Ways of Being Happy: Discerning Sources of Happiness among Young Adults and Adults

Abstract

Although we may sometimes neglect to cultivate our own happiness, feeling happy is intrinsically important. If we are happy it has added knock on effects and benefits. These include us becoming more compassionate and feeling healthier both physically and emotionally. We become more creative, witty, energetic and fun to be around and it can also lead us to become more financially successful.When it comes to defining what happiness is, it is usually defined as a multidimensional component of unconscious, cognitive, and motivational processes that are unique to how life is interpreted and received by individuals (Lyubomirsky, Tkach, D fulfilling needs (Michalos, 1980); and fulfilling one's life plan (Chekola, 1975). Some researchers suggested that it is not possible to ever completely fulfill one's needs and achieve total happiness. Needs appear to be cyclical in nature, with new ones appearing as old ones are met (Houston, 1981; Tatarkiewicz, 1976).* A second theory, in the activity theory, the suggestion is made that happiness is the by-product of Important activities and goals (Csikszentinihalyi, 1975).* A third theory, the bottom-up theory, is suggestive that happiness is the basic result of many small pleasures which have accumulated from the bottom-up (Kozma & Stones, 1980).* A fourth theory, the bottom-down theory, is based on the idea that a general attitude of happiness is experienced first and later is dispersed to positively influence the events one experiences in life in a positive manner (Andrews & Withey, 1974; Tatarkiewicz, 1976). …