Can happiness truly be measured in numbers?
Happiness is a subjective matter that is measured in perspective. While one person might coin happiness as getting involved in an extreme sport, another might find joy in relaxing on their couch with a warm cup of ginger tea. Regardless of how you define happiness, its significance to one’s well-being cannot be neglected.
In our fast-paced world, everyone seems to be in search of happiness, even if it seems elusive at times. How do we know if we are truly happy? How do we judge? With this in mind, psychologists have crafted a self-assessing questionnaire to gauge the levels of happiness. Martin Seligman, widely regarded as the pioneer of positive psychology, formulated his theory of authentic happiness, suggesting that happiness could be categorized into three different elements – positive emotion, engagement, and meaning.Â
While working on this article, I stumbled across a framework known as the Happiness Quotient (HQ). This model provides a structure for individuals to evaluate their happiness objectively based on several factors. Seven quotients that establish the foundation of the happiness quotient:
- Emotional happiness:
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According to psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky happiness can be determined 50% by genetics, 10% by external circumstances and 40% by a person’s internal state of mind, otherwise known as emotional happiness. So, what does it mean to experience emotional happiness? It encompasses experiencing a consistent state of well-being and contentment.
Emotional happiness can be attained by fostering meaningful relationships, engaging in pursuits that provide a sense of purpose, and embracing one’s strengths and flaws, among other things. Additionally, being able to live in the moment without being overly consumed by worries of the future is a crucial factor. In essence, emotional happiness is not just about feeling good all the time, but about having a balanced, fulfilling life where positive emotions outweigh negative ones.
- Physical Happiness:
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Most research suggests that the connection between happiness and health is bidirectional. It’s like that age old paradox – which came first, the chicken or the egg? Do higher levels of well-being result in improved physical health, or does better physical health enhance overall well-being? While the definitive answer remains unclear, being physically healthy doesn’t harm your happiness. Physical happiness can be achieved by maintaining a body free from chronic pain or illness.
This can be accomplished through regular physical activities such as jogging, swimming, yoga, sports or even dancing. Eating a balanced diet, ensuring adequate sleep, and keeping the body well-hydrated can all promote physical well-being. The most crucial aspect of physical happiness, however, is feeling comfortable and confident in your own skin.
- Social Happiness:
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In the 2007 biographical adventure drama Into the Wild, Chris McCandless says, “Happiness is only real when shared.” While one can derive happiness from within themselves, it can verily become short-lived if there is no one to share it with. Studies indicate that those who lack social engagement tend to experience higher levels of stress and consequently produce more cortisol, commonly referred to as the stress hormone. Forming supportive connections with family and friends, having meaningful conversations, and building core memories over shared interests can enable social happiness. Offering encouragement to those around you can help make a positive impact in the lives of others and can create a sense of belongingness.
- Occupational happiness:
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As Andrew Naber, an industrial-organizational psychologist and data scientist notes, an average person spends 90,000 hours at work throughout their lifetime. That is roughly equivalent to 10.2 years. In stark contrast, people typically spend 368 days socializing with friends, on an average, over the course of their lifetime. While some individuals are fortunate enough to be able to work in positions that align with their passion, many are not. In fact, many people dread Mondays simply because it marks the beginning of another workweek.
What strategies can one employ to address this challenge? Effectively managing a balance between professional and personal responsibilities can surely help. Establishing strong connections with colleagues, being acknowledged for contributions and having opportunities for professional growth can contribute to occupational happiness. Moreover, a safe, healthy, and comfortable work environment can lead to increased productivity, improved performance, and promote overall well-being.Â
- Intellectual happiness:
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Intellectual happiness arises from participating in mentally stimulating activities that enrich the mind. Such activities can enhance one’s cognitive abilities which are often linked to having better coping mechanisms when faced with life’s challenges. Intellectual happiness can be boosted by engaging in discussions and thought-provoking debates. Besides acquiring new knowledge and skills, reading up on unfamiliar topics, solving analytical problems and generating innovative ideas are some of the more refined ways to stimulate one’s intellect.Â
- Environmental happiness:
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Environmental happiness derives less from within, and more from the people around you. Both living and non-living elements can shape one’s environmental happiness. For instance, would you find it enjoyable if your neighbors consistently played loud music, or your neighborhood was littered with trash? If the answer is no, then you are not satisfied with the environment around you.
One can take up initiatives to keep the community parks clean, ensure proper waste disposal and conserve natural resources to preserve a pleasant atmosphere within the community. Furthermore, we need to be respectful of each other’s spaces. Organizing events such as morning walks can build harmonious friendships with neighbors, which in turn can help promote environmental well-being. We can all contribute little by little to uplift our environment.
- Spiritual happiness:
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Most people associate spirituality with religion, but in all honesty, it represents a broader concept connecting life to purpose and a person’s core values. Spiritual happiness can be obtained through finding meaning in your existence. It emerges solely from the practice of knowing oneself truly with a clear sense of direction. This can lead to a serene state of mind, liberated from stress and anxiety. Practices such as yoga, meditation or even simply spending some time amidst nature can contribute to having an evolved spiritual happiness. Being part of a spiritual or religious community that shares similar beliefs and values might benefit too. Moreover, cultivating kindness and empathy towards oneself and others can help sustain a sense of inner peace and harmony.
Although happiness is completely inherent and unique to each individual, focusing on each of these quotients can bring about a more structured approach to reaching a constant state of happiness.Â
Keep in mind, happiness should be viewed as a journey, and so it’s essential to embrace the journey by discovering what brings you joy with each passing day.