The Science of Happiness: Is it a Choice or a Result of Circumstances?

2024-04-14 15:32:21

Is it born or made? Many studies have been carried out on happiness and, practically, any human being is in a constant search for it. As described by the Royal Spanish Academy
, it is a “state of pleasant spiritual and physical satisfaction”, but the way in which it is experienced is something completely different. Can we take control over it? Can we choose to be happy?

Lately, the search for happiness has increased, and along with this legitimate need to be happy, coaches, gurus, lecturers and motivators have appeared who claim to have the key, the secret or the code to achieve it (a trick that they claim will reveal to you if you pay for their courses, books and master classes).

It seems that, these days, happiness is not abundant, but the truth is that what is really scarce is money. So, before you spend your time and money, we compiled academic studies on whether happiness is a choice and how we can make it present in our daily lives.

One of the secrets of happiness is in your circle of friends.

Happiness is a choice?

The first thing is to understand that the search for happiness is a personal mission, what makes you happy does not necessarily make your partner, your family or your friends happy. Hence there is no single route or path. The second thing you have to be clear regarding is that you must appreciate the ephemeral nature of being happy, because “it is impossible to be happy all the time, life is also full of sadness and suffering,” explains the psychologist. Farid Dick
.

Being clear that there is no single goal and that achieving it does not guarantee lifelong joy, as it is a temporary state, we share studies and articles that have explored the concept of happiness as a personal choice:

  • Yes and it is lived moment by moment: Sergio Sinai
    , in his book Happiness as a Choice, argues that this is the consequence of our decisions and actions, and not something that is passively waiting for us. He emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and engaging in activities that bring us joy, such as painting, writing, dancing, or practicing mindfulness.
  • Yes, although the context influences: For Rosalinda Ballesteros
    , doctor in Humanistic Studies and director of the Institute of Comprehensive Wellbeing Sciences in Tecmilenio, although she recognizes that not everyone has the same opportunities, resources and support networks to achieve happiness, she considers that “positive emotions are not there just to make us happy. Whether we feel good or relaxed, they are there and fulfill a function. Just as our biological ancestors had to have a very well-established response to react if they were attacked in order to run and thus survive, also those who had their positive emotions well regulated and managed to connect and build, were able to solve the most complex problems. Because what positive emotions do is open our cognitive capacity, open our ability to connect and generate solutions.”
  • Yes, and it can be a conscious choice: Gabriel Lopez,
    psychologist, emphasizes the importance of making the conscious decision to be happy every day, regardless of the difficulties one may face. It suggests that with the right psychological support, people can transform their irrational beliefs into rational thoughts, which can help them achieve happiness.
  • Happiness really can be a choice. It is not regarding disconnecting from the context of what you are experiencing, putting on glasses with colored filters and ignoring what is happening around you, but rather making conscious decisions, opting for a positive attitude, surrounding yourself with a support group and experiencing happiness. even in the most everyday acts.

    As a child I wanted to be a storyteller and illustrator, but I found my calling as a lifestyle storyteller.

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    #Discover #control #wellbeing

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