Can Happiness be Learned? – Yes! Here are 7 Tested Techniques
Is happiness something that just happens? Is it an emotion that sparks up in response to an external stimulus or event? Or can happiness be learned?
The short answer is yes, happiness can be learned.
Research suggests that happiness is largely a learned skill rather than an innate personality trait.
Studies have shown that individuals can increase their levels of happiness through intentional effort and practice.
That being said, happiness is also your internal personality trait. It is, in fact, the default state. You are supposed to be happy but have learned beliefs and habits throughout your life that cause a disconnect from this default state of happiness.
Therefore, learning happiness is more a case of “unlearning” the things that block you from being naturally happy rather than learning a set of new skills.
So how can happiness be learned? Here we’ll take a quick look at what resources are available to you in your quest for happiness.
Techniques to cultivate happiness
There are several strategies and techniques that have been proven time and time again to be effective in cultivating happiness. These techniques have been used by spiritual masters for centuries, and are now backed up by modern science.
The techniques used for cultivating happiness include practices such as
- Gratitude
- Mindfulness
- Building social connections
- Pursuing meaningful activities
- Physical exercise
In addition, happiness can be increased through intentional lifestyle changes, such as improving sleep habits, practicing self-care, and engaging in hobbies or activities that bring joy and meaning to your life.
What's blocking your happiness?
But it’s not enough to just try and increase your level of happiness. You know that the answer to “can happiness be learned?” is a resounding “yes”, but a more beneficial thing to start with would be to unlearn everything that makes you unhappy.
To put it simply:
The first and most important thing to do is to remove any blocks to your happiness.
It may very well be the only thing you need to do to be happy.
As mentioned in the introduction, happiness is your natural state of being. Does that sound weird or unlikely?
Well, consider the following.
Can happiness be learned: There's no need, you are born happy
Can you think of a more perfect being than a newborn child? It knows nothing of the stress and worries of adulthood.
Even though a baby is the proverbial blank slate, it’s impossible not to notice the awe and wonder in its eyes. “What is this miracle called life?”, they must contemplate. For babies, every moment is full of excitement and opportunity!
More often than not, there’s a smile on his/her face. You can very easily tell, that the baby is happy.
Unless there’s something that makes the baby unhappy. Hunger, thirst, dirty diaper, etc.
Basically, If you take care of a baby’s needs, it will be happy. It requires very little and certainly does not need material wealth to feel happiness.
But how is it then, that adults feel this pressing need to get things in order to be happy?
Can happiness be learned: Yes, because you have learned to be unhappy
as we grow, our mind grows too. The blank slate we are as babies starts to fill up.
Our minds will take on anything and everything from our surroundings, forming beliefs and habits based on our perceptions.
What our parents, friends, media, commercials, teachers – the society as a whole – teach us, will become the truth in our minds.
The things that are taught as truths are unfortunately very non-beneficial for our happiness. As we grow, we learn that there are many things needed if we want to be happy: Good education is mandatory, and a high-paying job. A big house and a fancy car are also needed, they are after all things that all successful people have. And aren’t all successful people happy? Apparently, they are. Or so we are told.
These teachings become beliefs, and as adults, we operate based on those beliefs.
We chase material wealth incessantly and forget that as babies we never needed anything for happiness to begin with.
This disconnection from our innate happiness and constant chasing of material possessions (but never getting enough) causes stress, anxiety, sadness, depression, and feeling unworthy.
How can happiness be learned?
Learning to be happy will require a shift in the way you perceive your life and happiness. You must create a new belief, that you are already happy without needing anything outside of you (of course there are physical needs that must be fulfilled and money is needed to live our lives, so it’s not required to drop everything).
This new understanding can be achieved by a process I call the 3 steps to happiness. It’s how I ended my struggle with trying to be happy and beat stress, anxiety, and depression.
7 methods that will help you learn happiness
For uncovering your innate happiness, you can use the following techniques to deal with stress, anxiety, and other things that prevent you from being happy.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of talk therapy that has been shown to be highly effective in treating anxiety disorders. CBT focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety.
- Mindfulness Meditation: Mindfulness meditation involves paying attention to the present moment and accepting thoughts and feelings without judgment. Research has shown that mindfulness meditation can be an effective way to reduce anxiety.
- Exercise: Regular exercise has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress levels. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters.
- Breathing Exercises: Deep breathing exercises can help reduce anxiety by slowing down the heart rate and relaxing the body.
- Gratitude: Gratitude is a positive emotion that involves acknowledging and appreciating the good things in our lives. Practicing gratitude has been shown to promote happiness in several ways. Focusing on the good things in our lives can increase positive emotions such as joy, contentment, and satisfaction. Grateful people tend to experience more positive emotions and fewer negative emotions.
- Relaxation Techniques: Relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation, can help reduce anxiety by relaxing the muscles and promoting a sense of calm. For quick and easy relaxation, try tapping.
- Lifestyle Changes: Making lifestyle changes, such as getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding alcohol and too much caffeine, can also help reduce anxiety.
It’s important to note that we are all unique, and what works for one person may not work for another.
If you are struggling with chronic stress, anxiety, or depression, working with a mental health professional is important to find the best methods for you.
Conclusion
Can happiness be learned? Yes, it can!
While happiness may not always be easy to achieve, it is a skill that can be learned and cultivated through intentional effort and practice.
The best thing you can do to be happier, is to remove the things that are blocking you from being happy: relieve stress and anxiety, and work with a professional to cure depression.
Disclaimer
The entire contents of this blog are based upon the opinions of the author. It is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The information in this blog is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care professional before trying any of the products or methods based on this content. I cannot guarantee that you will be free of stress, anxiety or depression, or that you will be happy. I simply want to share with you what I have discovered during my twenty years of seeking happiness and what has worked for me may not work for you.
