Happiness it is said, is akin to a remote control. We lose it every time and then become crazy looking for it everywhere, not knowing that we are sitting on top of it.

While there are innumerable articles that share the reasons for unhappiness as well as reasons to remain happy, the secret to stay happy is somewhat simple! And, let me share that safely guarded secret- the secret to happiness is to have a bad memory! Ha Ha!

On a serious note, it is about maximizing the positives and minimizing the negatives.

And it all begins with self-awareness. Not to sound too profound, but how many of us want to think of positive experiences and re-live them, just because they have the power to make us happy. We have enough time to search for reasons to think of the sadder experiences and compare ourselves with others and seek empathy. A situation we put ourselves into.

Meaning of Happiness

The idea of happiness and its meaning is not new. Happiness as a state of mind, independent of pleasure or pain has been dealt with in Bhagavad Gita in detail, in chapters 2, 5, 6 and 18. And the impact of happiness is much more than what we imagine. The Chandogya Upanishad says, truth is subject to science, science is subject to study, study is dependent on respect, respect depends on concentration, which, in turn, depends on happiness.

Positivity Potion

Being positive is a daily challenge. It calls for focus, attention and intention to stay positive. More importantly, it calls for overcoming daily or hourly threats of slipping into negativity. Numerous studies have shown that optimists are physically and psychologically healthier than pessimists. Martin Seligman at the University of Pennsylvania had conducted extensive research on the topic. His study concluded that pessimists’ health deteriorated far more rapidly as they aged.

Researchers at Yale and the University of Colorado found that pessimism is associated with a weakened immune response to tumors and infection. Researchers from the University of Kentucky, through their studies found that optimists had a much stronger immune response than pessimists.

Performance Potion

A positive attitude not only catalyses good health, but also brings solid performance at the workplace. Seligman’s research on this topic showed that people can transform a tendency toward pessimistic thinking into positive thinking through simple techniques that create lasting changes in behavior long after they are discovered.

Indexing Happiness

The World Happiness Report, an annual publication of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network contains rankings of national happiness and analysis of the data from various perspectives. It surveys the state of global happiness. The World Happiness Report 2018 ranks 156 countries by their happiness levels, and 117 countries by the happiness of their immigrants. Fans of Santa Claus won’t be surprised to hear that Finland is the happiest place to live. In contrast, our country is ranked 133 — a steady decline from 111 in 2013. The objective of this Report is to use the data to help guide public policy, using measurements of well-being to assess the progress of the nation.

Happiness Theories

Some simple happiness theories are those that life teaches us. These theories work, but only when you believe in them. Let’s start believing in these theories, because these theories are under no obligation to make sense to any of us!

Money can’t buy happiness. Yet people spend their entire lives trying to prove this theory!
Family and friends are happiness boosters. Be Nice to them!
People in stable relationships are happier than others. May be a worthy enough reason to get hooked up!
Happy people do not waste their time thinking of the unpleasant!
Believers are Happy. You need to belief in yourself.
Your well- being is not dependent on others. So, stop comparing yourself to others!

Happiness Secrets

Here are three things that one can do to remain positive:

Be Real: most of negativity stems from thoughts and are not fueled by facts. One way to get real is to write down the thoughts and then revisit these thoughts with intelligence rather than emotions. Evaluate the thought and check its validity. It is said that the thoughts that are associated with words like never, always, worst, ever, etc, are often fictitious and are a reflection of negativity. Sometimes if the thought remains strong, get it validated with a third person.

Be Positive: Once the brain begins to stop focusing on the negative, it automatically steps into the positive. Any positive thought will do to refocus your brain’s attention. When things are going well, it becomes easy, but when the going is tough, the mind gets easily polluted with negative thoughts. It is at this time that it helps to identify a positive thought or fact that has occurred and then re-focus on the present.

Be Thankful: One takes happiness for granted. Being grateful is not just the right thing to do, but studies indicate that being grateful helps to reduce the stress hormone cortisol by 23%. This leads to positive energy all around.

Finally, it all works when the mind works. Bringing it all together is by far the most difficult part. Telling the brain to break old habits and forcing the brain to un-learn and then re-learn can be quite exasperating! But this is what this journey is all about. Push aside negativity. Let’s remember, when life shuts a door, open it! It’s only a door and that’s how doors work😊

(Bhavna Singh is Director Communications, Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India, OPPI)