Discovering the way that suits us to pursuit our happiness

The requested is to find the way that suits us to pursue our happiness!

A recent study by the China Institute of Psychology examined the relationship between how we rate happiness as important and the overall well-being we feel. It has been found that a positive appreciation of happiness leads to higher levels of well-being, satisfaction and positive emotions, regardless of a person's age.

According to the researchers' interpretation of the findings, evaluating happiness as important motivates us to actively strive to achieve what we seek. Part of this process is the regulation of our emotional state, that is, the reduction of unpleasant emotions when they occur and the increase of pleasant emotions, so that we can continue to strive to achieve our goals.

In other words, striving for happiness can actually lead to happiness, provided that the appropriate tools for emotion regulation are used (ex. reassessing a negative situation rather than avoiding it). The repetition in everyday life of actions that are oriented to positivity (ex. expression of gratitude) is also considered important.

Another interesting conclusion is that there are alternative ways of approaching happiness. On the one hand, people who value happiness can experience positive emotions by minimizing negative situations and achieving their goals. On the other hand, people with developed acceptance skills initially recognize and accept emotions even if they are unpleasant as a reality and focus on what they can control and change. In this way, they save energy and emotional resources, which also seems to work effectively.

In conclusion, expanding our field of thought and action by including alternative ways of pursuing happiness can make it easier to achieve happiness.

Journal Reference:

Zhao, Y., Wang, Q., & Wang, J. (2020). Valuing happiness predicts higher well‐being: The moderating role of acceptance. Psych Journal, 9(1), 132-143.