Aspect of Positive Psychology - Essay Example

? Happiness Happiness The twentieth century has seen the cropping of many movements to address different problems in the modernsociety. As the human rights movement and environmental movement arose, so did the positive psychology movement. Positive psychology is concerned about the study of conditions and processes that help people or institutions flourish (Easterlin, 2001). In this movement, many aspects of positive psychology were studied and discussed among which was happiness. Happiness is a state of mind that frees it from agitation. State of happiness involves numerous positive emotional responses such as cheerfulness, joy, optimism and serenity (Ryff, 1989). Happiness can be a state of pleasure or a prolonged state of well being, engagement or contentment. It discourages occurrence of negative emotions as it is characterized with satisfaction in life and continued positive view of all things in one’s environment. This means that happiness is an important aspect of healthy living and it should be embraced for the positive side of life to be realized (Ryff, 1989). A thorough research has shown that happiness can be increased by getting more pleasure out of life; being more engaged with constructive tasks and having a meaningful life. Many scholars have tried to know what happiness entails and consequently have devised several concepts and ideas that complement each other in the attainment of a commendable state of happiness (Ryff, 1989). For one to acquire a good state of happiness should have a virtuous life, material satisfaction, blessings, contentment , hope for something better, pleasure, inner peace of mind and a continuous positive emotional state. It is not easy to attain any of these concept but some are easier than others. For instance, it is easier to attain material satisfaction and pleasure than attaining virtues life as well as peace of mind. The life poses great challenges in attaining all the concepts of happiness together but the few we achieve at any time of our life are responsible for our happiness. The concepts of happiness are interrelated and therefore achieving one helps in achievement of another. For instance, achieving material satisfaction helps one feel contented, have pleasure as well as creating confidence of expecting something better in life. Happiness is not always the live we live every single moment of our life but there are many ways that can enable us to be happy. The research conducted has revealed that most of the people obtain happiness through positive relationships with their loved ones, working for different types of success, getting involved into hobbies, attending to their pets and travelling (Sheldon & Lyubomirsky, 2006). Some moments of our lives are surrounded by spells of bad moods. This calls for devising of appropriate mechanism to redeem ourselves from such moods. The many strategies we use to cure our moods include: talking to people, controlling our thoughts, listening to music, resting, exercising and doing things that bring pleasure (Sheldon & Lyubomirsky, 2006). The best strategies of controlling ones bad moods involves creating positive environment like getting praise, remembering positive things, fulfilling your basic needs or getting a small present. Sweet music and humor are igniters of good mood as well. These strategies have been used extensively by people who work for their happiness to persist (Sheldon and Lyubomirsky, 2006). Happiness has been the key to the various successes of different people either directly or indirectly. It has been in the front line in the whole process of evolution across the world. It is responsible for the positive emotional mindsets that widen ones range of thoughts and actions. This way happiness fosters exploration and creativity. This leads people to new ideas and experiences which are resources containing knowledge necessary in fostering improvement of the world and hence new evolution. Happiness is a key to proper brain functionality. The left and the right sides of the brain work variably depending on mood variations. While the right side of the brain is always at work despite mood variation, the left side of the brain is only activated when one is happy (Ojanen, 2008). The state of happiness facilitates balance of the brain activity between the left and the right hence facilitating increased well being. This is because the balance of brain activity between the right and the left enhances meditation, relaxation and mindfulness therapy which facilitates well being (Ojanen, 2008). Everyone needs to embrace happiness so as to activate proper brain functionality in order to create a continuous state of well being. Happiness is as well important in determining the activity of genes that influence satisfaction in life. For one to feel satisfied in life, there are genes which are responsible. These genes are activated by the state of happiness of individuals (Ojanen, 2008). The study conducted by comparing identical twins has shown that the activity of the genes that determines the well being of an individual are different despite great genetic similarity between them. The varied states of happiness between twins clarify the different gene activities hence different states of satisfaction in life. Happiness coordinates memories and therefore it is responsible for one’s mental, physical and emotional activities in life. The stream of thought determines the one’s state of happiness at every moment. Happiness influences ones stream of thoughts towards positive side of life hence facilitating one’s well being (Ojanen, 2008). Ones health is greatly influenced by the state of happiness. People who are continually happy are associated with longer life and superior health (Easterlin, 2001). They are rarely affected by stress related diseases such as heart diseases. The things that affect health negatively also affect happiness negatively. This inter-relatedness of happiness and health means that for one to have good health he/she should possess qualities that makes him/her happy. How happy someone is determines how healthy someone is. This is because happiness improves one’s immunity and facilitates better body functionality which in turn improves health (Easterlin, 2001). Happiness is a factor of several habits and therefore for it to be ensured these habits should be cultivated. Grudges should not be kept. This is because grudges reduce happiness by creating unfriendly relationships and environments (James, 2012). One should be practice kindness as well. Being kind makes someone feel good because kind acts helps in lighting the pleasure centers in the brain hence helping one to be happy. Giving thanks is a key towards happiness. This is because expression of gratitude promotes better health as well as creating greater satisfaction in life (James, 2012). This cultivates someone’s happiness by creating a feeling of being blessed. Having friends is very important in one’s life. This is because it creates social connections that make someone feel better. In addition, happiness is cultivated by regular exercises. Regular exercises increase self esteem hence reducing anxiety and stress. This acts as an instant happiness booster. The real and complete happiness has been shown to revolve around self acceptance, positive relation with other, autonomy, environmental mastery, having a purpose in life and personal growth (James, 2012). Self acceptance makes one to have confidence in handling various matters in life. The perspective of life created by self acceptance results to happiness as is the basis of self actualization. Positive relation with others makes one have peace of mind in the company of other people. The continued happiness in company of people leads to better mental health. This is because it brings deeper friendship hence strong feelings of empathy and affection which are keys to happiness (Easterlin, 2001). Autonomy enables people to feel free from collective fears and the laws of masses. The freedom from the fear of norms which governs life creates a confidence within individuals hence establishing a self evaluation mechanism that judges their decisions hence developing courage in life’s way which is a source of happiness. Environmental mastery makes someone have appropriate conditions for mental health (Easterlin, 2001). Manipulating environmental situation positively to suite your means creates satisfaction and hence happiness. All these factors move hand in hand with having a purpose in life. The main purpose in every person’s life is working hard and directing all efforts in the view of acquiring greater happiness and fulfillment in life. This is portrayed by the fact that people engage in activities that promote highest potential of happiness. Creating environment that cultivates happiness helps in ensuring the good health and well being of an individual. For one to improve health, well being and cultivate better happiness is the first goal to concentrate on. This calls for all people to embrace happiness for the betterment of life. References Ojanen, M (2008) Can We Raise the Level of Happiness? University of Tampere, Department of Psychology Richard A. Easterlin (2001) Explaining happiness, Department of Economics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0253 Michael James (2012) Happiness and the Art of Being, An introduction to the philosophy and practice of the spiritual teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Sheldon, K and Lyubomirsky, S (2006) Achieving sustainable gains in happiness: change your actions, not your circumstances Journal of Happiness Studies (2006) 7:55_86 _ Springer 2006 DOI 10.1007/s10902-005-0868-8 Carol D. Ryff (1989) Happiness Is Everything, or Is It? Explorations on the Meaning of Psychological Well-Being Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 1989, Vol. 57, No. 6, 1069-1081 Read More