The Equation For Happiness
My therapist told me last week to come up with a list of things that would make me happy and start figuring out a list on how to get there. How to be happy: the tutorial. I didn’t realize that being happy was such an easy equation. This plus that equals happy? You could go with the scientific answer of the chemicals in the brain that produce happiness dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins. Then the emotional response would be close relationships, a great job or hobby that you love, and helping others. You hear the term often, “money can’t buy happiness” however, sometimes it stands to reason that people struggling financially may be able to become happier if they didn’t have as much financial stress throughout their life.
Then there’s me. My happy list, the tutorial to my happiness.
My answer is, What even is happiness? How do you get to happy. Is there a way to be completely happy in every single aspect of your life, even through the struggle? Now I get that happiness is different to each person and what is happiness for one person may not be the answer for happiness for another however, is there something that gives off happiness across all walks of life?
I found a list on marcandangel.com an article titled “10 Actions that Always Bring Happiness.”
1. Appreciate what you have
2. Focus on things that truly matter
3. Define your own meaning of life, and pursue it.
4. Embrace life’s challenges
5. Find the balance that allows you to be who you truly are
6 .Love your body enough to take care of it.
7. Limit your time with negative people.
8. Treat others the way you want to be treated.
9. Set a good example.
10. Accept what is, and live for the possibilities that lie ahead.
Is this it though? the equation to creating happiness “Fake it til you make it?” If you had one special thing in the equation on the answer to happiness, what is the one thing you can’t live without?