Cultivating Happiness: 5 Powerful Steps to Create and Enhance Joy in Your Life
When did something last happen in your life that left you either pleased or unhappy? How much time did that moment last? What then leads to eternal and true happiness? Let’s examine the reasons why chasing happiness leaves so many individuals confused and shed light on the most effective strategy, as determined by scientific studies.
Everyone wants to be happy. Whether you realize it or not, your decisions almost certainly always revolve around what you believe will bring you the most happiness or satisfaction. These decisions are frequently hasty and occasionally unconscious.
When we obtain what we desire, we are content and life is perfect. Does the pursuit end here? No. The moment might fade, therefore that must indicate we’re no longer content, right? We need to grab this moment once more. Because we’re linking happiness to items we gain or have, it will undoubtedly be elusive and an illusion if we let this cycle decide our level of happiness.
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A cause-and-effect relationship between the outer world and our inner world has also been established, and enjoyment is mostly associated with specific occasions. But it’s erroneous for us to think that a certain time determines happiness.
A Fresh Perspective
We, therefore, need a fresh definition and an updated comprehension of how to grow that experience and summon it when we’re lost if we are to approach happiness differently.
Happiness is “the experience of joy, contentment, or positive well-being, mixed with a sense that one’s life is good, significant, and worthy,” according to Sonja Lyubomirsky, a researcher in positive psychology.
Simply expressed, being happy is having the feeling that everything in your life is going well overall.
Don’t Run After Happiness
We make significant life changes in the hope that a new job, house, partner, or vehicle would help us get there. How often do people say or hear, “I just want to be happy”? The paradox of happiness has been found by psychologists as the reason we err.
According to Iris Mauss’ research, those of us who say things like, “Happiness is essential to me, I want to pursue it,” actually experience less enjoyable. Furthermore, according to Harvard professor and positive psychology expert Tal Ben-Shahar, “We can all agree that happiness is a good thing, but valuing it as a good thing is problematic.”
We cultivate prolonged happiness rather than actively seeking it out. That’s great news for us all. Whether your presentation at work goes well or your partner takes you out on a date should have little bearing on how happy you are.
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Using The SPIRE Method
The foundation of the SPIRE technique is the notion that well-being is more about having a feeling of purpose and meaning in life than it is about always being happy. To do this, we must prioritize the welfare of our spiritual, physical, intellectual, relational, and emotional selves. These five categories stand for the various facets of our lives that make us happy.
Spiritual Wellbeing
Relates to a feeling of being a part of something bigger than ourselves. It can include spiritual or religious practices like yoga, meditation, and prayer as well as pursuits that offer us a sense of direction like volunteering or helping others.
Physical Wellbeing
Is about physical fitness and wellness. It entails moving around, eating, and sleeping. As our body is an interconnected system, what we consume, how much we rest, and how frequently we exercise can lower our risk of disease and as a result, improve our health.
Intellectual Wellbeing
Incorporates intellectual pursuits, learning, and creativity. It can include pursuits like reading, writing, enrolling in classes, or engaging in hobbies. In the end, we’re talking about continuing to be curious about how the world works around us. It has been demonstrated that intellectual stimulation enhances problem-solving abilities, cognitive function, and general life pleasure.
Relational Wellbeing
Is all about how we interact with other people. We can’t pursue happiness on our own. Recent research from Harvard has shown that the caliber of our connections has the biggest impact on a good existence. We are all gathered here because that is how we are meant to live our lives. Good relationships boost happiness, lower stress levels, and enhance general health.
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Emotional Wellbeing
Refers to our capacity for emotional regulation and emotional well-being. It is a skill that can be learned and developed; it is our emotional intelligence. One method to improve emotional wellness is to become curious about your feelings, pay attention to them, and be honest about them with a trusted person. This is good for both your relationship and your emotional well-being.
Conclusion
The SPIRE method is an all-encompassing strategy for well-being that places a strong emphasis on achieving harmony across its five pillars of spiritual, physical, intellectual, relational, and emotional well-being. Rather than relying on a miracle to happen to us, it challenges us to reclaim our power and create the conditions for pleasure in our own lives. Happiness is closer than you might imagine, like most high-value life events.
