There is a happiness equation that says ‘purchasing power’ means a happy hour.
In our mundane lives, diet, nutrition, exercise, and sleep – the four foundations of a bygone paradigm – are being pushed to the background of happiness. Although people with complexity and emotions must sustain this model, it is proven to minimise depression like a debt repaid but not enhance the experience of happiness itself. Riddled in the dilemma that the more we achieve, the more we feel satisfied, presents itself as a Sisyphus task. ‘If I push this boulder uphill, I’ll be victorious’ or ‘If I get this paycheck, I’ll be happy.’
Happiness, being an umbrella term, can be dissected to explore the influences of money. The ‘fulcrum trifecta’ of the psyche is an indulgence, satisfaction, and purpose — indulging in content via streaming service or the satisfying notification that confirms payment. Perhaps subscribing to a music platform in anticipation of the next release gives a greater sense of purpose than commuting to work. Spending that additional buck has become intrinsic, with no funnel to surpass but a straight plunge. These are the day-to-day habits of a Sisyphus mind where a person finds purpose in material things.
Economists David Blanchflower and Andrew Oswald conducted research in over 72 countries with over 500,000 individuals. Published as ‘Is Well-Being U-Shaped over the Life Cycle?’, the findings suggested that happiness follows a U-shaped curve throughout life. Declining gradually through the early 20s and 30s till reaching a low point around the 40s but increasing from 50s and beyond.
The research was observed to be consistent across all cultures and countries. This universal feature emerged as a regional phenomenon, raising questions about the implications of age correlating to happiness. The slight diminution from the early 20s and onwards can suggest that wave-to-wave behaviour exists as a sign of the times. The inherent quality of nature going back to its equilibrium is the same as that applied to emotions. Whereas being in adversity equals staying in adversity, spending more to have more happiness has been adept. The average person spends 30-50% thinking about the future. We live in the most documented era of times, and why? The fear of impermanence — missing out on a life never lived. The answer to this affliction is to materialise memories, ideas, dreams, and, most effectively, happiness.
The buzzword for recovery has become resilience. Although it breathes life into the idea of withstanding adversity, another engaging concept arises as anti-fragility. Anti-fragility conveys an idea as an alternative to withstanding adversity — the notion of gaining from it. When we exert ourselves physically, our muscles are put under stress, and after a while, they recover. Meanwhile, gym-goers who are consistent in physical exertion notice a change in their physique. Active exercises not only recover the body but also improve muscle growth. An antithesis of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) presents itself as PTG (Post Traumatic Growth). The mind experiences stress, and despite faltering, it recovers and prospers.
Happiness in itself and as a medium to achieve goals is ideal as opposed to happiness becoming an end goal, which in turn leads to depression. An explanation as to why the coming generations are likely to experience depression could be that they pursue happiness directly, as in they view it as a destination and not a journey. The paradox is that although happiness is good, putting it on a pedestal can be detrimental. The way to resolve this paradox is an indirect pursuit of happiness. Consider the warmth of a fire; it keeps you from the darkness and cold, but if one touches its flame, a sharp pain and a lasting wound are imminent. A model of such has been created to experience the lucky heat, the crackling of the flame, and the dim lights emitting from a fire.
Happiness can be broken down into five aspects of the SPIRE model — spirituality, physicality, intellectual, relational, and emotional. The SPIRE model triggers the anti-fragility that functions in our mind. Spirituality is the choice bigger than oneself that gives meaning to life. Finding purpose and faith in something beyond self is essential to the human spirit, whether at work or home. Self-help books have become popular among Gen Z as they explore spirituality by their means. Physical well-being has a profound impact but grapples with stress. A study by Glassdoor explores that employees— Millennials in particular — do not take up their full allotment for vacations. Twenty-four per cent of Millennials in the US forfeit days compared to Generation X, who forfeit 19%, and Boomers, who forfeit 17%. Unused vacation time can reduce productivity and innovation and draw spending away from tourism, a vital economic growth factor.
For longevity, one must stay curious; according to AGEIST, a publication covering generations above the age of 40, quoted, ‘People having the most fun seem to be the ones that are most curious.’ Intellectual well-being is achievable via asking questions; furthermore, alongside asking questions, people who deeply engage with material, such as reading books, appreciating nature, or even a work of art, can nourish themselves with intellectual enrichment. The quality of our relationships can also be measured as the number one predictor of longevity. A book by Dr. Gary Chapman introduces the concept of ‘The 5 LOVE Languages’, a popular trend among Gen Z to understand better the type of love they convey and appreciate. It includes words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, receiving gifts, and physical touch that are pillars of their relationship approach. The final definition of the SPIRE acronym is — emotional. Emotional well-being encourages embracing painful experiences and allowing them to express themselves, but the question remains — how do we cultivate positive feelings? Thus, the prominent trend of gratitude journals has cemented in the younger generation. Gratitude journals have systemised the practice of positive emotions by materialising them. Cicero’s philosophy states, ‘Gratitude is the mother of all virtues.’ The youth caught on to the immediate euphoria one feels when grateful for the present. When the good is appreciated, we tend to observe more of it. It created the perception beyond pleasure that happiness, in itself, is a whole being. Happiness is like a river, flowing along a spectrum where we can navigate both turbulent and calm waters. Even when life doesn’t unfold as we hoped, we can find joy in the currents that carry us forward.
Author: Nawshin Nawar
