Happiness is a feeling or state of well-being and contentment.
The Happiness Index is a comprehensive survey
instrument that assesses happiness, wellbeing, and aspects of sustainability
and resilience.
Domains
of Happiness
- The Happiness Index measures life satisfaction, the feeling of happiness, and other happiness domains:
psychological well-being, health, time balance, community, social support,
education, arts and culture, environment, governance, material well-being, and
work.
● Psychological Well-Being: optimism, senses
of purpose and of accomplishment;
● Health: energy level and ability to perform everyday activities;
● Time Balance:
enjoyment, feeling rushed, and sense of leisure;
● Community: sense of belonging, volunteerism, and sense of safety;
● Social Support:
satisfaction with friends and family, feeling loved, and feeling lonely;
● Education, Arts, and Culture: access to cultural and educational events and diversity;
● Environment: access to nature, pollution,
and conservation;
● Governance: trust in
government, sense of corruption, and competency;
● Material Well-Being: financial security and
meeting basic needs; and
● Work: compensation, autonomy, and
productivity. (Happiness Alliance, 2014c)
As
per the report of the World Happiness Index in the year 2021, here are the
world’s happiest countries:
1.
Finland.
2.
Denmark.
3.
Switzerland.
4.
Iceland.
5.
The
Netherlands.
6.
Norway.
7.
Sweden.
8.
Luxembourg.
9.
New
Zealand.
10.
Austria.
Role of Gyri and Sulci in improving happiness
Gyri (ridges) and sulci (grooves) on the brain's surface are crucial for cognitive function and happiness, not directly by improving happiness, but by enabling the brain to process information more effectively and create a foundation for mental well-being. They increase the brain's surface area, allowing for more neurons to be packed into the cortex, and they form divisions and boundaries within the brain. They are essential for creating a brain environment that supports efficient information processing, healthy neurotransmitter regulation, and overall cognitive function, all of which contribute to a sense of well-being and happiness.
Ø
Increasing
happiness in your life:
Ø
Focus
upon problem-solving, not just venting
Ø
Take
time to build quality relationships with supportive people
Ø
Count
your blessings and practice gratitude
Ø
Take
time to engage in random acts of kindness
Ø
Respond
actively and constructively, celebrating when others share good news with you
Ø
Attend
to others mindfully, and practice compassion and empathy
Ø
Be
kind to yourself, rather than overly self-critical or perfectionistic
Ø
Savor
experiences because this will intensify and prolong your enjoyment of them
Ø
Set
meaningful goals for yourself that provide structure and purpose, give a sense
of identity and increase self-esteem
Ø
Build
intrinsic motivation, rather than just relying upon doing things to please
others
Ø
Seek
healthy challenges, stretching your abilities just a bit beyond your comfort
zone to realize your potential
Ø
Appreciate
what you already have rather than focusing only upon what you still desire
Ø Avoid the temptation
to complain and reinforce negativity; instead, cultivate optimism and practice
positively reframing your circumstances
Happiness can vary
from one person to the next. It involves a balance between momentary pleasure
and longer-term striving toward goals.
The Buddhist
definition of “happiness” is the state of mind of contentment, satisfaction, inner
peace, serenity, and joy, which comes from eliminating all the negative
feelings and thoughts which irritate us, like anger hate, rage, jealousy, fear,
worry, restlessness, Envy, lust, and craving.
It's
very easy to be happy, but we search happiness in the wrong places.
We
think happiness comes from the best, but the fact is that-
“Happinessis a beautiful flower which grows out of the seeds of simplicity, in the ground
of nothingness, fed with indifference towards circumstances”
Everyone
strives hard to be happy in life because each and every person deserves to be
happy. It is not impossible to gain happiness but consistent effort should be
made to achieve goals which in turn makes one happy. Find reasons to be happy
and avoid reasons to be sad, learn to tame your mind because you are not its
servant.
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I would
really recommend these books to anyone. These books are very different.
1)
SELF – HEALING REGIMEN …… from illness to wellness
2)
DOSE – The happy brain chemicals.
“Don't hope for a life without problems.
There's no such thing. Instead, hope for a life full of good problems”
