Happiness-

The science of happiness, happiness is a feeling of joy, pleasure, satisfaction or good fortune. You feel
happy when you have achieved something great in life, or when you do a good deed, when you did
great on your test etc. It is said that ‘Happier individuals tend to be healthier and live longer lives.
Research has shown that happiness and health are connected, well-being can promote better physical
health in many ways. Usually, when people feel good and happy, they are more likely to engage in
healthy behaviors such as exercising and eating well, and they are less likely to engage in unhealthy
behaviors such as smoking and substance use. Happiness has power over your immune system and
can help alleviate pain.

Biological POV
Happiness isn’t just a state of mind. It affects your heart rate, your body chemistry, and it contributes
to physical health benefits over time.
there are four hormones of happiness, in the brain, they are called neurotransmitters but in the rest of
the body, they are called hormones. They function slightly different in the brain than they do in the
rest of the body. For example, Serotonin in the body helps regulate your digestive tract, and in the
brain, it helps regulate your mood. To help keep these functions separate, there’s something called the
blood-brain barrier.
Serotonin is only one of the neurotransmitters. The others are dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins.
Dopamine has plenty of uses in both the body and the brain. It is involved in many of the processes
that define humanity, including learning, lactation, persistence, pain perception, sleep, and even
movement. Naturally it also has a significant impact on our mood. Dopamine is also called the
pleasure hormone.
Serotonin resides primarily in the stomach, but also plays a significant role in the brain as well
including regulating eating and sleeping. Low serotonin leads not only to anxiety and depression but
has also been linked to gastric symptoms. Serotonin is important in regulating your brain. When your
serotonin levels are normal, you’ll feel calmer, more focused, less anxious and generally happier.
Oxytocin is also known as the love hormone, it is linked to trust and relaxation but also plays an
important role in other processes. The production of oxytocin in the brain also boosts the production
of dopamine and serotonin. It comes from amino acids.
Endorphins are produced by the body to relieve pain or stress. They also trigger the release of
dopamine.
According to a recent study, happiness has a significant impact on physical health.
Andrew Steptoe, Jane Wardle, and Michael Marmot, British researchers, asked 228 volunteers, ages
45-59 to rate their happiness over a workday and a leisure day, and monitored their blood pressure and
heart rate regularly. Volunteers also gave saliva samples and completed a mental stress test. People
with higher happiness ratings not only had a lower heart rate, but also lower levels of cortisol, a stress
hormone, in their saliva and a lower concentration of plasma linked to heart disease in their blood.
While some of the differences between happier and less happy people were small, the researchers
highlight the potential impact of these seemingly insignificant differences over time. "If differences of
this magnitude are elicited in everyday life when people are exposed to daily hassles and challenges,"
the researchers write, "the result could be a marked difference in cardiovascular disease risk."
They also note that lower levels of cortisol are associated with a lower long-term risk of abdominal
obesity, type II diabetes, hypertension, and immune system issues.
Studies has shown for years that lowering negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, depression, and
others lowers the risk of heart disease and other illnesses. By connecting the advantages of physical
health with a positive emotional state, this study has gone one step further. In fact, the physical health
benefits of happiness were found to occur regardless of whether or not participants displayed
symptoms of depression or other negative states, according to the researchers' measurements of their
psychological distress.
Socio-Cultural POV
The socio-cultural perspective of happiness is a fascinating topic that has been studied by many
researchers. Culture is another important factor that affects happiness, and it has been shown that
different cultures have different values and beliefs that influence how people look at happiness.
Insights from an African study-
There is an African study that aimed to examine how cultural values shape an individuals’ experiences
of happiness. Researchers found that individuals who strongly identified with these cultural values
reported higher levels of happiness compared to those who prioritized individualism and materialism.
The researchers have also found that strong family ties, supportive friendships and a sense of
community were significant factors contributing to overall well-being. The study focused on the
impact of social relationships on happiness. This finding is consistent with the social nature of African
societies, where interdependence and mutual support are highly valued. It also examines the role of
economic factors.
Another interesting aspect of the study was its exploration of resilience and happiness in African
communities. The researchers discovered that people with high levels of resilience, defined as the
ability to recover from difficulty, stated higher levels of happiness. This discovery shows the
importance of psychological and emotional well-being in search of happiness. It also highlights the
resilience and strength of Africans who face various challenges and setbacks with a positive attitude.
Lastly the African study offers important insights into the socio-cultural perspective on happiness. It
highlights the role of cultural values, social relationships, economic factors, and persistence in
determining individual well-being. Understanding all of this lets us to promote happiness in a variety
of cultural contexts and a broader view to well-being.

Psychological POV
Happiness is a complex emotion that can be influenced by a variety of factors. According to hedonic
theory of happiness, happiness is the result of experiencing more positive emotions than negative
ones. However, this theory has been criticized for being too simplistic and fails to acknowledge for
the complexity of human emotions.
Another theory of happiness is the eudemonic theory, which suggests that happiness comes from
living a meaningful life and fulfilling one’s potential. The theory emphasizes the importance of
personal growth, self-acceptance and social responsibility in achieving happiness.

Martin Seligman is renowned psychologist and the founder of positive psychology, which focuses on
developing character traits and human strengths to enhance well-being. His book ‘Flourish: A
visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being’ presents Seligman’s new concept of well-
being and how to make the most out of life by cultivating one’s skills, building deep relationships
with others, finding joy and making a significant contribution to society. It also includes interactive
exercises to help readers explore their own attitudes and aims.

Dan Gilbert is a Harvard psychologist who has conducted extensive research on the science of
happiness and is the author of the book ‘Stumbling on happiness’. In his tad talk, ‘the surprising
science of happiness’ Gilbert challenges the idea that our beliefs about what will make us happy are
often wrong. He argues that our brains are wired to make us think that we know what we want when
we really don’t.
Gilbert’s talk changes the way we look at happiness. It says that we don’t need to achieve all our goals
to make us happy. Instead, we can learn to appreciate what we have and find happiness in unexpected
places. We can find happiness through tough times if we learn to strengthen our psychological
defenses.

Markku Ojanen is a Finnish psychologist, emeritus professor and author. He has written many books
on the topic of happiness. In his work, Ojanen highlights the significance of developing an optimistic
perspective on life. According to him having a family, healthy kids, a job and good relationships with
colleagues are some of the important elements that Finnish people associate with happiness.
in his book ‘can we raise the level of happiness?’ Ojanen discusses how the pursuit of happiness has
been a perpetual goal for humankind. He also mentions that various means to happiness have been
suggested by philosophers and theologians alike.
The Harvard Study of adult development
One of the longest-running studies on happiness and well-being is the Harvard Study of Adult
Development. It began in 1938 and has followed a group of participants over several decades to learn
what makes a life happy and fulfilling.
Key Findings-
Positive Relationships: The study found that positive relationships are the most important factor in
happiness and well-being. Good relationships not only protect our mental and emotional health but
also have a positive impact on our physical health.
Social Fitness: Maintaining healthy and balanced relationships is essential for happiness. The concept
of "social fitness" highlights the importance of practicing effective communication, empathy, and
support in our interpersonal relationships.
Longevity: According to the study, positive relationships not only make us happier, but they also help
us live longer and healthier lives. Our overall well-being and life satisfaction are heavily influenced
by the quality of our relationships.
Reflection and Self-Care: According to the research, taking time for self-reflection and assessing the
state of our relationships can be beneficial. Regularly assessing our social connections and taking into
consideration what we give and receive in relationships can assist us in making improvements and
maintaining healthy connections.

Conclusion
In conclusion, happiness has a significant impact on physical health as it can lower heart rate,
reduce stress hormone levels and decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. Additionally,
cultural values, social relationships, and personal growth play important roles in determining
individual well-being. Finally, maintaining positive relationships, practicing effective
communication and allowing time for self-reflection are crucial for overall well-being and
life satisfaction

References

1. Steptoe, A., Wardle, J., & Marmot, M. (2005). Positive affect and health-related
neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, and inflammatory processes. Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 102(18), 6508–
6512. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0409174102
The Biology of Happiness | Greater Good (berkeley.edu)

2. Matt Phelan
Happiness Biological Perspective | The Happiness Index

3. Psychology of Happiness: A Summary of the Theory & Research

4. Socio-Cultural Basis of Happiness: African Existential Perspective

6. Martin Seligman & Positive Psychology: Theory and Practice (pursuit-of-happiness.org)

7. International Day of Happiness | Markku Ojanen

8. Professor Robert Waldinger is director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, one
of the world’s longest studies of adult life
Over nearly 80 years, Harvard study has been showing how to live a healthy and happy life —
Harvard Gazette