What makes you happy? Is it money? good health?

[mrplunkey]

I don't have the complete answer, but it sure isn't money.

Money is a wonderful thing, but people who are happy with it have one common characteristic -- they see money as life's "lubricant" as opposed to a vehicle to happiness in and of itself.

 

[Lao Tzu]

A vareity of factors go into happiness, and it isn't nearly as complex or esoteric as most people think.

-Genetics
-Good nutrition (healthy fats for brain development, certain vitamins/minerals for chemical reactions in the brain. Omega 3s, methyl donors, B vitamins, selenium, magnesium, zinc, etc)
-Cognitive dissonance and neural scaffolding (pretending to be happy activates the same brain areas as actually being happy)
-The ability to see what your life 'should' be compared to what your life 'is' and see alot of similiarity. Massive disconnects between the should and is leads to depression
-Meaningful relationships with others where you are connected and useful

Those are the 5 big factors I know of. With money or success, you just get used to it and the enjoyment goes away with time. I have researched this issue pretty thoroughly

 

[velvett]

A vareity of factors go into happiness, and it isn't nearly as complex or esoteric as most people think.

-Genetics
-Good nutrition (healthy fats for brain development, certain vitamins/minerals for chemical reactions in the brain. Omega 3s, methyl donors, B vitamins, selenium, magnesium, zinc, etc)
-Cognitive dissonance and neural scaffolding (pretending to be happy activates the same brain areas as actually being happy)
-The ability to see what your life 'should' be compared to what your life 'is' and see alot of similiarity. Massive disconnects between the should and is leads to depression
-Meaningful relationships with others where you are connected and useful

Those are the 5 big factors I know of. With money or success, you just get used to it and the enjoyment goes away with time. I have researched this issue pretty thoroughly

Aside from being totally in awe of this post - I totally agree with it as well.

 

[hanselthecaretaker]

Besides all the things most of us often take for granted but shouldn't (health, basic necessities, people, etc.) happiness is having challenge and reward with a ratio of at least 1:1, respectively.

 

[deco]

money

 

[seizer]

More money = more expectation = more stress = perhaps not a healthy life.
money will only make you happy if you appreciate it. if you make it seem like nothing, it will indeed have very little value to you. and thus, wont make you happy. atleast not for very long.

happiness in life is making your life what you want it to become. what you envisioned. at the end of the day, its all about you getting what you want. if you didnt have it, you could you not provide your brain enough reason to smile.

 

[biteme]

Everything good and pure.

 

[healother]

I give you a hint.

It's pink and wet.

lol

 

[healother]

-The ability to see what your life 'should' be compared to what your life 'is' and see alot of similiarity. Massive disconnects between the should and is leads to depression

how does one make this happen? I think the way my life should be, is drastically different from the way that it is. Am I supposed to lower my standards? Or find some miracle solution to getting everything I want?


ps: good post btw.

 

[hanselthecaretaker]

Dead Lemmings

lol wow, I'm wondering if you actually expect people to listen to you let alone take you seriously with posts like that. It seems rather pointless to me, and the worst part is I can understand your attitude. However I also understand that this type of disposition makes one no better than those he or she denounces to begin with.