Psychologists Reveal: Why Pursuing Joy Trumps the Chase for Happiness

Happiness relies on outside conditions. Joy involves acceptance, openness, playfulness, and connection.

Why do you put in such effort daily into your enterprise? If you ask many entrepreneurs this query, they would ultimately say it’s about achieving happiness. Indeed, we establish businesses to create wealth and enhance society; however, the primary objective for most proprietors is to lead a joyful existence.

That seems like the most basic idea in existence. What could potentially be wrong with it? Surprisingly, quite a bit, as per various perspectives. psychologists Those who assert that we'd all be better off by focusing on increasing our happiness.

America the miserable

Before diving into the difference between happiness and joy, it's crucial to address another query initially. What is amiss with pursuing happiness? In brief, our pursuit of happiness tends to be quite problematic. clearly backfiring .

Take a look at America today and reflect: How are we faring? We undoubtedly remain an immensely wealthy nation. Our society is marked by innovation, diversity, and dynamism. Yet, do you consider us, as a whole, contented folk?

If your initial reaction to this query is negative, plenty of evidence supports your stance. In 2024, the U.S. further descended in the World Happiness Report rankings. a historically low ranking at 23rd place for the happiest countries . These rankings are admittedly problematic However, personal mental health statistics aren't any more uplifting.

New statistics indicate that the United States is facing a severe mental health crisis affecting individuals across all age groups, the CDC has declared , presenting a plethora of stark figures to support its claim.

There are several intricate factors involved. Politics, economics, and culture certainly have their roles. a part in our country's general discontent . ( Technology comes in for a lot of suspicion However, psychologists argue that a significant aspect of the issue lies in how we perceive and pursue happiness.

Why chasing happiness backfires

In general, Americans—and particularly American entrepreneurs—are known as striving individuals. Numerous among us have incorporated "being happy" into our extensive list of aspirations. However, unfortunately for us, studies indicate that happiness, much like a timid woodland animal, appears elusive. The more we chase after it, the further away it seems to move. .

One recent study Out of the University of California, Berkeley, New York University, and the University of Toronto, researchers reached out to 1,800 participants periodically to check on their emotional states. They noticed an interesting trend: as they frequently questioned these individuals regarding their well-being, those people tended to report lower levels of happiness.

What was happening? The researchers determined that actively contemplating happiness often leads individuals to concentrate more on their unhappiness. Each fleeting negative feeling and small setback becomes amplified.

"Clinging to the imperfections within positive experiences can eventually undermine their value," stated the lead researcher. Felicia Zerwas .

Pursuing happiness not only highlights all the imperfections in our lives but also diverts our attention from activities that could more effectively enhance our overall well-being. Harvard-based happiness scholar Arthur Brooks , the late Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman , and starred organizational psychology Adam Grant All have clarified that what genuinely brings humans satisfaction is a feeling of significance and aim.

Why pursuing joy is more important than chasing happiness

This leads us to differentiate between happiness and joy. Although it can be quite tempting to criticize ourselves for failing to remain constantly cheerful, even the most driven individuals do not anticipate each instant of their existence to brim with delight. Happiness is linked to how we perceive our circumstances, whereas joy represents a fleeting emotion. Joy emerges as a sudden surge of blissful satisfaction occurring when favorable stimuli encounter an unguarded, calm state of mind.

This suggests that, according to Amir Levine—a psychiatrist and co-founder of Bhava Therapy Group in New York—it's usually more beneficial to strive for an increase in this particular feeling.

Happiness frequently relies on external factors such as reaching a target, obtaining a prize, enjoying a preferred treat, or evading unpleasantness; however, joy exists independently without conditions. He authors articles for Psychology Today. It is an attitude of inherent acceptance towards life that can be developed.

Or As positive psychologist Alison Bishop stated in The Conversation Joy is "a feeling we cultivate within ourselves, rather than something we seek externally."

How to ready your mind for happiness

If you believe that pursuing happiness often ends up having the opposite effect, and opening yourself up opting for joy proves to be a wiser choice; this prompts a crucial inquiry: What steps should one take? In other words, how can someone cultivate themselves as a more joyful individual? Levine and Bishop provide some recommendations:

• Be present. Pretty much anything can bring happiness — whether it’s a beautiful sunset or a silly face. your dog —but to fully enjoy these instances, you must truly be engaged. "Concentrate on what’s happening right now. Go for a stroll and observe the scenery, listen to the noises, and catch the scents," advises Levine. "At times, we should leave our phones behind," suggests Bishop.
• Tune into yourself. Bishop states, “Joy is personal for everyone, so we must listen to our inner voice to discover what brings us joy.” Additionally, Levine notes that to experience greater joy, one needs to develop an ability to sense their emotions overall.
• Prioritize connection. Feeling happiness doesn't require being around others, though it can certainly enhance your experience. As Bishop points out, "Interacting with individuals similar to ourselves allows us greater freedom to express our true selves." Levine highlights the significance of engaging in joyful pursuits alongside loved ones.
• Make space for play. Overscheduling The adversary of happiness is "periods when time isn't scheduled with specific tasks and aren’t reliant on devices," according to Levine. Unscheduled downtime lets us discover what truly delights us.

Pursuing happiness might place us in a stressed, externally-focused mindset where we assess our lives and deem them insufficient. In contrast, nurturing joy revolves around being receptive and open-minded. playful , and interconnected. It’s no surprise that psychologists suggest that if you wish to counteract the troubling patterns in mental well-being, you should focus on boosting your joy instead of your happiness.

This posting initially appeared at GudangMovies21com .

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