The Science Behind Happiness

Welcome, my dear readers, to an adventure through the science behind happiness! Happiness is something we all wish for; it is the thing we long for during finals weeks, and it is the thing that invades our most precious moments. But what exactly is happiness? For many, happiness is a positive emotion associated with joy. But in this blog, I hope to help you unravel the fascinating science behind what makes us smile and laugh. 

What determines happiness? The answer to that question lies in the pie and not the pie you eat on Thanksgiving but the scientific kind created through research. Many may assume that happiness is an emotion, so it must be determined by your experiences and actions like journaling, volunteering, and laughing. Still, scientists have also found that not only is one of the underlying factors of happiness circumstances and intentional activities, but it is also predetermined by the biology and genetics of a person. Of course, this doesn't mean you have no say in your happiness or that next time you're in a fight with your parents, you can say you made me genetically unhappy. But it does mean that not all of your happiness is determined by just one thing.  

Happiness is like a pie.

So how can scientists discover that some of the underlying factors of happiness are due to genetics? For many scientists, the studying of emotions, mainly those such as happiness, has been found to be a significant challenge. How do you measure something as subjective as happiness? After all, our definitions and levels of happiness are all different. To answer this question, scientists have brainstormed and looked at other research and tools, including identical twins; yes, some of the very people you are friends have the ability to be a vital tool for genetic studies. But why identical twins? Identical twins have the same genes making them prime candidates to understand their psychological differences while also studying the level of variance in their trait attributes due to genetic variation and their differences due to environmental similarities and differences. 

Recent research by scientists such as Susan Zinn has been found to support that close to 40% of human happiness is a result of your genes. In research like the Journal of Happiness Studies, researchers have found that certain variations among genes may predispose individuals to experience more positive emotions. Other studies, such as a 2018 study in Norway, found that certain personality traits inherited from parents influenced the percentage of happiness determined by genetics. Some of these traits include neuroticism, extraversion, and disposition.

So what does it mean for you? Well, it could mean a lot of things, especially considering that we are always learning more through science and that new research is constantly being found through scientific studies and observations. While this may seem unfair that you may not have as much predisposition to happiness as other people, you still have a say in your own emotions, and that doesn't mean you can never be as happy as someone else. This is truly only part of the foundation of your happiness, and it is very important to remember that happiness is not entirely determined through your genetic makeup and that your experiences and actions can also determine your feelings. 

    Genetic Happiness

One of the other scientific factors behind the bliss we call happiness is the neurological chemicals found in your body. Some of these hormones you may even know of include Serotonin, Dopamine, Oxytocin, and Endorphins. 

Your happiness Hormones

Let's start with the superstar of happiness hormones, Dopamine. The hormone dopamine is often associated with pleasure, reward, and motivation. This chemical is part of the reward system found in your brain, and when you accomplish a goal or engage in fun activities, dopamine floods your brain. This rush from Dopamine gives your brain a pat on the back and motivates you to keep experiencing delightful experiences that can cause you to feel greater levels of happiness. 

Next up is the mood-lifting hormone serotonin. This hormone is very important for the regulation of sleep, mood, and appetite. When you have optimal serotonin levels, you can feel calm and happy. You can boost your serotonin levels in many ways, including exercise, sun exposure, and being in nature.

Have you ever experienced a good old fashion euphoric rush after a workout or long laugh? Well, you can thank endorphins for that fantastic sensation! Endorphins are our bodies natural painkillers and mood enhancers. This hormone inhibits the transmission of pain and enhances our mood. Some easy ways to increase your endorphin levels are exercising, laughing, or even eating dark chocolate. 

When it comes to the warm and fuzzy oxytocin, it will be found center stage. It is known as the "love hormone" because it is associated with bonding and trust. In addition, this hormone helps create a sense of love and empathy. Oxytocin is released Through physical touch and acts of kindness, creating an amazing sense of warmth. 

Boost your happiness

So how do you feel happiness? Well, there are many ways; one of the easiest ways to feel happiness is to exercise. Exercising causes a release of chemicals that boost your sense of happiness while suppressing emotions of stress. Another way you can increase your happiness levels is through relationships. Research has found a connection between people's relationship strength and their levels of happiness. Some other ways you can increase your levels of happiness are by practicing gratitude, meditating, getting sleep, and helping others.   

Did you know Finland is the happiest country in the world? For the past 6 years, Finland has kept its streak of being the world's happiest country. Primarily based on the Gallup World Poll evaluations, the World Happiness Report was created to rank countries by their happiness levels. Some reasons for Finland's happiness streak are low crime levels, a high standard of living, a strong education system, and overall equality.  

Although the U.S. isn't number one as of now in the World Happiness Report, that doesn't mean places in the U.S. haven't taken strides to help further people's education on happiness. At Yale, located in New Haven, Connecticut, Laurie Santa, a professor of psychology, has created a class called the Science of Well-Being. What initially was created as a one-time course has become one of Yale's most popular classes. Throughout the class, students were taught to track sleep patterns, keep a gratitude journal, and perform acts of kindness, alongside many other things. For many students, this class has significantly impacted their mindset and habits, especially following the pandemic when many struggled to find ways to protect their mental health.