I have written before about the importance of happiness. But did you know that academics are trying to define a formula for happiness? Well, researchers at University College London (UCL) are doing just that. What’s more, they now have the formula. As far back as 2014, the team have been working on this and have tested more 18,000 volunteers.
The formula of happiness is H = S + C + V
Where H is your Happiness, S is your Cellular Set Point, C stands for your Conditions of Living, and V stands for Voluntary Actions or Choices you make daily.
But it’s not as simple as S plus C plus V. Each of the parts of the equation are weighted. The research showed that 50% of your happiness comes from your Cellular Set Point. While Conditions of Living makes up just 10% of your happiness. Finally, the other 40% is the Voluntary Actions or Choices you have. So, what are these things?
S = Cellular Set Point (50%)
Essentially, this is how happy you normally are. Some people have a higher set point so their average day will feel happier to them than others will. These people are generally more positive. Perhaps asked how they are, they would say ‘Good’. Rather than just ‘OK’.
Can you increase your cellular set point? Yes. Any activity that replicates the feelings of happiness will increase your cellular set point. Time spent experiencing the feelings of happiness, such as through visualisation, mindfulness, meditation or contemplation will help you increase it.
C = Conditions Of Living (10%)
This is conditions in the broadest terms. A better word might be circumstances. It includes your environment, but also material things. The bad news is no matter how much you change your conditions of living it will have little impact. So, buying material things will never have a huge impact on your happiness because it is only 10% of your happiness.
Why, well the happiness that comes from new things, such as shopping is actually temporary. You quickly get used to having them. Research has shown that the happiness you get from shopping can last just one to three days.
This is something of a revelation to me. How much time do you spend increasing your conditions of living? Do you spend the majority of your time making money so you can buy the latest thing or do the next thing to change your condition of living?
If you realise how little effect it has on your happiness, you may rethink some of your goals. As Thomas Merton (American Writer and theologian) said, “When ambition ends, happiness begins”.
V = Voluntary Actions or Choices (40%)
How do you respond to a situation or issue? Do you feel in control, empowered and able to see the meaning and connection between issues and yourself? Or do you tend to feel fatalistic, feel there is no way to control a situation and can’t see the effect you may be able to bring about?
If you give a positive meaning and purpose to the things that have happened, are happening, or will happen, you influence the formula of happiness in your favour.
When you can find purpose, you make meaningful choices. If you make meaningful choices, you will take meaningful action. When you take meaningful action, you achieve your intended results. Achieving your intended results is success and this will make you happy and fulfilled.
In Conclusion
In an attempt to be happier, many people focus on changing the wrong things. Fame and fortune cannot buy you happiness. Buying nice things only makes you happy for a short time before you need to buy the next thing.
Your happiness is adjustable; it is not set in stone. By working on the right things, you can make yourself happier. Your actions and choices are important as they are the part of the equation you can change the most. This is very empowering. Your actions and choices affect your happiness far more than your genetics or your life circumstances.
Add a Comment