Happiness has been described as “the experience of joy, contentment, or positive well-being, combined with a sense that one’s life is good, meaningful and worthwhile.”
The key to this definition is that positive emotions do not indicate the absence of negative emotions. A ‘happy person’ experiences the spectrum of emotions just like anybody else, but the way they experience the negative emotions may differ. Nobody is immune to life’s stressors, but the question is whether you see those stressors as moments of crisis or moments of opportunity.
PERMA, the qualities of a happy person
PERMA represents the five qualities that have been shown to contribute to happiness:
P – Enjoying yourself in the moment, i.e., experiencing positive emotions.
E – Having a sense of engagement, in which we may lose track of time and become completely absorbed in something we enjoy and are passionate about.
R – Humans are social creatures, and we rely on connections with others to truly flourish. Having deep, meaningful relationships with others is vital to our well-being.
M – When we dedicate ourselves to a cause or recognize something bigger than ourselves, we experience a sense of meaning that there is simply no replacement for.
A – We all thrive when we, achieve of our goals.
Tips to enhance your happiness and well-being
If you’re looking to enhance your own sense of enduring or authentic happiness and well-being, you should have a go at practising the following:
- Experiencing more positive emotions by doing things that bring enjoyment into your life
- Working on strengthening your engagement; pursue hobbies that interest you, develop your skills and unique talents, and get involved in activities that you feel passionate about
- Help build and maintain healthy, positive relationships with others
- Seek out meaning; for example, look for volunteering opportunities, or act as a mentor for others
- Learn to savour positive moments
- Nurture a sense of gratitude
- Keep your focus on achieving your goals, make sure they are realistic and reward yourself for your efforts
- Cultivate compassion and acceptance of yourself and others
For further advice & support contact EAP Assist