March 8, 2021

All too often, many people think of happiness as a self-indulgent emotion—warm fuzzies and spine-tingling sensations that merely delight oneself at the moment.

Yet, there is a growing science showing the amazing benefits of being happy. It spills over to many important aspects of life and helps us in many ways.

In our United Nations World Happiness Report, my co-authors and I reviewed all the positive benefits of being happy on “The Objective Benefits of Subjective Well-Being.”

Here were some of the takeaways:

• It can improve your relationships: People like being around happy people. Happier people give more to others.
• It can enhance your productivity: You produce more when put in a positive mood.
• It can promote better health behaviors: Happier people engage in more exercise
• It can lead to better immune functioning: Happier people are more resistant to colds and even experience faster-wound healing
• And it predicts greater longevity! Yes – happier people live longer.

Knowing this, I encourage us to rethink our notion of happiness – especially for those of us who relish the dour and morose. Happiness is not a self-indulgent emotion. It serves an essential function in our lives.

Would you be willing to take steps to improve happiness in your life? You may start seeing benefits beyond the fleeting rush of positivity.

Be well,
Louis

Dr. Louis Tay

Tay is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences. He has expertise in well-being, assessments, and data science.  Be sure to check back each week for another wellness tip of the week!

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