What Exactly is Happiness? And How Can We

Achieve It?

The pursuit of happiness is a journey, not a destination

Written by: Maryam Afzal

Jun 10, 2025

We all chase it, talk about it, and sometimes feel like it's just out of reach: Happiness, but what is it? Is it a fleeting emotion, a constant state of bliss, or something else entirely? And more importantly, how do we achieve it, especially when life suddenly throws us surprising and unexpected trials?

Let's dive in and demystify this elusive feeling.

Happiness is a complex and multi-dimensional emotion that encompasses a wide range of positive feelings, from contentment to intense joy.

It is often associated with positive life experiences such as achieving goals, spending time with loved ones, or engaging in enjoyable activities. However, happiness can also arise spontaneously, without any apparent reason.

What is Happiness?

Let’s try to understand this mysterious emotion.

Happiness is deeply connected to well-being and overall life satisfaction.

Happiness is something people seek, yet its definition can vary from person to person. Generally, happiness is an emotional state characterised by feelings of joy, contentment, peace, and fulfilment.

While there are many different definitions of happiness, it is often described as a combination of positive emotions and life satisfaction. But what exactly is happiness? Is it a fleeting emotion, a lasting state of bliss, or something else entirely?

When most people talk about the true meaning of happiness, they may be referring to how they feel in the present moment or to their overall sense of how life is going — a broader emotional experience.

Defining Happiness: An Impossible Task?

Consider this: happiness doesn’t look the same for everyone. For some, it’s the thrill of success; for others, it’s the peace that comes from meaningful connections. Philosophers, psychologists, and poets have pondered this question for centuries.

There may not be one perfect definition, but we can understand happiness through these dimensions:

A state of calm:

A sense of peace, contentment, and ease.

A blend of emotions:

Happiness includes joy, excitement, gratitude, and other positive feelings.

A sense of purpose and meaning:

True happiness often comes from feeling connected to something greater.

Absence of distress:

While we all face challenges, happiness is usually tied to fewer negative emotions and less stress.

Perhaps happiness is better understood not as a destination, but as a journey—one of growth, learning, and savouring small everyday moments.

The Two Core Components of Happiness:

1. Emotional Balance:

Everyone experiences both positive and negative emotions. Happiness generally involves having more positive feelings than negative ones.

2. Life Satisfaction:

This is about how satisfied you feel with various aspects of your life—relationships, work, achievements, and other things you consider important.

Aristotle’s View on Happiness:

The ancient philosopher Aristotle defined happiness as the ultimate human goal, with all other desires serving as paths to it.

He believed that there were four levels of happiness:

instant gratification,
comparison and achievement,
contribution to others, and
fulfilment and flourishing.

Aristotle suggested that happiness comes through the "golden mean," which is a balance between excess and deficiency.

The Pursuit of Happiness:

For centuries, happiness has been a central topic in both philosophy and psychology. While there is no universally accepted definition, happiness is generally considered a state of mind characterised by positive emotions, a sense of purpose, and fulfilment.

We all chase happiness, talk about it, and often feel like it’s just out of reach. But the real question is: How do we attain it? Especially when life suddenly throws challenges our way?

Studies show that people who experience higher levels of happiness enjoy better physical and mental health, stronger social connections, and greater resilience in facing adversity, compared to those who struggle to find happiness.

Will Reaching Your Goals Make You Happy?

While the idea of happiness varies from one individual to another, psychologists look for specific signs when measuring it.

Key Indicators of Happiness Include:

Feeling like you're living the life you want.
Being flexible and going with the flow.
Believing your life circumstances are good.
Enjoying healthy and positive relationships.
Feeling that you’ve achieved—or will achieve—your goals.
Feeling content with your life.
Experiencing more positive than negative emotions.
Being open to new experiences and ideas.
Practising self-care and treating yourself with compassion.
Feeling and expressing gratitude.
Living life with a sense of meaning and purpose.
Wanting to share your happiness with others.

It’s important to remember that happiness isn’t a permanent state. Rather, it's an overall feeling of experiencing more positive than negative emotions.

What Are Happy People Like?

Even happy individuals experience human emotions like anger, sadness, boredom, loneliness, or frustration. But when facing adversity, they tend to carry a deep-seated hope that things will improve, that they can handle what’s happening and that happiness will return.

Even people who’ve endured trauma can still experience happiness, though it may look very different from others, and it may take longer to find that balance.

Everlasting Happiness: An Impossible Wish

Here’s the truth: happiness doesn’t mean feeling joyful all the time. That idea is unrealistic—and exhausting. Life has ups and downs. Emotions like sadness, anger, and disappointment are all part of the human experience. Sometimes, trying too hard to always be happy makes us unhappy.

It’s better to view happiness as a direction, not a fixed point. It’s about resilience through life’s ups and downs, finding joy in small moments, and having the strength to face challenges.

So, How Can We Be Happier? A Practical Guide:

There’s no magic formula, but research and real-life experiences offer proven ways to boost happiness:

1. Practice Gratitude (It- Really Works!):

Gratitude is more than a nice feeling—it rewires your brain to think differently.

Make it a daily habit:

Keep a gratitude journal.
Write down three things you are grateful for every day-
Small things like a warm cup of tea, a sunny day, or a kind word.
Thank someone who has helped you in the past.

2. Nurture Relationships:

Humans are social creatures. Strong, meaningful connections are among the biggest contributors to happiness.

Start today:

Reconnect with a friend or relative you haven’t spoken to in a while.
Join a club or volunteer to meet people in your community.

3. Experience "Flow":

Flow is a state where you're so immersed in an activity that you lose track of time. It usually happens during enjoyable, slightly challenging tasks.

Try this:

Do something you love—painting, gardening, music, coding, etc.
Or learn a new skill. The process of learning itself brings happiness.

4. Practice Mindfulness and Presence:

In today’s world, we often dwell on the past or worry about the future. Mindfulness brings us back to now—the only time life is truly happening.

Make time for:

5–10 minutes a day of mindful breathing.
Eating with full attention.
Listening to sounds and observing your surroundings as you walk.

5. Prioritise Physical Health:

The mind and body are deeply connected—neglecting one affects the other.

Make it a habit to:

Exercise regularly—even brisk walking helps lift mood.
Get restful, quality sleep.
Eat nutritious food that fuels your body and brain.

6. Help Others:

Helping others doesn’t just benefit them—it gives you a sense of purpose and connection.

Start simple:

Volunteer for a cause you care about.
Offer to help a neighbour or friend in need.

The Positive Impact of Happiness:

Why is happiness so important? Happiness has been shown to predict better outcomes in many areas of life: mental well-being, physical health, and even longevity.

Resilience allows people to better manage stress and bounce back from setbacks. For example, research shows happy people have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and the following benefits tend to last over time:

Positive emotions increase life satisfaction.
Happiness strengthens coping skills and emotional resources.
Positive feelings are linked to better health and longer life.
Happiness improves resilience.
Happier people get sick less often.
Positive emotional states boost the immune system.

Overcoming Negative Thinking:

If you often feel stuck in negativity or discouragement, find ways to shift your mindset in a more positive direction.

We tend to focus more on what’s wrong than what’s right. This negative bias affects our decisions and perceptions of others. Sometimes we even overlook the good and fixate only on what’s bad, making our thoughts more overwhelming.

This doesn’t mean ignoring reality. Instead, aim to look at situations with balance and realism. This helps you identify negative thought patterns and challenge them effectively.

Avoid Comparing Yourself to Others:

Another key to happiness is to stop comparing yourself to others. Everyone’s life path is different. Focusing on what others have can fuel jealousy and dissatisfaction.

Instead, focus on what you do have. Count your blessings. Gratitude for your own life leads to true happiness.

In Summary: Happiness Is a Practice:

You have the power to create happiness in your life. It doesn’t mean everything is perfect—it means you’re making a conscious effort to grow and live well.

Start small. Choose one or two of these ideas to try. Be kind to yourself, celebrate little wins, and remember: happiness isn’t a destination—it’s a beautiful and ongoing journey.

Share your thoughts below!

What step will you take today to cultivate a little more happiness in your life? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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References & Further Reading

For readers who wish to explore the science and a deeper understanding of happiness, well-being, and related practices, here are some trusted and research-backed resources:

Positive Psychology & The Science of Well-being

American Psychological Association https://www.apa.org/ (Search for “positive psychology” or “well-being” for articles and studies.)
Authentic Happiness – Dr. Martin Seligman https://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/

On Gratitude

Greater Good Science Center – UC Berkeley https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/ (Search for “gratitude” for research, tips, and practices.)

On Social Connections & Happiness

Harvard Study of Adult Development (One of the longest studies on happiness and health. Search online for summaries and articles. A good starting point: Harvard Medical School’s website.)

On Flow State

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi – Concept of Flow (Search for his TED Talks, books like “Flow,” and research articles to understand how deep engagement leads to happiness.)

On Mindfulness

Mindful.org https://www.mindful.org/
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH) https://www.nccih.nih.gov/ (Search for “mindfulness”)

On Physical Well-being & Mental Health

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) https://www.nimh.nih.gov/ (Search terms: “exercise and mental health,” “sleep and mental health”)

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What exactly is happiness? And how can we achieve it?