Happiness

All of us have an intense desire to be loved and nurtured. The need to be loved, could be considered one of our most basic and fundamental needs. The term “love” refers to more than just romantic love; it also refers to love between a parent and a child, love between brothers and sisters, and love given by a person to an animal, but we will focus on romantic love in this series. Intimacy, or the need to be physically close to someone, is a common expression of love.

We often think that happiness is something we achieve, but as Eleanor Roosevelt reminds us, happiness is something that happens when we do everything else right. Over the last few weeks, we have spoken about how to achieve happiness, but we want to reiterate that happiness is not a goal; it’s a by-product of the things we do. It’s a reminder that if your goal is just to be happy, you might want to think about what it takes to get there.

According to research, the most significant factor in determining overall happiness is the quality of one’s relationships. Having healthy social connections is the most reliable predictor of living a happy and content life. Satisfying relationships are linked to better health, greater happiness, and even longer life. A person’s happiness isn’t solely dependent on romantic relationships. Close friendships and social ties with your family and community can also play a part.

“How to Be Happy?” With over 6 billion search results, it is one of Google’s most popular questions. Every person has their own idea of what makes them happy. However, extensive research on happiness has revealed that certain needs must be met in order to achieve this emotional state. When we discuss achieving happiness, we are referring to long-term happiness rather than the short-term feelings of joy we experience in our daily lives. Over the next three weeks, we will talk about what you can do to feel happier.

For the first time, antidepressants have become one of Australia’s most commonly prescribed drugs. Antidepressants were the third most commonly prescribed drug by people of all ages around the world, and the most commonly used by those aged 18 to 44. According to research, the global rate of antidepressant use increased nearly 400% between 2005 and 2021. So why are people so unhappy?

Is happiness a feeling or a state of mind? Philosophers, psychologists, spiritual leaders, and others have debated the definition for thousands of years. Even the Dalai Lama has said, “The very purpose of life is to seek happiness”. But what is this elusive thing we’re looking for, exactly? Happiness is linked to safety, contentment, and success, but what makes one person happy may not make another happy. Though we may never have a definitive answer to the nature of happiness, its significance cannot be denied.