiness varies based on subjective experience, can objective measures truly capture everyone’s sense of happiness?
Recent studies have also shown that economic status, education level and social support have a significant impact on a person's perceived happiness. Even in adverse times, such as during a pandemic, financial stability can boost people’s mood to a certain extent. Therefore, the association between material or economic problems and well-being cannot be ignored, reflecting a mutually dependent relationship.
"Positive psychology" proposed by social psychologist Martin Seligman emphasizes the need to understand the core of human happiness and strive to find factors in life that can bring positive emotions. These factors are said to include meaningful work, good social connections, a fulfilling life, and an inner sense of accomplishment. In his view, putting aside those single results and pursuing a comprehensive quality of life is the key to maintaining happiness.
So-called happiness is not a single source of joy, but a complex that covers all aspects of life.
In summary, the secret of happiness lies in the interaction of multiple factors, whether it is material foundation, social network or inner self-cognition. In the process of pursuing happiness, everyone often realizes that it cannot be truly achieved by relying on only one factor. Finally, when you face various challenges in life, have you ever reflected on what kind of happiness you are really pursuing?