Happiness is defined as an emotional state with feelings of joy, contentment, peace and fulfilment. As human beings who experience a wide range of emotions, happiness too is something that comes and goes. What makes it different is that we are wired to crave it and thus, chase it. A lot of people try to pin down one source of happiness in their lives - be it family, friends, work, travel or something else. But happiness is made up of small moments - a favorite song playing on shuffle, knowing that you’re missed by someone, being appreciated at work, finding the piece of clothing you thought lost or enjoying a home cooked meal after recovering from flu.
Positive Psychology is a movement that brought up PERMA theory. It stands for Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and Accomplishments. These are the fundamentals that allow you to flourish, based on the choices you make. You cultivate positive emotions by focusing on the things in your control and practicing gratitude and forgiveness. Engagement in anything that uses your strengths while challenging you to be the better version of yourself, helps your mind and body concentrate on the small wins. It could be reading a book, cleaning a drawer, finishing an assignment or having a healthy debate. Relationships are fundamental to happiness. Sitting with family and friends, laughing, engaging in banter or reminiscing old times leads to an increase in wellness. A sense of meaning comes from the work and values you choose to align yourself with. This occasionally leads to achievements in different domains. Remember, a win is a win, no matter how big or small.
The question that remains is, how does this happen and how do we feel happiness? Your body will help you to answer this. In small acts, big wins, or every activity that leads to PERMA, your body is undergoing an interplay of four hormones - dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins. When these hormones get activated/stimulated, you feel a rush of happiness course through your body. Here’s a little cheat sheet for activating them.
Dopamine (Reward Hormone):
Serotonin (Mood Stabilizer)
Oxytocin (Love Hormone)
Endorphins (Pain & Stress Relievers)
Remember, happiness might not necessarily be something you find, but rather something you let in one small act at a time. There are so many people you do things for - at work, for strangers, partners, pets, family etc. Don’t forget to do something for yourself, and look within every now and then.
Activate your four hormones by listening to this thought guide :)