The happiness formula It is something that has always been sought and probably future generations will continue to do so. But does this formula exist? All the philosophers and thinkers who have passed through the process of defining what makes us happy They have agreed that it is something subjective and that it depends on each person. In happiness there are no rules but there are some points that coincide.

Aristotle, for example, asserted that more than a specific state, happiness is a lifestyle.. Of course, the philosopher insisted that the main characteristic of this lifestyle is constantly exercise the best that each human being has. Happiness is an instant, but it must be cultivated every day so that it does not perish.

A moment of pleasure can give us the desired feeling of happiness, but it is also necessary have purposesobjectives to achieve that cause achieving them to reward us with this moment of well-being that we can call happiness. And they do not have to be complicated and unattainable vital goals. The value of life is often found in simplicity and small things.

Furthermore, it has been seen that there are happiness enhancers that are capable of increasing the immediate feeling of pleasure or focus your sense of the meaning of life and they are very simple things to do.

Courses to learn to be happy?

For some time now, the happiness courses to learn how to develop those «enhancers» of well-being. In the University of Bristol one of these first programs was carried out. The main author of the course, psychology professor Bruce Hood and author of the book «The Science of Happiness» is based on neuroscience to show that achieve our well-being It involves breaking negative thinking patterns and reconnecting with the things that really matter, but this is not a job for a day or two, it is a continuous task.

Professor Hood assures that seeking happiness «is like going to the gym: we cannot expect to do just one class and expect to be in shape forever. Just as with physical health, we must continually work on our mental health, otherwise the improvements are temporary,» he says.

Students who attended Professor Hood’s course in Bristol later assessed their level of well-being and it had increased by between 10% and 15%. However, only those who continued to implement the learning from the course into their daily routines maintained that level of well-being two years later, when they were asked again about their well-being at that time.

How to make good things happen to you

Precisely «How to make good things happen to you» is the title of a book by the prestigious psychiatrist Marian Rojas in which she offers a series of practical tips to know our mind and body better to be happy. Even so, she herself warns that «there are no quick guides or shortcuts that ensure happiness, although we can achieve a better version of ourselves to achieve it.»

Rojas assures that you can learn to be happythat you can go through complicated situations in life but the important thing is to learn to get out and find another new motivation, no matter how small. «Having illusions inspires the mindimproves the brain and activates very powerful internal mechanisms that bring you closer to the best version of yourself,» explains Marian Rojas.

The 5 tips to learn to be happier

Research continues to be done on the extent to which there are behaviors or actions that we can do that are scientifically proven to activate the pleasure areas of our brain. It has been shown that regularly practicing certain habits, what we called happiness enhancers, helps us feel better:

1. Talk to strangers. Doing so helps the brain, it is proven. It’s not about talking to everyone who passes us on the street, but those conversations in the elevator, at the office coffee machine or with the person who sells you bread or the cashier at the supermarket have proven to be positive for the brain. They are called «weak ties» and it seems that since they are banal conversations, they relax our minds by unloading us from judgments or prejudices that people who already know us may have.
2. Optimism increases life expectancy. Scientific studies conclude that optimistic people not only live longer, but they do so with a better quality of life. Optimists eat better, sleep better and suffer less stress and this results in better mental health.
3. Cultivate social relationships. Loneliness impacts our physical health (affects the defense system) and mental health. Isolation is the prelude to depression and many stress and anxiety problems since talking to others can help us manage our emotions.
4. Walk through nature. Walking through the countryside, the forest, the beach or a park deactivates a part of the brain related to negative thoughts. This is related to greater mental well-being since it reduces anxiety and improves decision-making and, therefore, emotional management when faced with a problem.
5. Be kind: happiness hormones increase. A recent scientific study confirms that when we are kind and kind to others, we gain happiness and health since the rewarding effect of doing something for other people activates the serotonin and dopaminethe well-known hormones of happiness.