We are in control of our own happiness. The dreams that you wish will come true. Happiness is the art of never holding in your mind the memory of any unpleasant thing that has passed.It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.These are some of the seemingly clique quotes and pieces of advice that we have all heard countless times since birth. Most people in our society understand these concepts yet see them as unrealistic ideas meant for a utilitarian society. What if there is a scientific basis for the theory that you, and only you, are in control of your own happiness? What would you do to change? Happiness is the one thing which everyone strives to achieve throughout the course of their lifetime. I would like to leave you all with tips and scientific research that proves that these ideas are not far-fetched. They are real and they are attainable. The time to change your way of thinking is now- time is ticking and happiness is within reach.

Photo Retrieved from: https://postgradrantss.wordpress.com

A website entitled “Happify” is devoted to research done on “the science of happiness.” The website asserts that our happiness level at a specific time is a combination of our genes, behaviors, and circumstances. For many years, scientists have spent an immense amount of time researching psychological problems and all of the negative aspects of human life. The importance of the field of positive psychology is just beginning to be emphasized. Happify adresses Savor, Thank, Aspire, Give, and Empathize (STAGE) as attainable goals that evoke happiness. Savor means to notice and focus on positive things that happen on a daily basis. The research of Bob Emmons, a Psychology professor at the University of California, shows that, “First, the practice of gratitude can increase happiness levels by around 25%. Second, this is not hard to achieve. A few hours writing a gratitude journal over 3 weeks can create an effect that lasts 6 months if not more. Third, cultivating gratitude brings other health effects, such as longer and better quality sleep time.” This explains the “thank” component of STAGE. With regards to “aspire”, another study Happify adressed found that “participants who were asked to imagine their future in an optimistic light increased their levels of happiness over the next six months”. It is important to note that there could have been third variables involved in these experiments. The power that giving to others has on our own happiness is immense and has been researched in depth repeatedly. One groundbreaking experiment performed by Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky requested that students perform five random acts of kindness each week for six weeks. While the control group experienced a reduction in well-being, those who engaged in acts of kindness showed a 42% increase in happiness. We do not know what the criteria were for “happiness” in these experiments nor do we know how the percentages are being calculated. However, this is a published, widely respected study and we can therefore assume with relatively high confidence that the findings are meaningful. Finally, being empathic helps us to form close bonds with our peers which is generally essential for true happiness.

Photo Retrieved from: https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/4619467-happify-me

Is there any physiological evidence of this power I’m claiming we have over our happiness? According to an article onUplift Connect, there is. The website explains that, “Whenever you have a thought, one synapse shoots a chemical across the cleft to another synapse, thus building a bridge over which an electric signal can cross, carrying along its charge the relevant information you’re thinking about”. Thus, your thoughts are literally reshaping your brain.

This is not to say that genes and circumstances do not have a profound affect on our happiness as well. The picture below comes from an article in New York Magazine, The Science of Us.

Photo Retrieved from: http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2014/06/how-much-of-your-own-happiness-can-you-control.html#

To conclude, there is a ton of research to be done in the field of positive psychology. The importance of knowing how to tell people to improve their lives is just beginning to be realized. If you found this blog interesting and would like to know more, check out this entertaining Ted Talk based on the topic.