Happiness has been a human pursuit for as long as we can remember, and positive psychology has taken this concept into the realm of scientific research in hopes of gaining a better understanding of global well-being and meaningful living.

A Definition of Happiness
In general, happiness is understood as the positive emotions we have in regards to the pleasurable activities we take part in through our daily lives.

Pleasure, comfort, gratitude, hope, and inspiration are examples of positive emotions that increase our happiness and move us to flourish. Happiness is  the presence of positive emotions and the absence of negative emotions.

Research on happiness over the years has found that there are some contributing correlational factors that affect our happiness. These include:

Personality Type
Positive Emotions versus Negative Emotions
Attitude towards Physical Health
Social Class and Wealth
Attachment and Relatedness
Goals and Self-Efficacy
Time and Place.

Current Research and Studies
For instance, we have learned a lot about what happiness is and what drives us.

Recent studies have shown us that:
Money can only buy happiness up to about $75,000 – after that, it has no significant effect on our emotional well-being (Kahneman & Deaton, 2010).

Most of our happiness is not determined by our genetics, but by our experiences and our day-to-day lives (Lyubomirsky, Sheldon, & Schkade, 2005).

Trying too hard to find happiness often has the opposite effect and can lead us to be overly selfish (Mauss et al., 2012).

Pursuing happiness through social means (e.g., spending more time with family and friends) is more likely to be effective than other methods
(Rohrer, Richter, Brümmer, Wagner, & Schmukle, 2018).

The pursuit of happiness is one place where we should consider ditching the SPECIFIC goals; it may be more effective to pursue “vague” happiness goals than more specific ones (Rodas, Ahluwalia, & Olson, 2018).
 
Happiness makes us better citizens – it is a good predictor of civic engagement in the transition to adulthood (Fang, Galambos, Johnson, & Krahn, 2018).

Happiness leads to career success, and it doesn’t have to be “natural” happiness – researchers found that “experimentally enhancing” positive emotions also contributed to improved outcomes at work (Walsh, Boehm, & Lyubomirsky, 2018).

There is a linear relationship between religious involvement and happiness. Higher worship service attendance is correlated with more commitment to faith, and commitment to faith is related to greater compassion. Those more compassionate individuals are more likely to provide emotional support to others, and those who provide emotional support to others are more likely to be happy (Krause, Ironson, & Hill, 2018).

It’s a long road, but a direct one!

17 Interesting Facts and Findings
Smelling flowers happiness
Research in this field is booming, and new findings are coming out all the time. Here are a few of the most interesting facts and findings so far:

Happiness is linked to lower heart rate and blood pressure, as well as healthier heart rate variability.
Happiness can also act as a barrier between you and germs – happier people are less likely to get sick.
People who are happier enjoy greater protection against stress and release less of the stress hormone cortisol.
Happy people tend to experience fewer aches and pains, including dizziness, muscle strain, and heartburn.
Happiness acts as a protective factor against disease and disability (in general, of course).
Those who are happiest tend to live significantly longer than those who are not.
Happiness boosts our immune system, which can help us fight and fend off the common cold.
Happy people tend to make others happier as well, and vice versa – those who do good, feel good!
A portion of our happiness is determined by our genetics (but there’s still plenty of room for attitude adjustments and happiness-boosting exercises!).
Smelling floral scents like roses can make us happier.
Those who are paid by the hour may be happier than those on salary (however, these findings are limited, so take them with a grain of salt!).
Relationships are much more conducive to a happy life than money.
Happy people tend to wear bright colors; it’s not certain which way the relationship works, but it can’t hurt to throw on some brighter clothes once in a while.
Happiness can help people cope with arthritis and chronic pain better.
Being outdoors – especially near the water – can make us happier.
The holidays can be a stressful time, even for the happiest among us – an estimated 44% of women and 31% of men get the “holiday blues.”

Happiness is contagious! When we spend time around happy people, we’re likely to get a boost of happiness as well (Florentine, 2016; Newman, 2015).

Suggestions To Increase Happiness In South Africa
Many of our challenges in South Africa are of a political and administrative nature.

Global Happiness
Happiness is a complex construct that cannot be directly controlled. This helps. Through policy and individual and organizational action, we can endeavor to influence and increase happiness (Veenhoven, 2010).

Here are some examples of how happiness in South Africa could be improved:

The distribution of food packs including positive psychology literature for the homeless which motorists can purchase from major retail stores or garages.
"Happy South Africa" movies consisting of what is going well with South Africa as a nation and highlighting each of our South African cultures, which could be shown before main features at cinemas or on DVDs.
All major newspapers could give a "Happy South Africa" news story.
Positive Psychology consultants could give classes or roadshow teachings of the principles such as gratitude, mindfulness, meaning, and purpose.
The formation of an overarching organization that could provide a consolidated portal to all volunteer and community organizations which are working to make South Africa happier.
The creation of a South African Happiness Community which researches local happiness.
Assistance could be given to communities in designing local projects, to both obtain resources and project manage the initiatives to successful completion.
South Africa could engage and actively take part in the world happiness initiatives which are taking off globally.

South Africa is just one example of the many countries in the world that require greater advocacy and action on an individual, organizational, and governmental level.

Happiness is a subjective experience and only once we change the way we perceive the world can we really begin sharing and creating happiness for others.
But is it possible to train yourself to be happier?
The answer is yes!

A Take-Home Message
Happiness is the overall subjective experience of our positive emotions. There are many factors which influence our happiness, and ongoing research continues to uncover what makes us happiest.

This global pursuit of happiness has resulted in measures such as the World Happiness Report, while the World Happiness Database is working to collaborate and consolidate the existing happiness pursuits of different nations.

We are living in a time when the conditions for happiness are known. This can be disheartening at times when we consider examples such as South Africa, where political strife prevent much of the population from experiencing the Full Quality of Life.

There is, however, good news in this situation: neuroplasticity.

The human brain is wired for happiness and positive connections with others. It is actually possible to experience and learn happiness despite what has been genetically hardwired.

In a world where the focus on happiness is growing and the mirror is turning back towards ourselves, the happiness of the world relies on the happiness within each one of us and how we act, share, and voice the importance of happiness for everyone.

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