As we in America and many other countries move towards complete reopening and getting closer to herd immunity there is an elephant in the room. The elephant is the happiness we are feeling as we are starting to get some normal things back. Things we used to take for granted like hugs or interactions with strangers, travel and exploring the world have all but been removed from our lives now for over a year. The question is though, how do we keep this happiness?
The answer is tricky due to a phenomena known as hedonic adaptation. Hedonic adaptation is basically a side effect of how adaptable humans are; only it affects our happiness. It is defined as the process of a human returning to their baseline of happiness regardless of changes in their life. This is why people are still depressed or unsatisfied even after winning the lottery, it is also why someone can remain happy even after horrible events in their life. Whatever our baseline is, is what we return to no matter how many good or bad things happen to us. This means that just as we didn't see anything special about travel or seeing friends pre-pandemic, soon we will return to this state as well. As the novelty fades, so does the new happiness that came with it.
This is at once depressing and inspiring. In one way, no one can take your true happiness away, but how can you grow your happiness? The question of happiness is something that has plagued social scientists, and likely will continue to do so for years and years to come. We cannot hope to solve hedonic adaptation or human happiness in a brief internet article, but we can give tips and insights on how to improve your baseline happiness. What ultimately matters is the happiness you feel in yourself, not what things give you happiness. Below are four tips to help keep the post pandemic euphoria and build your baseline happiness.
1- What is your baseline?
This is going to be different for all of us, some of us are just happier people. Some of us might also have chemical imbalances, trauma and other issues to work through. Regardless of our personal journeys, we all need to know and acknowledge our baseline.
2- Work for your happiness
Just because a new car or promotion won't give you permanent happiness doesn't mean everything in life is this way. Making positive changes in your life, improving your diet and exercise, working on personal relationships can make lasting positive changes and build your baseline.
3- Ditch bad habits, build new ones
This means that it is time to ditch the bad habits and start actively working on improving your happiness. Don't settle for the path of least resistance or indulgent behavior. Work on yourself now to keep the momentum going.
4- Practice gratitude
Be grateful everyday. Start a gratitude journal, or simply count your blessings. Know that you are blessed to be in this life now. Remember how horrible it felt to have everything you know stripped away from you? Remember what it felt like to not be able to hug loved ones or do things that normally gave you joy? Don't take these things for granted, be thankful every day.
We definitely do not have all the answers for happiness, and likely we never will despite scientists working to learn about it. But we do know that true happiness comes from within not from what we own but what we have inside of ourselves. The pandemic showed us just how strong and resilient we are, but also can show us how to build deeper happiness and fulfillment within, if we let it. Reach out to us at info@bullionite.com with your comments and questions.