What does happiness really mean?
What effect does happiness have on our body?
Did you know that Our Genes Respond Positively to The Right Kind of Happiness.
All your questions that have been answered below.
Happiness on a cellular level
Happiness
It seems science has now discovered different levels of happiness on a cellular level.
Below I have included two inserts, one interesting article talking about the difference in what I call artificial happiness and true happiness, the other link is the results of some scientific research.
Instead of filling our lives with “things” that we think make us happy, we need to do some serious introspective questioning as to what really makes us happy, content and fulfilled.
Here is scientific proof telling us that we must eliminate those belief systemsthat don’t cater to our true needs.
Two forms of happiness
Led by Barbara L. Fredrickson, Kenan, Distinguished Professor of psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the researchers looked at the biological influence of the two forms of happiness through the human genome. The link below shows the results of a study: Authors
A functional genomic perspective on human well-being
Participants in this study reported their levels of two different types of happiness:
- Feeling good or hedonic happiness: the kind of happiness you get from buying those new shoes you wanted.
- Doing good or eudemonic happiness: Happiness that comes from searching for meaning in your life, selfless acts of kindness.
Experiencing both types of happiness felt equally happy. They discovered that for conscious experience, neither type of happiness beat the other.
Stronger expression of antibody and antiviral genes
The difference showed however at the genetic level. Those with higher levels of ‘doing good’ happiness, showed a stronger expression of antibody and antiviral genes. What this means is that you are in fact healthier. You could say (and this is my interpretation of it) that your immune system is stronger.
So what does this mean? It means that real happiness, the happiness that comes from a deep level, happiness that brings meaningful, thoughtful, purposeful emotions can actually make you healthier. Artificial happiness that fills the void for a short time, may feel good but there are no health benefits from it.
Human Body Distinguishes Between ‘Hedonic’ and ‘Eudaemonic’ Happiness on Molecular Level
This is another interesting article from Nature world news.
by Tamarra Kemsley
Molecular level
This is where you need to stop and strip back all the beliefs of who you think you are and listen very carefully to your inner self, because even on a molecular level, the human body is able to distinguish between meaningful purpose versus simple self-gratification
Listen to what motivates you, listen to that inspiring self. Listen to your true self and discover what you need in order to be fulfilled, happy and peaceful.
Well-being
I think most people feel good when they are able to help others. No matter what material things we own, it is essentially communication with other human beings that gives us purpose in our lives.
“Philosophers have long distinguished two basic forms of well-being: a ‘hedonic’ form representing an individual’s pleasurable experiences, and a deeper ‘eudaemonic,’ form that results from striving toward meaning and a noble purpose beyond simple self-gratification,” wrote Fredrickson and her colleagues.
Peace
Now I have to say I have never heard the two words before hedonic and eudaemonic but perhaps I should have. Teaching the meaning of happiness would be great in our education system, teaching people what one really needs to be happy.
All images are thanks to Pixabay.
I hope you enjoyed the post for today.
Lets get out there and do what it is that really makes us happy. If you have anything to add on the topic I would love to hear form you, please go down to the comment box below and leave me a comment, that would be great.
Love and light.
Be Happy.
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Comments
Thank you Sandra appreciate that very much. :) glad you enjoyed. Merle you are so right helping others is truly the high of happiness, the pleasure you get from giving... thank you :) Thank you Terri for always the wonderful words of encouragement, I am blessed to have all of you take the time to read what I have to say.. thank You :)
Rhonda and Chris, Excellent commentary on happiness. Thank You. I shared it on google+ .
Great article Rhonda and Chris and very interesting. I also feel that helping others is a great form of happiness as I know I feel that way when I can help someone. l thanks for sharing.
I have to agree that happiness comes when you are able to help someone who really needs it. It's a great feeling you have inside and you want it to last forever. I try to help people by giving them a hand up not a hand out. Sometimes it depends on the situation if they really need a hand out (such as food or money), then I do. This is a decision I pray about first to God and he directs me on the right thing to do in the various situations. Thanks Rhonda for writing this post. You know I love reading them. Have a blessed week.