How Do You Define Happiness
What exactly is happiness? This might seem like a weird question, but do you even know how to define happiness? Is happiness the same to you as it would be to other people? What is the point of happiness? Or does it even make a difference in our lives? Happiness does play a pretty important role in our lives, and it can have a significant impact on how we live. Although many different researchers have yet to pin down exactly what the definition of happiness is, or agree on a framework for happiness, there is a lot that we have learned about happiness during the last couple of decades.
Let’s look at the definition of happiness from the Oxford English Dictionary, which says that happiness is “the state of being happy”. Not exactly the best definition. So, let’s dig a little deeper. Oxford’s definition of happy has more to it. Happy is “feeling or showing pleasure or contentment”. From this definition, there are some important points about happiness.
- Happiness is a state, not a trait. It is not a long-lasting, permanent feature or personality trait, but it is a fleeting and changeable state.
- Happiness is associated with feeling pleasure or contentment, which means that happiness should not be confused with joy, ecstasy, bliss or other intense feelings.
- Happiness can be a feeling or showing, so happiness is not necessarily an internal or external experience, but it can be both at the same time.
This gives us a better understanding of what happiness can be, or at least what the Oxford Dictionary defines it as. However, this is not the end all be all of the definition of happiness.
What Does Happiness Mean In Positive Psychology?
In positive psychology, the definition of happiness will also change depending on who you are asking. In positive psychology, happiness can also be known as subjective wellbeing or SWB. Some think that happiness is one of the main core components of SWB, while others think that happiness is SWB. So, you will usually find SWB used as a shorthand for happiness in writings. Speaking of literature, you will find many different references to SWB almost everywhere you look.
Can Happiness Be Defined Scientifically?
With so many definitions of happiness out there, it should be no surprise that happiness is hard to define scientifically. However, we can be sure that there is disagreement about what exactly happiness is. There are three main ways that happiness can be approached in positive psychology:
- Happiness as a global assessment of life and all of its facets
- Happiness as a recollection of your past emotional experiences
- Happiness as an aggregation of multiple emotional reactions across time
Although positive psychologists can agree on what happiness feels like, for example, being satisfied with life, feeling positive emotions, being in a good mood, or feeling enjoyment, etc., researchers find it hard to agree on the scope of happiness.
If you are looking for help on your journey to find happiness, Ashish from The Calm Mind is here to help. Ashish is a qualified happiness coach who has helped many clients find solutions for their problems and avenues to a better mindset. Give Ashish a call today to book your first appointment.