The Many Upsides To Happiness
“Rules for happiness: something to do, someone to love, something to hope for. ”
Matthieu Ricard was born in Aix-les-Bains, Savoie, France in 1946.
After studying for a PhD in genetics in the early 1970s, he decided to forgo a scientific career and practice Tibetan Buddhism instead.
Ricard now lives mainly in the Himalayas and has been the French interpreter for the 14th Dalai Lama since 1989.
He is also scientifically proven to be ‘the world’s happiest man’.
This comes from his involvement in a long-running brain study on meditation by neuroscientist Richard Davidson at the University of Wisconsin.
During the study, Ricard's brain showed unusually high levels of gamma waves associated with happiness and positive emotions when meditating.
Whilst you may not be naturally as content, the good news is that it’s possible to become happier.
One tip is to start the day by practising gratitude. List three things you’re grateful for and why. This simple practice can help rewire your brain to become more optimistic in just two weeks.
And it’s not just the positive feeling you get from being happy that’s enough to warrant pursuing it.
Indeed, there are several other benefits that you might not be aware of.
We take a look at them below:
1. People will like you more
Have you ever heard the terms ‘radiator’ or ‘drain’ applied to someone?
We are attracted to people who radiate positivity and appear happy and optimistic. Just think of that upbeat friend you’re always excited to see.
Conversely, those who drain our energy with negativity and moodiness turn us off. We minimise our time with them as much as possible.
As a result, happier people attract more friends and enjoy a richer social life, contributing to their happiness.
An added benefit is that strong social connections provide emotional support and are associated with better mental and physical health.
2. You will earn more
Would you like to be better paid? If so, it could help to adopt a sunnier outlook.
Research shows that happy people tend to be better remunerated.
According to a study by Professor Andrew Oswald and Professor Jan-Emmanuel de Neve at the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre using data from Add Health (a large sample of representative people in the US), people's happiness levels in their teenage years and early twenties predicted their earning potential in their twenties and thirties.
Another study by Dr. Martin Seligman from the University of Pennsylvania found that optimistic salespeople outsell their pessimistic colleagues by 56%, resulting in more money in their pockets.
Finally, optimistic people are shown to be better at managing their personal finances. For example, they’re more likely to have set aside a rainy day fund.
3. You will perform better at work
Research shows that happier employees typically take fewer sick days. On average, nine fewer sick days per year.
They are also less likely to experience burnout, allowing for sustained performance over time.
For these reasons, they’re more likely to be promoted, which ties back to the point above about better pay.
4. You will live longer
Several studies have found a link between happiness and longevity.
One study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that people with higher levels of optimism had longer life spans and greater chances of living past 85.
Additionally, research from the Harvard Study of Adult Development, which has followed participants for over 80 years, found that people with strong, supportive relationships were happier, healthier, and lived longer than those without, regardless of wealth, health, or career.
There are several ways in which happiness appears to influence health:
1. Stress reduction
Happiness is associated with lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol. Lower stress levels can protect against various health issues.
2. Improved immune function
Happier people tend to have more robust immune systems, which helps fight off illness and disease.
3. Healthier behaviours
Happy individuals are more likely to engage in health-promoting behaviours like regular exercise, healthy eating, and getting adequate sleep.
4. Better cardiovascular health
Happiness is linked to lower blood pressure, reduced heart rate, and decreased risk of cardiovascular disease.
5. Enhanced coping and resilience
Happy people demonstrate better problem-solving skills, coping strategies, and resilience in the face of adversity, which can protect mental and physical health.
Interestingly, the relationship between happiness and health works both ways, with good health also contributing to greater happiness.
Want more happiness in your life? Try our hugely popular and highly-rated courses made in collaboration and certified by The Happiness Research Institute. The Happy Course and The Even Happier Course are sure to put a smile on your face.
