Have you ever thought about how perfectly placed our Earth is in the solar system? Scientists call it the “Goldilocks zone”, not too hot, not too cold, but just right for liquid water to exist.
Water is very important for all known forms of life and liquid water is one of the main reasons our planet is able to support life.
Imagine if Earth were a little closer to the Sun, like Venus, where temperatures are scorching, or a bit further away, like Mars, where it’s freezing. Neither extreme would support life as we know it.
Our planet is also protected by a magnetic field, an invisible shield that protects us from the harmful solar radiation and cosmic rays that constantly bombard our planet.
Without this magnetic field, these high-energy particles would strip away our atmosphere and leave the surface of Earth exposed to the harshness of space, much like what has happened on Mars.
Thanks to this protective barrier, we can walk outside without fear of radiation poisoning and enjoy a stable environment.
Speaking of the atmosphere, our planet has a unique blend of gases that are perfectly balanced for life. We breathe in oxygen and release carbon dioxide, while plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
This symbiotic relationship between plants and animals keeps our atmosphere stable and breathable. Additionally, our atmosphere acts as a blanket that traps just enough heat to keep our planet warm while also protecting us from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
The Moon, our constant companion, also plays a very important role. It has a gravitational pull that stabilizes Earth’s axial tilt, because of which we have relatively stable seasons.
It would be nearly impossible for life to survive without the Moon because the Earth’s tilt would be unstable and we would experience extreme climate changes.
Our soil, which is extremely rich in nutrients, is another gift from our planet. This fertile soil supports plant growth which forms the foundation of our food chain. Our agriculture depends on this fertile soil, and without it, we would struggle to produce enough food to sustain human populations.
We generally don’t think about all this, but if you take a moment to reflect on all these facts, you’ll realize how incredibly lucky we are to be born on Earth.
Our planet gives us everything we need to survive and thrive, a stable climate, abundant water, fertile soil, and breathable atmosphere.
The intricate balance of all these factors is the reason life exists on this planet, one that doesn’t exist anywhere in this universe.
But in today’s fast-paced world, we have started taking everything for granted. We rarely take a pause to appreciate the fact that how lucky we are to be born on this planet, and that too as human beings, the most advanced species to have ever lived.
We get so caught up in our day-to-day lives that we overlook this incredible gift of life given to us.
We don’t seem to find happiness in anything because everything has become so normal. We generally think that we’ll be happy if certain things happen, or we can be happy if we’re in a certain situation.
Why is it that happiness has become such an elusive concept? Why are we not always happy in our everyday life?
These are some interesting questions that we’ll try to answer in this blog. We’ll also discuss some practical tips on how to live a happy life.
Let’s get started on this journey of finding and keeping happiness.
Table of Contents
Why Are We Not Generally Happy?
1. Our Brains Aren’t Wired to Live a Happy Life
Have you ever wondered why happiness seems so hard to find and hold onto? It turns out that our brains aren’t actually wired to make us happy. Instead, they’ve evolved over millions of years to help us survive. Let’s explore this a bit more to understand why happiness can feel so elusive.
Our brains have a primary job, to keep us alive. Back when we humans lived in the wild, our survival depended on being constantly alert to danger.
We had to be aware of threats like predators, hostile environments, and scarcity of food. To survive, our brains developed to prioritize safety over happiness.
This survival mechanism is still deeply embedded in our brains. It’s called the “negativity bias.” This bias means that our brains are more sensitive to negative experiences than positive ones. It’s why we tend to remember the bad things that happen to us more vividly than the good things.
This negativity bias was important for survival in ancient times. If an early human remembered the pain of a dangerous encounter, they would be more likely to avoid similar threats in the future.
2. The Negativity Bias: A Barrier to a Happy Life
In today’s world, we don’t face the same physical threats as our ancestors, but our brains still operate with this negativity bias. Modern threats might not be predators, but they can be things like job stress, financial worries, or social conflicts.
Our brains are constantly scanning for problems and potential dangers and because of this, we focus more on what’s wrong rather than what’s right.
Another reason happiness can be hard to maintain is the brain’s reward system. Our brains release chemicals like dopamine when we achieve something which gives us a short burst of pleasure.
However, this feeling doesn’t last long. This system was designed to motivate our ancestors to keep striving for more food, better shelter, and other resources essential for survival.
While this drive was beneficial in ancient times, in modern life it often makes us find new things in the hope that they will bring happiness.
Once the initial thrill wears off, we find ourselves looking for the next thing, creating a cycle of temporary happiness followed by dissatisfaction.
You would have experienced this yourself, you might shop for one thing and before you know it, you’re looking for something new because the thing you just bought doesn’t give that same level of happiness anymore.
3. Social Connections and Comparisons and Their Impact on a Happy Life
Our social environments and the kind of connections we have also has a deep impact on our overall happiness. We humans are social creatures and we need meaningful connections with people around us to thrive.
But in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, meaningful social interactions can sometimes be scarce. We might have hundreds of friends on social media but feel lonely in real life. The lack of deep, genuine connections can leave us feeling unfulfilled and unhappy.
Additionally, our brains are prone to comparison. We constantly compare ourselves to others, whether it’s our looks, the things we own, or our achievements.
This habit of constantly comparing ourselves with others makes us focus more on what we don’t have, and we start envying others.
Social media exacerbate this problem because our own struggles seem insignificant after seeing the perfectly curated lives of others.
4. Lack of Mindfulness
Lastly, our brains are not naturally inclined towards mindfulness, which is the practice of being present in the moment.
Instead, our minds tend to wander to the past or the future, often dwelling on regrets or worries. This constant mental time travel prevents us from appreciating the present and finding joy in the here and now.
It’s not that we’re doing something wrong if we’re not always happy, it’s just how our brains have evolved.
What Is Happiness?
All of us know what is happiness because it is a feeling that each human being experiences, yet it is very hard to define.
From fear and anger to joy and love, we humans are blessed to experience a wide spectrum of emotions, and happiness is an emotion that is on the positive side of the spectrum.
But happiness is a very subjective concept because each of us has a different experience of this positive emotion. There are several factors at play that define the intensity of this emotion each one of us experiences.
These factors could be the environment you live in, your values, culture, upbringing, and personality.
So, what brings happiness to one person might not necessarily have the same effect on another.
What Are the Different Types of Happiness?
Happiness is a broad concept that has different forms and dimensions. We can only work towards living a happy life if we understand the different types of happiness.
Broadly, there are two main types of happiness, Eudaimonic and Hedonic. Each of them has a different perspective on what it means to be happy and how we can achieve it.
Eudaimonic Happiness
Eudaimonic happiness comes from the Greek word “eudaimonia,” which means flourishing or living in accordance with one’s true self. This type of happiness is about finding deep meaning and purpose in life.
It is a wider concept that goes beyond momentary pleasures and focuses on long-term well-being.
Eudaimonic happiness is about aligning your actions with your core values and beliefs. It is about finding meaning in life, about having a purpose, and doing activities that are in line with that purpose.
When you do things that are aligned with your core values and feel that your life has a purpose and that you are contributing to something larger than yourself. The sense of happiness and contentment you feel in doing that is both deep and lasting.
The other key aspect of eudaimonic happiness is personal growth. It means you continuously strive to become a better version of yourself by learning new skills and expanding your horizons.
It is not easy because it requires continuous efforts, dedication, and discipline from your end but the happiness you get after feeling that sense of accomplishment and having a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you is profound.
Hedonic Happiness
Hedonic happiness, on the other hand, is about pleasure and immediate satisfaction of desires. It is for the short term and it mainly focuses on increasing the life’s pleasures and decreasing the displeasures.
The reason for this is that hedonic happiness is tied to external circumstances and experiences. For example, going out for a fancy meal, taking a relaxing vacation, or just having fun with your friends.
While these experiences and pleasures are also important, they are temporary. Once that enjoyable activity is over, the feeling of happiness also goes away.
How to Become Happy in Life?
The first and foremost thing you need to understand when it comes to becoming happy in life is that happiness is not a destination where if you’ve once reached, you’ll always be happy. Rather, it’s a journey.
To become happy in life, we’ll have to find a balance between the two types of happiness we just discussed, eudaimonic happiness, which is about finding meaning and purpose, and hedonic happiness, which is about enjoying life’s pleasures.
We can only live a fulfilling and content life if we balance these two aspects.
How to Live a Truly Happy Life?
Now that we’ve understood that happiness is not just about those brief moments of joy, but about living a life of fulfillment and contentment, let’s look at some elements that can help us live a truly happy life.
Find Meaning and Purpose
The key to a truly happy life is in finding the meaning and purpose of your life, in finding your Ikegai. It means finding something that gives your life direction and significance.
This purpose can come from different areas, like your job, hobbies, relationships, or helping your community. Find what matters the most to you, and live a life that aligns with your values.
Most of us are employed in jobs we don’t love, but we do them because we want to make ends meet. But this can’t go on forever. Jobs should be a stepping stone to achieving something greater in life.
To find your purpose in life, think about these four things: what you love, what is it that you’re good at, what the world wants, and what you can be paid for. The intersection of all these areas is something you should pursue.
In our case, it is this blog. We love writing and working on this blog. The sense of contentment and joy we feel every time we post a new blog is far greater than any feeling we’ve experienced at our jobs.
There is so much negativity all around us, and we believe that by writing blogs about mindful living and self-improvement, we’re doing our bit to counter that negativity. With time, we’re hoping to monetize it through ads so we can quit our jobs to pursue this full-time.
It is a continuous effort and we devote time to this every day, we’ve been doing it for the past year and a half or so. And even though we’ve been giving this blog our time and money without receiving anything in return, the sense of fulfillment it gives us is greater than any job we’ve done so far.
Similarly, find something in your life that can be your Ikegai. Once you’ve found it, set short and long-term goals that align with it. These goals will give a sense of direction.
Your purpose or Ikegai doesn’t have to be huge or world-changing, it just needs to be something that feels right to you and gives your life meaning.
Build Long-lasting and Meaningful Relationships
We, humans, are naturally social creatures, and our relationships play a big role in our happiness. We need long-lasting and meaningful relationships that can give us emotional support and a sense of belonging, and with whom we can share and create new experiences.
So rather than having hundreds of friends on social media, focus on physical relationships with your family, friends, and colleagues that support and uplift you.
Also, quality matters over quantity, so it’s better to nurture a few deep, meaningful connections rather than spreading yourself too thin with many superficial ones.
Be present and engaged when you interact with others, listen actively, and show genuine interest and care for the people in your life.
Personal Growth and Self-Acceptance
Personal growth is a lifelong journey and is very important for living a truly happy life. It is about becoming a better version of yourself every day by learning new skills and expanding your knowledge and understanding of the world.
Try to find opportunities to become better in all aspects of your life. It could be getting a degree or learning a new skill through formal education, improving your health through exercise and diet, and exploring new hobbies and interests.
Set weekly, monthly, and yearly goals for yourself that challenge you and push you out of your comfort zone. Growth comes from stepping into the unknown and facing your fears. But the rewards you get at the end are worth it.
The other equally important aspect is self-acceptance. While we should always strive for growth and becoming better, we should also accept ourselves as we are, with all our flaws and imperfections.
Self-acceptance is about understanding our inherent worth and treating ourselves with kindness and compassion. It’s about understanding that mistakes and facing setbacks are a part of life and they don’t define us or diminish our value.
Speak to yourself as you would to a close friend, with encouragement and understanding. Celebrate your wins, both small and big, and be kind to yourself in difficult times.
Occasionally Indulge in Hedonic Pleasures
All the things we discussed above are very important for long-term happiness, but doing activities that give us short-term happiness is equally important for our overall well-being.
So, occasionally treat yourself with things and activities that bring you joy, and are refreshing. You can do whatever you like, whether it is a lunch date or dinner with friends and family, an adventure like hiking, a vacation, or a movie date.
These pleasurable experiences are necessary in today’s world because they help break the monotony of daily routines and provide a much-needed mental and emotional boost.
They remind us that life is not to be taken too seriously, it is not only about responsibilities and work but also about savoring the little moments that make us smile.
7 Tips to Be Happy in Life
There are certain things you’ll have to work on daily to live a happy life because finding happiness is a journey that is about cultivating positive habits and making conscious choices.
Here are seven practical tips to help you lead a happier and more fulfilling life.
1. Practice Mindfulness
Most of our worries, stress, and anxiety come from dwelling on the past and worrying about the uncertainties of the future. Mindfulness is a practice that can help you break free from this thought process.
Mindfulness encourages you to connect more deeply with your surroundings and appreciate life as it unfolds rather than thinking about what has happened or going to happen.
If you want to dive deeper into the practice of mindfulness, we have an entire series dedicated to it. Make sure to check those out after reading this blog.
- What Is Mindfulness And Why Mindfulness Is A Superpower
- What Is Mindful Living And How To Live Mindfully
- What Is Mindfulness Meditation And How To Do It
- How To Practice Mindfulness In Your Daily Life
2. Cultivate Gratitude
In today’s world, we spend most of our time on social media and see pictures of people visiting fancy places and living a luxury life. We often think our lives are not as happening and exciting as that of others.
But the reality is that so many people in this world would happily trade places with you if given a chance. If you’re reading this blog, you already have more than enough to lead a happy and fulfilling life.
Regularly practicing gratitude will help you realize this and it will shift your focus from what you don’t have to what you have so you can see and appreciate the good things in life.
Here are some blogs on gratitude to help you understand it better:
- What Is Gratitude And Why Is It So Important?
- 5 Simple Ways To Practice Gratitude Everyday
- Finding Silver Linings in Challenging Situations Through Gratitude
3. Find Your Purpose and Work Towards Your Goals
Even if you’re stuck in a job you don’t love, find what is it that you would want to do in the long run and something that doesn’t feel like work. Your purpose, or Ikigai, is what makes life meaningful and enjoyable.
Identify what you love to do, what you’re good at, and what the world needs. Set both short and long-term goals, and make progress towards them daily, no matter how small or big.
4. Journaling
One of the best things you can do to improve your overall well-being while also working towards your goals is journaling. Journaling will help you practice mindfulness, gratitude, affirmations, plan and organize your life, and work towards your goals.
Both of us have recently started journaling, and it has significantly impacted our lives since then.
We’ve even designed our own Mindful Living Digital Journal, which is a daily planner and tracker. We’ve designed it keeping all these aspects in mind. If you’re interested in starting your own journaling journey, we invite you to check out our journal.
A few blogs on journaling:
- What Is Journaling and What Are Its Benefits?
- What Are The Different Types of Journaling
- 5 Simple Steps to Start Journaling for Mental Health
- How and Why You Should Start a Gratitude Journal
- How to Journal for Personal Growth and Self-improvement
- What Is a Manifestation Journal and How to Journal for Manifestation
- How to Start a Health and Wellness Journal
- How Can Journaling Boost Your Productivity
- How to Journal for Overthinking
5. Take Care of Your Health and Well-Being
Good health is the foundation of a happy life. When you’re sick, everything else in life takes a back seat. So you must take very good care of your health and overall well-being.
Make sure you exercise regularly, consume a well-balanced diet, get good-quality sleep, and follow a healthy lifestyle.
6. Spend Quality Time with Friends and Family
Think about it, whenever anything good happens in our lives, we want to celebrate that with our friends and family. So, our relationships with our friends and family are one of the main reasons for us to be happy.
Spend quality time with your loved ones, it will strengthen your bond. Do some fun activities together, share your thoughts and feelings, and create lasting memories.
Positive social connections will improve your mood, reduce stress, and make your life happier. Make it a priority to nurture these relationships and cherish the moments you spend with those you care about.
7. Practice Self-Care
Contrary to what most people think, self-care is not about going to luxury spas and fancy hotels.
Self-care is about taking intentional steps to nurture your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It’s about listening to your body and mind and giving yourself the care and attention you need.
This could include taking some time off from work if it is becoming very exhausting, spending some time in nature to embrace the peace and calm, watching a movie you love, or just reading a good book.
Here are some blogs to help you understand self-care better:
- What Is Self-Care and Why Is It So Important for Your Well-Being
- What Is Mental Self-Care and Why It Is Important for Your Mental Health
- What Is Physical Self-Care and Why It Is Important for Your Overall Health
- What Is Emotional Self-Care and Why It Is Important for Your Overall Health
Wrapping Up – How to Start Living a Happy Life
In the past couple of decades or so, we’ve seen so much advancement in science and technology. New types of jobs have come and our lifestyles have changed drastically.
We now live in a very hectic and fast-paced world where our schedules are packed and we have little to no time for our health and well-being.
Stress has become a daily visitor, physical activities and sports have been replaced with online games, and meaningful connections and relationships have been replaced by social media and the virtual world.
In the middle of all this, finding and maintaining happiness has become a real challenge.
But, you must understand happiness isn’t something that some people are born with and others are not. It’s not a trait but a state of being. Each one of us is capable of achieving and sustaining this state if we make a few adjustments in our lives.
Hopefully, this blog has given you some insights into what changes you can make to live a happy and fulfilling life.
Living a happy life is not a destination, it’s a journey that begins with awareness. Awareness of the things that contribute to stress and worries, and awareness of the steps you need to take to live a happy life.
True happiness comes from finding your purpose, or Ikigai, building meaningful connections, and leading a lifestyle that supports your health and overall well-being. These are the foundations of a happy and fulfilling life.
If you have any thoughts or experiences you’d like to share with the wider community, we would love to hear from you in the comments.
Remember, happiness is within your reach, and it starts with small, mindful changes in your daily life. Namaste!
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