Hi everyone, it’s Melanie on the Dóchas blog, and today you’ll learn simple ways to cultivate more happiness in your life. 

You may find yourself wanting to be happy and feeling as though there isn’t enough happiness in your life. That desire is common, and it often leads to questions about what truly contributes to lasting happiness.  In exploring those questions, research on happiness frequently points to the work of Dr. Arthur Brooks, who has made a career studying what helps people thrive. He is a Harvard University professor and the author of Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier. You can watch his empowering talk about happiness by clicking the link to this video.

Research shows that happiness is made up of three macronutrients: enjoyment, satisfaction, and purpose.

When you take a closer look at enjoyment, you’ll find that it involves more than just pleasure. Enjoyment is pleasure combined with communion and consciousness. A good example of this is a Christmas dinner, where you experience the pleasure of a delicious meal while also creating memories and spending time with loved ones. 

Satisfaction is the feeling you get when you accomplish a goal. Purpose, on the other hand, comes from having a sense of meaning in your life. When enjoyment, satisfaction, and purpose come together, you are supplied with a greater sense of happiness. 

The Four Pillars: Happiness Made Simple

Building on these ideas, Dr. Brooks has identified four pillars of happiness that can guide you toward a more fulfilling life. Here’s a brief look at each one. 

• Building Happiness Through Faith 

The first pillar of happiness is faith.

You don’t have to follow a religion to have faith, though you may choose to include it. Faith goes beyond religion, giving you a sense of purpose, meaning, and connection with others. You can cultivate faith in many ways. You might practice spirituality, spend time in nature, engage with your community, or study traditional wisdom to strengthen your sense of faith.

Your journey with faith is unique, and you can blend family traditions with your personal beliefs to create your own path. 

• Nurturing Family Connections to Boost Your Happiness

Lisa Weed stated, “Being a family means you are a part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life.” No family is perfect, every family is unique.

Your family provides a special opportunity to learn and grow. When your family is functioning well, it can give you a sense of love and belonging It can serve as a safety net and a place to land when life feels difficult or uncertain. Spending time with supportive family members can reduce your stress and improve your mental health. Because your family has been with you your entire life, you might take it for granted.

Make it a priority to nurture your family as part of your pursuit of happiness. 

• How Friendships Fuel Lasting Happiness 

Friendship is pivotal in your journey of living your happiest life. While this section touches on the topic briefly, I’ll explore it in more detail in a later blog.

Brooks reported, “Friendship accounts for almost 60 percent of the difference in happiness between individuals, no matter how introverted or extroverted they are.” For many people, friendships have suffered from the rise of online living, and those that were strong before COVID often struggled to recover after lockdowns and social distancing.

If happiness is your goal and you notice your friendships have been neglected, take the time to rekindle old relationships and invest in new ones. 

• Finding Happiness Through Meaningful Work 

Finding happiness in your work is about more than just how much money you make.

While you need a certain amount of money to live, research shows that once you reach a certain threshold, earning more does not increase your happiness. So, how can your work support happiness? Your work can give you a sense of purpose, value, and accomplishment. Through your work, you can be of service to others and engage in personal growth and mastery. Your work can also connect you with others and give you the opportunity to build positive relationships.

When you approach it thoughtfully, your work can become a powerful source of happiness. 

Take Charge of Your Happiness Today

No matter your current level of happiness, you can increase it by building the four pillars in your life: faith, family, friendship, and work. Take an honest inventory of your life and consider where you may be lacking.

If you’re unsure where to start, reach out to a mental health professional near you and explore your happiness journey in a more personal and customized way. 

Not Sure Where to Start with Therapy?

Take the Dóchas Compass (1–2 minute quiz) and we’ll guide you toward the best fit therapist for you.

If you already know what you’re looking for, you can book an appointment online (in-person in Spruce Grove or virtual across Alberta) or call us at 780-446-0300.

About Dóchas Psychological

Dóchas Psychological Services is a well-established and trusted therapy clinic located in Spruce Grove, Alberta. At Dóchas we value the idea that everyone deserves a safe space. Through connection and education, our team works hard to build a trustworthy relationship with each of our clients. It is our goal to create a community for our clients to feel like they belong.

Disclaimer

Information provided through Dóchas Psychological Services blogs or vlogs is meant for educational purposes only. They are NOT medical or mental health advice. You can read more about our disclaimer here.