The popular English writer Samuel Johnson once said “Deviation from nature is deviation from happiness". What exactly is happiness though? Many define it as a simple concept like being in good spirits and others have more complex philosophical definitions. The fact of the matter is that all of us have a different interpretation of happiness and what it means to us. In general, happiness can be defined as a state of contentment with life. Everything we do affects it, from seemingly simple things such as how we dress all the way to more broad categories such as where we live. It is no coincidence that taking a walk outside every once in a while just to get some fresh air clears our mind and lifts our mood. In modern day more and more evidence …show more content…
The most notable is “An urban-rural happiness gradient” by Brian Berry & Adam Okulicz-Kozaryn. In their research, they use data collected by the General Social Survey from 1972- 2008 (36 years) to confirm that in contrast to other parts of the world, the United States shows this “gradient” of happiness between urban and rural areas. Of course correlation does not equal causation, as “happiness” is affected by multiple factors such as wealth, race and so on, but it does show correlation nonetheless (Berry & Okulicz-Kozaryn 2011). As the authors put it, “There are many benefits of big-city living; high levels of happiness are not among them.” In a more recent study in Los Angeles, Richard E. Adams of Mt. Sinai School of Medicine and Richard T. Serpe of California State University examine the relationship between the local community’s fear of crime and subjective well-being. They found that people living in the suburbs feel much less vulnerable to crime and much less fearful than residents of Los Angeles County. They conclude that feelings of vulnerability and fear of crime have their major impact on life satisfaction by “indirectly decreasing people’s sense of control over their lives” (Adams & Serpe 2000). This subconscious fear is one that is …show more content…
2010). The robotic lifestyle that urbanization harbors takes a bigger toll on us than we realize. Along with having a repetitive schedule every day that usually includes a cycle between work, school and sleep with other responsibilities thrown in the mix we can get mentally exhausted. Needing to get away from it all is a big reason why people travel and explore different parts of the world all the time. Taking a “break” from the typical urban lifestyle is not the only reason we feel a sense of relaxation being outdoors. On a biological level, that good feeling that we get from being outside and taking a fresh breath of air stems from the fact that our great ancestors survived off the land and that we still carry that instinct (Ryan et al. 2010). Many people even have wallpapers of natural landscapes that bring them a relaxing feeling when they look at it. Fortunately, some of the most beautiful places in these photos such as Niagara Falls are under heavy environmental protection as they are a huge tourist attraction for a reason. Additionally, most of the food we eat comes from farms and it just proves that urban cities are reliant on rural areas for their food production. With the current issues of erosion, pollution and urbanization of rural areas… how would human happiness would be affected by these changes in the
Happiness is the positive emotion and contentment one feels naturally. Many Psychology studies have been concluded to display what pure happiness is. In the article, “In Pursuit of Unhappiness” by Darrin M. McMahon, he indicates that happiness cannot be forced. In the article, McMahon mentions a philosopher, John Stuart Mill, who acknowledges as well, that happiness can not be forced. He says that if one focuses on something other than their own happiness, happiness will come to them naturally. By what Mill says, people should be encouraged that happiness will come to them and can not force happiness to them. Another example is Jeffrey Kluger’s article, “The Happiness of Pursuit”, he talks about how people focus on never being happy. He says,
There is this feeling we all experience when we step away from the chaos of rushing cars, infrastructure, and artificial lights, and we step into nature. Some describe it as bliss, comfort, excitement, pleasure or just pure happiness. This is the answer to the question Paul Bloom asks “Why should we care about nature?” in his article “Natural Happiness.” Paul goes through this process in which he uncovers the fact that “real natural habitats provide significant sources of pleasure for modern humans”, regardless of our need for food, clean water, and air. There are 3 main arguments that Paul makes in this article that I find particularly interesting, they include: “Our hunger for the natural is everywhere. In many regards our species has already kissed nature goodbye, and we are better off for it. There is a considerable mismatch between
Happiness is a feeling that everyone tries to accomplish, yet some people sometimes only capture portions of it. In Brian Doyle essay, “Irreconcilable Dissonance,” he explains that divorce is becoming common among many couples today. Most couples are putting less effort into making a relationship/marriage work. There are many couples who get married, and most of them know that if the marriage does not work that divorce is always an option. With divorce in their back of their mind they lack the true meaning of having a happy marriage. In Eduardo Porter essay, “What Is Happiness,” Porter states that happiness is determined by people’s qualities in their life. People who experience a positive viewpoint on life and about others are overall to
But what does happiness really mean? People might say smiling, or being with your loved ones but according to google happiness feeling or showing pleasure or contentment. What makes you happy? Dose your friends make you happy? Or your pet? Or even a video game? These things make many people happy but how is happiness triggered? Well google says that there are four primary chemicals in the brain that affect happiness: Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins. I'd did some research and found out that each one you trigger your happiness will go up, which increases productivity in your brain. So the happier you are the harder you think. We know what happiness means, but what does the pursuit of happiness mean? I did some research and found out that the meaning of the pursuit of happiness means, google says the pursuit The pursuit of happiness is defined as a fundamental right mentioned in the Declaration of Independence to freely pursue joy and live life in a way that makes you happy, as long as you don't do anything illegal or violate the rights of others. I agree with this definition because I do this every day, I go to school and see my friends, that makes me happy. I also play video games and hang out with my family. These things make me happy and I'm not violating any laws while doing this. You also can’t buy happiness. Happiness comes from within and it can’t be valued at a certain price. Charles
In the book, The How of Happiness, author and researcher Sonja Lyubomirsky sets her book apart from other self-awareness books by being the first to utilize empirical studies. She uses data gained through scientific method to provide support for her hypothesis. This hypothesis consists mainly of the idea that we have the ability to overcome genetic predisposition and circumstantial barriers to happiness by how we think and what we do. She emphasizes that being happier benefits ourselves, our family and our community. “The How of Happiness is science, and the happiness-increasing strategies that [she] and other social psychologists have developed are its key supporting players” (3).
Before we look into specifics, we’ll examine the history and development of “happiness” as a philosophy. Of course, the emotion of happiness has always existed, but it began to be seriously contemplated around 2,500 years ago by philosophers like Confucius, Buddha, Socrates and Aristotle. Shortly after Buddha taught his followers his Noble Eight Fold Path (which we will talk about later), Aristotle was teaching that happiness is “dependent on the individual” (Aristotle).
Happiness, what is it, and why do we strive to achieve it so persistently? Happiness in some points of view is portrayed as the state that is derived from self-awareness of a benefiting action or moment taking place. What of the moments that are not beneficial? Can a person still find moments of happiness and success in discord, a little glimmer of light shining from the deep recesses of our own consciousness? Plucking it from a mere moment, achieved from money, or is it so much more, happiness is the precipice that all strive to gain to better perceive their success. As a person lives, they are in a constant struggle to be happy. For instance, even the United States Constitution makes reference to the idea that every person has the inalienable right to pursue happiness. This was the resulting outcome of the enlightenment from France, spilling out into the rest of the world from 1650 through 1800. This revolutionized the idea that every single person has the inalienable right to happiness or in different views the right to succeed. As to how one peruses or conjures their happiness that is an entirely different concept and completely up to their preferred preference, but it is something that a person needs to find on their own for true success.
But in this debate, one question still raises its head - What is happiness? Happiness is not actually leading a luxurious life, but the luxury of living a life. Happiness is not actually about expanding your business, but it lies in expanding the horizons of life. Happiness is not having a meal in the most famous restaurant, but having it with your most beloved family. It does not lie in attending honorable parties, but to attend a party with honor.
When I think of the perfect place, I imagine a cascading waterfall, a vast forest, a stunning mountainside, or a warm sunset on the beach. I look up around me, mesmerized by the vastness of the natural world and breathe in the fresh air. Over the course of my life, I have come to respect the environment and the earth’s natural surroundings in ways that most others do not in the industrialized and technological era of today. I can appreciate the beauty of the Earth and of all the different landscapes and organisms that surround me. The way in which I value and treasure the environment has evolved just as I have. I see the environment as something to be preserved and admired, not destroyed or exploited. My relationship with the environment is
With more needs for nature experience and sustainable development in urban areas, increasing importance has been attached to urban open spaces since they play a crucial role to support the ecology system and form a natural network in the cities (Chiesura, 2004; Tzoulas et al., 2007). Urban open spaces include plazas, parks, campus, greenways and other green spaces. They serve as islands of nature, enriching urban landscapes, adjusting the microclimate, promoting biodiversity and providing habitats for other species (Chiesura, 2004; Do, Kim, Kim, & Joo, 2014; Morimoto, 2011). Apart from these benefits, they also show a great impact on urban dwellers’ health, since open spaces offer places for outdoor activities and opportunities for contact with nature (Chiesura, 2004). Tyrväinen et al. (2014) indicated that even short-term visits to urban green spaces have positive psychological and physiological effects on perceived stress relief. People were attracted to urban open spaces for physical activities, social interactions, and a relief from daily life, which benefit their mental and physical health (Thwaites, Helleur, & Simkins, 2005). A large epidemiological study in Britain looked at mortality and morbidity among three income levels in relation to urban residents’ access to green open space (Mitchell & Popham,
Happiness is an inner state of well-being and fulfilment, and therefore it has to come from inside. Every individual has his or her own emotions and way of thinking and as a result of this no one can really say what happiness is and what happiness is not. However, universally, happiness is a by-product of a healthy attitude and viewpoint. Happiness exists in everyone whether they choose to acknowledge and believe it or not. It is not rare nor is it something only the elite have: everyone has it but not everyone recognizes it. Contentment is finding a light at the end of every dark tunnel and in order to experience this we must ignore the pessimism surrounding us and remind ourselves that happiness is not a materialistic object but a choice and frame of mind.
Most of us are aware that spending time in nature is good for us. Not so many, however, can say exactly why this is the case. Although understanding the exact reasons why the natural world can positively influence your general well-being isn’t going to increase the benefit, it might just inspire you to get out there and spend more time in our planet’s very own, natural quality-of-life-enhancer - nature itself. Below, we’ve listed five of these reasons in hope of doing just that…
Happiness is a feeling that cannot be broken if strong enough, no matter how much sadness or hate is around you. Happiness can come from the smallest thing, for instance, music makes me happy and can easily change my mood, or when I am doing something I love my mood is easily changed. For others it could be whenever you do something well, or right and get recognition for it. It is the easiest feeling to be spread and given out but often neglected and forgotten about which is something we should all be more aware
Physical surroundings of people help define the nature, intensity, and longevity of their values. A wealth of resources or mild climate creates a sense of well-being and optimism. In contrast rugged terrain, harsh weather, frequent disaster, and a lack of resources can create cynicism, fear of nature, and a need for interdependency to ensure mutual survival. To a degree we can connect favorable conditions with a higher standard of living and more competitive and detail oriented values.
Happiness is a state of mind. The dictionary definition is "feelings of joy and pleasure mingled together”. A feeling of happiness is more than just an experience of joy or pleasure. It is a state of mind where the individual feels that “life is good”. As Aristotle says, “happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” I believe that everyone wants to be happy in life. One is abnormal if he prefers to be sad and alone.