Psychological research shows two paths towards happiness

Over the past two decades, positive psychology has clarified many issues in psychology such as human development potential.

This movement suggests that psychologists should not only study mental disorders but also learn what makes life worth living. The father of positive psychology, Martin Seligman, describes happiness as frequent positive experiences, like joy, excitement and contentment, mingling with emotions about meaning and purpose.

Happiness experts believe that happiness is not a stable, unchanging trait that is flexible and we can aim for. Recent studies show that psychological flexibility is a key to happiness.

For example, being prepared to face emotional experiences and enduring difficult times can allow us to move towards a more meaningful life. Studies have shown that the way we face events in life affects more happiness than those events themselves.

Happiness is often positive experiences.

Stress, sadness and anxiety in the short term does not mean that we cannot be happy in the long term.

Two paths towards happiness

Philosophically, there are two ways to feel happy, that is, 'hedonistic' and 'eudaimonic'.

The first hedonistic view is that in order to have a happy life, we must maximize joy and minimize pain. This view satisfies human desire, but is often short-lived. If we see happiness in the sense of 'hedonistic', we must continue to seek new joys and experiences to "cultivate" our happiness. On the other hand, we also try to minimize unpleasant feelings to keep our moods high.

Meanwhile, the second direction (eudaimonic) thinks that we should live for the greater benefit . We should pursue meaning and potential through kindness, fairness, honesty and courage. In the direction of 'eudaimonic', we try to gain meaning, using our strengths to contribute to something bigger than ourselves. This may involve unpleasant experiences and emotions at certain times, but often lead to deeper joy and contentment.

Therefore, towards a happy life is not about avoiding difficult times, but how to face adversity in a way that allows you to develop from those experiences.

Towards a happier life is the development of each individual.

Growing up from adversity

Research shows that experiencing difficulties can be good for us, depending on how we cope with it. Difficulties can make us more resilient and lead us to act in life with big decisions, such as changing jobs.

Usually after people have difficulties, illness or loss, they describe life happier and more meaningful. There is even a term to describe this phenomenon as " post-traumatic growth."

Unlike the feeling of fleeting joy, towards a happier life is the development of each individual through the search for meaning. It is about accepting life with all its ups and downs, enjoying positive emotions, and exploiting lessons from failure to reach our maximum potential.