The International Day of Happiness is a day to celebrate happiness. It is also known as Happiness Day.
So, why do we need to celebrate happiness, you may ask? Because, our inner happiness is important for our well-being. For that reason, as a reminder, we are celebrating Happiness Day every year on March 20th. United Nations established it in 2012. Their goal was to raise awareness that happiness is important in our lives and that we should not only be aware of it but also incorporate it, due to its’ importance for our well being, into public policy as well.
Similarly, happiness should be fundamental human right. Together with that, happiness should be part of policies to achieve sustainable development goals and eradication of poverty.
As a result, this celebratory day prompted me to ask, again, what is happiness, really?
Happiness is the beautiful word that somehow makes you tickle inside. In the same way, just the word happiness, brings smile to your face and peace to your heart. It is the word that increases your sense of well-being. But, what is happiness indeed?
In general, happiness is a complex concept.
It is important to realize that happiness has been a subject of a century long discussions and writings by many writers, philosophers, and others. There is no single definition that would clearly explain what happiness is, but in general, happiness is defined by positive emotions, life satisfaction and general well-being.
As an illustration, Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: “For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness.”
Think of those words every time you get angry (if you do get angry). Anger drains you out. Happiness fulfills you and lifts you up.
To point out another aspect of what happiness is, Albert Camus wrote: “You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.”
Generally speaking, happiness is not something your earn. Happiness is something you choose. So, just live your life the best you can. Do not keep searching for happiness. Do not hope to earn it. Open up. Get out there. Make mistakes. Learn from it. Love no matter what. Do not let negativity overwhelm you. In a word, control your mind. Direct your mind. Teach your mind to look toward the sunshine. And most importantly, choose happiness.
“Keep your face toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.”
Positive emotions have wide range of feelings including joy, hope, inspiration, gratitude, awe, and others. Being positive is good for you. Positive emotions have numerous health benefits for both your physical as well as your mental health. There is research demonstrating its’ positive effect on your cardiovascular and immune system. Positive emotions increase creativity and provide a shield of resilience when faced with stress. That shields supports not only our physical but our mental and emotional health as well.
So, how to be more positive? How to be happier? Happiness is an inside job:
Take time to be happy. Choose happiness.
Smile, it is a free therapy.
Practice mindfulness.
Cultivate gratitude.
Keep gratitude journal.
Surround yourself with people you love and who love and support you.
Avoid negative people and those who put you down.
Engage in activities you love and activities that fulfill you.
Life is too short to spend it on negativity.
Your life is your sacred garden, your sacred space.
Allow into your life, only those people who are positive: bringing the peace, joy, and sunshine to your life.
Weed out people who are like weeds.
Set up boundaries.
Cultivate happiness.
Live a life that is consistent with being true to yourself.
Cultivating good and happy life is important for people of all ages: children and adults alike.
Whatever choice you make, it makes you. Choose wisely. Think happy thoughts. Be happy.
Happy people make others happy, too.
How do you choose happiness?
Jasminka Vukanovic-Criley MD, FACP, FHM is Awards winning physician hospitalist, educator, entrepreneur, leader. She can be reached on Twitter @criley_md and LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/jasminka-criley-md
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-happier-international-day-happiness-rest-year-jasminka-u3xvc
Dr. Jasminka Vukanovic-Criley MD, FACP, FHM is a multiple award-winning physician, internist, hospitalist, healthcare & education innovator & Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCLA. She is a career mentor & advisor to numerous undergraduate, graduate & postgraduate students & faculty. As a researcher, Dr. Criley received awards from the National Institutes of Health & the U.S. Department of Education Her work focuses on creating research-driven #edtech games & digital media to improve health, civics, science education & promote healthy habits. Dr Criley is also a sought-after speaker & a founding Board member of Physician’s Weekly. She can be reached on X at @criley_md and at www.linkedin.com/in/jasminka-criley-md