Is it possible to acquire happiness that does not depend on anything?

The article explains:

1. What is happiness in life
2. Scientific explanation of happiness in life
3. Formulas for happiness in life from philosophers, scientists and psychologists
4. 7 components of happiness in life
5. Imaginary attributes of happiness
6. What prevents a person from being happy?
7. 7 Tips for Finding Happiness in Life
8. Biochemistry of happiness in life
9. 7 final recommendations that will help you become a happy person

Happiness in life is different for everyone: some dream of a big family, some of prosperity, some of travel. It all depends on the person’s internal value system and personal goals. It is precisely because of the lack of universal judgments that we are all considered unique individuals. One thing is for sure: everyone wants to be happy.

Today we will tell you which components of happiness are most important for most people, as well as what rules and principles allow you to make your own life happy. Thanks to our advice and recommendations, you will find harmony in life and find what you have been looking for.

What is happiness in life

There are a million different definitions for such a concept as happiness. But the most accurate understanding of happiness is the maximum degree of satisfaction with the conditions of one’s life. This is a fairly laconic and succinct interpretation that does not reduce individual happiness to some strict set of criteria; each person will have their own.

Many people mistakenly believe that the main happiness in life is wealth, material security, the opportunity to get any benefits of civilization for money and realize their whims. Therefore, a huge number of people, like obsessed people, build careers, save money and work extremely hard, just to increase the amount in their bank account and buy more expensive things.

However, even if everything goes well - goals are achieved, a career is built - then wealth is not enough to feel happy. People are very disappointed when they realize that happiness in life does not come down to the tight wallet for which they lived for many years and worked hard. Memoirs of famous rich people are filled with regrets about spending too much time making money in their youth.

The sooner a person understands one important feature of happiness, the easier it will be for him to build his life. Happiness does not last forever: even if you have achieved something and are successful now, this does not mean that you will remain happy and contented for the rest of your life. Therefore, enjoy the present moment and the work you are doing.

In philosophy, happiness is interpreted as a state of extreme satisfaction with one’s life, but with the caveat that no one can be completely happy. The majority of people constantly strive for happiness in life and sometimes reach certain points at which they experience this feeling.

Having achieved a goal, you can experience bright and intense emotions, but they do not last long: they are soon replaced by the usual state of searching for new happiness. Keep in mind that external conditions may be identical, and a person deserves the state of happiness himself, having achieved what he dreamed of, but this is an extremely short-lived state.

Philosophers say that happiness depends little on external factors and is almost completely determined by the mental state of the person himself. For some, the lack of personal life is a sufficient condition to poison any joy from success in work, business and career (even if the person really earns a lot). And for some, a modest salary is enough (enough for food and housing), as long as everything is in order in the family.

Children's happiness and its reasons

Children cannot make decisions on their own; they live under the constant control of their parents, and perceive the world around them under their influence. First of all, it depends on them whether their child will be happy, or will begin to feel flawed, unsure of himself, and complex.

In childhood, every word heard from adults is taken seriously and remembered for life . Some parents make the grave mistake of instilling in their children that they must prove in their lives that they are worth something, otherwise they will remain “nobody” and “nothing.” This approach is dangerous because the child will develop the destructive opinion that he is incapable, weak, a real “Nobody.” Moreover, this belief can “linger” with him until adulthood. Do you think he can become truly happy?

If scandals or showdowns occur in families, it is the children who suffer from this, first of all . The child believes that he is the culprit of what is happening, and he begins to develop first a guilt complex, and then an inferiority complex. Children perceive all situations differently from adults, and therefore their happiness depends primarily on the attitude of their parents towards them.

If you instill in a child that he is capable, smart, that he is loved and cared for, then he will treat himself with sufficient self-respect, and it is quite possible for him to become happy in adulthood . A child’s happiness is to feel needed, loved, desired. If all parents understood this, humanity would have entire generations of happy people.

Formulas for happiness in life from philosophers, scientists and psychologists

• from Socrates

According to the great philosopher of Ancient Greece, happiness is the main goal to which a person should strive, the highest good. But happiness cannot be reduced to wealth, beauty, health, or pleasure. Happiness necessarily includes a moral component: an immoral person cannot achieve happiness in life, since only virtues and prudent behavior make him happy.

• from Aristotle

This ancient thinker also considered bliss, or happiness, in inseparable connection with moral standards and virtuous actions. In addition to moral and intellectual self-improvement, happiness also consists of four other components: active citizenship, friendly communication, prosperity, and health.

• from Epicurus

Epicurus considered love and family relationships an obstacle to achieving real (and not apparent) happiness in life. The philosopher considered such a primitive thing as love unworthy of a wise person. The formula of happiness according to Epicurus is friendship, wisdom, peace of mind, absence of torment, realization of one’s desires (but within the framework of moral principles and beliefs), detachment from society and the state.

Euphoria: life without pain

Euphoria is similar to a feeling of boundless happiness or delight in everything that is happening around. This state is associated with high levels of endorphin - our “internal drug”. Endorphin relieves us of pain and rewards us with a feeling of bliss. It also normalizes blood pressure, pulse and breathing rate.

Euphoria is not related to past achievements, unlike satisfaction. You will receive “free endorphin” in large quantities only during an attack of pain or after overcoming a stressful situation. In a healthy body, the effect of endorphin stops after 30 minutes. Many scientists believe that it is dangerous for a person to remain in a state of euphoria for a long time. He becomes vulnerable as self-control weakens.

Interesting fact!

Endorphin is the only happiness hormone that can be obtained from the outside. All known drugs, including alcohol and even nicotine, act as endorphins. But as soon as a person begins to inject drugs, the brain stops releasing “internal endorphin.” Therefore, drug addicts without a dose feel any touch as pain and suffer from a lack of painkiller “hormone of bliss”.

Imaginary attributes of happiness

In search of recipes for happiness in life, some people find themselves on the wrong path. Usually taken for happiness:

• Prosperity and material values. If you don’t have your own apartment and car, this is, of course, inconvenient. However, having money to buy a home, car and things in itself does not bring pleasure. So many people make this mistake: they try their best to earn more, but later realize that happiness has not happened.
• Momentary joys and pleasures. Vivid impressions, sex, entertainment, alcohol, parties and other ways to have fun and escape from everyday life are undoubtedly important and sometimes necessary. But they should not be confused with true happiness in life.
• Beauty. Many people hate their own body and appearance because nature has not rewarded them with canonical beauty. They think that being attractive would solve all their problems, but this is not the case. There are many unhappy handsome men and beauties and even more contented and happy people with ordinary appearance.

Attraction: happiness through the body

For some people, the path to happiness hormones lies through sexual satisfaction. A person can consider himself happy if he feels physical attraction and increased sexuality.

Attraction differs in chemical reactions from falling in love. When attracted, phenylethylamine or the “romantic feeling molecule” is absent. Instead, testosterone comes to the fore, which increases libido in both men and women, and at the same time gives strength to surpass all competitors. During intimate caresses, our brain receives a stimulus to produce oxytocin, which is why it is called the “cuddle hormone.” Oxytocin causes a feeling of trust in a partner, even a stranger. The only common hormone for falling in love and attraction is norepinephrine, which provides pleasant excitement and an increase in physical and mental strength.

At the same time, with attraction, the level of prolactin sharply decreases, so you may not feel physical fatigue and constantly want a new dose of happiness hormones. Attraction is another way to trigger the brain to release happy hormones. During sexual intercourse, the level of dopamine in the brain gradually increases, which ensures the brightness of emotions. Dopamine reaches its peak before orgasm and stimulates the release of happiness hormones - endorphin and serotonin.

Interesting fact!

The healing properties of endorphins underlie tantrism - the teachings of yogis about the way to eliminate all mental and physical ailments through sex.

What prevents a person from being happy?

The main obstacle to happiness is the style and habits of thinking, the existing worldview and picture of the world. For some it is optimistic and cheerful, but for others it is a convinced pessimist, accustomed to experiencing only negativity. It will take serious conscious effort to reframe your thinking.

The habit of thinking negatively not only leads a person into the abyss of apathy, disappointment and resentment, but also destroys his psyche, and subsequently his body. When driving yourself into the darkness of despondency and negativity, remember that you yourself determine your future destiny, and there is no magic pill, person or place that can save you and make you happy.

Therefore, get used to being in a positive, constructive mood and looking for joy in the present. They are very short-lived. To have more happiness in life, fill it with deep close relationships, good people, pleasant moments, good deeds and creative activities that will bring not only moral satisfaction, but also decent pay.

Motherly feeling

Women's happiness is unthinkable without the feeling of motherhood, which is provided by the hormone oxytocin. Previously, it was believed that it was intended only to stimulate labor, which is why its name, which literally sounds like “quick labor.” After a woman gives birth, oxytocin creates a whole range of emotions that we call maternal feeling.

In an animal experiment, it was proven that if the release of oxytocin is suppressed in female sheep after giving birth, the maternal instinct will not appear in them. Conversely, females who have not given birth experience maternal feelings towards other lambs if oxytocin is injected into their cerebrospinal fluid. This is also proven by the well-known expression that there are no other people’s children if the level of oxytocin is high. Read more about the study in the literature sources and bibliographic references section.

But let's not forget that there is also fatherly love, which manifests itself in exactly the same way as motherly love. Even the most brutal man with a very high level of testosterone, the moment he picks up a child, releases attachment hormones - oxytocin and vasopressin. Vasopressin is similar to oxytocin, but its levels are more dependent on genetic predisposition. As oxytocin competes with testosterone, the level of the latter drops sharply, and the man becomes more sentimental.

Biochemistry of happiness in life

Scientific research has opened the eyes of humanity to the fact that happiness is not only an elusive state of mind, but a completely material, concrete and observable phenomenon. Thus, peak emotions (joy, happiness, satisfaction) are accompanied by the release of special hormones into the blood. These hormones - dopamine, serotonin and endorphins - have different mechanisms of action. For example, endorphins, which are produced in the pituitary gland, put a person into a long-term euphoria.

The brain neurotransmitter serotonin, produced by the pineal gland, gives long-term satisfaction and contentment. Dopamine, produced directly in the brain, as well as in the kidneys and adrenal glands, generates intense joy and satisfaction with the result of efforts (and it doesn’t matter whether it was quality sex, a delicious dinner, or the completion of a difficult project at work).

The active functioning of the hormonal system not only provides a person with a feeling of happiness in life, but also strengthens his health and vitality, making him more efficient. On the contrary, such depressed states as powerlessness, indifference, apathy and fatigue, as well as depression, signal failures in the biochemical “machine”. They are caused by prolonged stress, constant stress, peculiarities of upbringing and diseases of an infectious or hormonal nature.

If you understand what factors influence the functioning of the endocrine system (which controls the production of hormones), then you can influence the level of happiness in your life.

Experts name the following factors that provoke the regular production of endorphins.

1. Nutrition Happiness hormones will be produced in greater quantities if your diet contains a lot of hard cheeses, ice cream, rice, bell peppers, nuts, bananas and, of course, chocolate.
2. Mindset Learn to think positively and find joy in little things, try to stay optimistic. Then the load on the hormonal system will decrease, and it will function better. Meditate, pray, say affirmations - choose the method that suits you best.
3. Sports A surge of endorphins usually occurs after half an hour of intense running or fast walking or swimming. Physical activity and movement are not only life, but also happiness in life! Play sports and see how your emotional background improves.
4. Sex Endorphins are released only when orgasm occurs.
5. New experiences This could be travel, hiking, interesting walks, cultural events (concerts, performances, visiting museums), and even reading or watching a movie - in general, any sources of vivid impressions.
6. Acupuncture No, we are not talking about acupuncture sessions! You can just sometimes lie on the Lyapko or Kuznetsov applicator for twenty minutes, and you will feel a lift in mood due to the release of endorphins - morphine-like substances.
7. Sunbathing Ultraviolet rays from the sun promote the synthesis of joy hormones. Just the memory of the sun, the beach, the summer heat already improves your mood.
8. Music and dancing Listening to melodies, singing, and dancing help normalize the emotional state and feel happiness.

The state of happiness—from a biological point of view

The body responds to any emotion with a number of very different processes. For example, a person’s pupils dilate when he looks at the object of his love. Plus, there may be increased sweating and salivation, an increase in temperature, and also an acceleration of metabolism. Some people lose their appetite in a state of happiness, while others, on the contrary, become stronger. Smooth muscles located in the walls of the stomach, intestines and bladder (that is, in the hollow internal organs) are responsible for all these processes.

But an even greater role here is played by hormones, that is, neurochemical elements on which the emotions experienced by a person mainly depend. There are four such elements. These are: endorphins, that is, opioid neuropeptides. The nervous system begins to produce them when the body needs to overcome physical pain. Exercise, by the way, stimulates the production of endorphins (a simple and fairly painless way to get them).

Next, serotonin. It is also called the “hormone of happiness”; it is on it that the action of antidepressants is based. This is a neurotransmitter that is produced when a person feels something familiar and pleasant, for example, the light and warmth of the sun's rays.

Dopamine. A neurotransmitter called the “reward hormone.” It is developed at moments when a person realizes that he has done some work well (finished a book, scored a goal, etc.).

And another one is oxytocin. The so-called “attachment hormone”. It is produced in large quantities by the body of pregnant and breastfeeding women. You can strengthen this process with the help of hugs, because it is a hormone that “works” through touch and a feeling of affection.

Research conducted using MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and EEG (electroencephalogram) has shown that a region located somewhere in the left prefrontal cortex of the brain is responsible for happiness. And if a person is quite active from birth, this is nothing more than a genetic predisposition to happiness (at least scientists have such assumptions). There have even been studies involving children in this area. Some of them immediately began to cry if their mother left the room, while others did not; they turned out to be more persistent. Tests then showed that the latter had greater prefrontal activity.

Scientists say that 50% of happiness depends on genetics, 10% on a person’s general life situation, and 40% on events that happen every day. Some are ready to agree with this theory, others criticize it, but it is worth recognizing that a rather impressive part of happiness depends on the person himself, his worldview. And that sounds very inspiring.

Insight

For the scientist, musician, and any creative or research profession, happiness means a surge of inspiration or insight. When our brain suddenly comes up with an interesting idea or finds a solution to a problem, we feel positive emotions. Behind them are three defendants: phenylethylamine, dopamine and acetylcholine.

Phenylethylamine works as a brain stimulant during insight. It increases acetylcholine levels, which improves our attention, concentration, learning ability and memory. Dopamine speeds up our reactions and increases physical activity. You've noticed that at the moment of inspiration, people often jump up from their seats, even start jumping for joy. But unlike falling in love, insight does not last very long. To again feel a surge of pleasant emotions, a person again immerses himself in work and seeks inspiration.

Childhood is the happiest time

If you ask a person about when they were happiest, many will most likely remember their childhood years. Little children are open to everything new; they know how to find positive things in things that adults won’t even notice. It is the ability to enjoy the little things that makes children truly happy.

Children do not hide their emotions. They laugh if they are happy and cry if they are sad, sing and dance whenever they want. Children know how to be who they are: spontaneous, independent of the rules and standards of society. This is why a person is happy almost all the time in childhood.

With the birth of a child, parents are given a chance to once again look at the familiar world through children's eyes. Children charge adults with positive energy, happiness and positivity.

How to force the brain to release joy hormones?

With apathy, depression and anxiety, our level of happiness hormones drops sharply. The longer this condition lasts, the more difficult it is to regain the habit of being happy, since the brain easily accepts a new pattern of actions or reactions.

Interesting fact!

Happy people recover faster. The wounds of soldiers on the winning side always heal faster. And all because of the release of endorphins. Thanks to it, the regeneration of the entire body is accelerated.

You can increase and maintain high levels of happiness hormones by following simple recommendations.

Eat something sweet

Sugar in sweet or rich foods is the easiest way to increase serotonin levels. Glucose stimulates the release of insulin, which in turn triggers the production of serotonin. But know that if you reach for a chocolate bar at the slightest stress to increase serotonin, you risk becoming obese, because under stress, the hormone cortisol causes everything you eat to accumulate as fat, mainly in the waist area.

Interesting fact!

Serotonin supplements are used in restaurants. You may have noticed that on the table, in addition to cutlery, there is always a basket of bread that you did not order. White bread is another source of glucose, but it does not fill you up, but only irritates the hunger center in the brain. If you take a bite of a bun while the menu is being brought, you will very soon feel a pang of hunger again. Because glucose causes a small release of serotonin, you will relax, be less critical of restaurant prices, and order more food.

Eat Happy Foods

If you really want something sweet, just replace the bun with natural vanilla. It can be found in milk and dairy products, oatmeal and fruits. Drink less coffee and alcoholic drinks. They deplete all dopamine reserves, and you begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. Add to your diet foods high in the amino acid tryptophan, which is necessary for the synthesis of serotonin.

You will get a lot of serotonin if you eat:

• bananas;
• beets;
• cottage cheese;
• brown rice;
• mackerel or salmon;
• seeds;
• cheese;
• turkey.

Help your intestines

90% of serotonin, oddly enough, is secreted not by the brain, but by the intestines. Recent research from the Irish National Institute has confirmed that people with depression have impaired gut function and microflora balance. It turns out that beneficial microbes can stimulate the gut and cause it to produce serotonin. Read more about the study by following the link in the bibliography.

To restore the state of microflora, use probiotics and foods rich in dietary fiber - vegetables, fruits, cereals.

Book an appointment for acupuncture or massage

During acupuncture, the body releases endorphin, so after a session performed by a master of oriental medicine, you can feel a surge of bliss. If you are afraid of needles, sign up for a massage. Touching the skin releases oxytocin.

Hug your loved ones more often

Every person associates hugs with the comfort that he felt in his mother’s arms, so hugging another person really makes him happy and confident. And all thanks to the hormone oxytocin.

Interesting fact!

Scientists have found low levels of oxytocin in people with autism and Asperger's syndrome. Possibly due to an inability to secrete the hormone, autistic people do not like to be touched. After all, the stimulus for the production of oxytocin is physical contact. In 2007, an experiment was conducted at the Mount Sinai Medical School in the United States and oxytocin was administered intravenously to adults with autism. Patient behavior has changed. They began to better recognize the intonation of their interlocutor’s speech. Read more about the study in the bibliography at the end of the article.

Walk in the sun

Depression is more likely to occur when the days become shorter than the nights. As you know, in the absence of light, the brain releases melatonin. It causes us lethargy, drowsiness and apathy.

If you expose your skin to the sun's rays, ultraviolet light will trigger the production of vitamin D, which is involved in the production of serotonin.

Go to an amusement park

A little risk and a shake-up for your nervous system is a great way to get happy hormones. The same effect can be obtained when watching horror films.

Start playing sports and exercise

Just 30 - 35 minutes of physical exercise, and the level of happiness hormones will normalize. The fact is that when we move, we release stress hormones. Our body perceives any physical activity as danger. When you stop running, the brain believes that the danger is over and releases happy hormones to restore balance.

Achieve your goals

Serotonin is a hormone of self-realization. It stands out when we respect ourselves and recognize our achievements, and also when we receive recognition from others. The scale of goals is absolutely not important for the brain. He will consider you a winner, even if your task was not difficult. The main thing is that you completed it. To make serotonin released more easily, set small goals for yourself and achieve them. The more completed tasks you have, the happier you are.

The material has an information and reference function! Before using any products or services, you must consult a specialist!

Interest, excitement, extreme

It's no secret that to be happy, a person needs to be passionate about some interesting activity. When we lose our zest for life, doctors diagnose prolonged bad mood, and in severe cases, depression. And depression is a low level of the same hormones of happiness.

Interest is very similar to falling in love. When we are passionate about something, the brain produces almost the same set of hormones - dopamine and the aphrodisiac already familiar to us - phenylethylamine. Because of dopamine, you get to work with enthusiasm. And phenylethylamine makes you feel like you love your job. But this does not apply to people who are called “workaholics.” Instead of dopamine, their body releases adrenaline, and interesting work becomes something like a gambling addiction.

Gambling is excessive interest in which there is a risk of loss. Why do we often derive pleasure from the risk of losing something dear? As you know, fear in us is caused by the stress hormone - adrenaline. But when there is a possibility of getting pleasure after taking a risk, phenylethylamine is released along with adrenaline. The latter always forces our brain to release happiness hormones, which is why gambling people like to bet, and extreme sports people like to risk their lives. At the moment of risk, they live in anticipation of happiness. In case of a win, when the danger has passed, the brain calms the extreme sportsman with a decent dose of “happy hormones”.

Interesting fact!

It is well known that norepinephrine has an analgesic effect. This often manifests itself in extreme situations. In a state of passion, a person may, for example, not even notice a severed limb and rush to save a person or attack an enemy.