Imagine a world where everyone is happy. No wars, no poverty, no violence. Sounds like a utopia, right? However, what does it mean to be happy? Happiness is a complex and subjective concept that can be understood in different ways. Some people may equate happiness with feeling pleasure or satisfaction, while others may view it as a state of happiness and contentment. Happiness is also influenced by a variety of factors, such as personality, genetics, environment, culture, and life events. It is not a fixed or permanent state, but a dynamic and fluctuating process involving both positive and negative emotions. Happiness is essential to humanity. It can enhance our health, creativity, and performance in various domains of life.

   Happiness makes people perform better. In “Why Does Happiness Matter?” Mark Williamson points out that “those who are prepared to feel happy are 11 percent more productive than their peers, and people who are happy when they are young earn more than their peers later in life” (Williamson). Distinguished Professor, University of California, Riverside, Sonja Lyubomirsky suggests that “happy people are more helpful, charitable, and confident, have better self-control, and exhibit greater self-regulation and coping skills” (Lyubomirsky). These findings show that happiness is not only a subjective feeling but also a measurable factor that can influence one’s behavior and performance in various domains. Those pieces of evidence obviously show that people who are happy are more productive. It can boost one’s motivation, creativity, and resilience, as well as foster positive relationships and cooperation with others. That means if people are happier than others, he or she will perform better than others as well. Therefore, happiness can boost one’s work, and if all of the people who are in society are happy, both of them can work efficiently, which can accelerate social development and progress, and that benefits society as a whole.

   In addition to happiness making people feel better and perform better, it can make people more creative. In “Is Happiness Actually Important?” Christine Carter points out that “happiness broadens our minds, making us more flexible, more able to see the big picture, and more creative” (Carter). Writing for The Atlantic, Tracy Brower argues “In a related study from the University of Otago, … [volunteer’s] positive feelings drove additional creative activities.” (Brower). These pieces of evidence indicate that happiness can enhance one’s cognitive abilities and stimulate one’s imagination and innovation. Happiness is not only a pleasant emotion but also a powerful catalyst that can unlock one’s potential and creativity. That means happiness can help one break free from rigid thinking patterns, generate novel ideas, explore new possibilities, and create value for oneself and others. Therefore, it is vital to cultivate happiness in oneself and others for the benefit of society as a whole.

   Take a look at the data to see that happiness can make people healthier. An article in The Guardian reports that “happier people have better overall health and live longer than less happy people. They were about half as likely to contract a cold virus and 50 percent less likely to experience a cardiovascular event like a heart attack or stroke”(Williamson). This evidence suggests that happiness can positively impact one’s physical health and longevity. Happiness can boost one’s immune system, lower one’s blood pressure, and reduce one’s risk of developing chronic diseases. In the PositivePsychology article, “6 Benefits of Happiness According to the research”, Elaine Mead mentions “The persistence of the human immune system when participants reported positive emotions by ingesting a pill that elicited an immune response … Those who rated themselves as the happiest had higher levels of antibodies” (Mead). The results suggest that feeling more positive can help support the immune system’s defense against foreign objects. That is because happiness can increase one’s production of antibodies, which are proteins that fight against foreign substances in the body, which means, happiness can also help one to recover faster from illnesses and injuries. Also in the PositivePsychology article, “6 Benefits of Happiness According to the Research”, Mead mentions that from a quantitative review of 70 observational studies, the researcher explored the relationship between positive mood and longevity. Over time, those in a better mood “had an 18 percent lower risk of death,” while those with pre-existing conditions “had a 2 percent reduction” (PositivePsychology). This evidence indicates that happiness can extend one’s life span and reduce one’s mortality rate. Generally speaking, these pieces of evidence reveal that happiness can improve one’s immune response, lower one’s mortality risk, and increase one’s life expectancy. Happiness can strengthen one’s physical health and resilience in various ways, such as by reducing stress, enhancing cardiovascular function, and promoting healthy habits. Happiness can also improve one’s quality of life and well-being, especially for those who face health challenges. Thus, happiness can make people healthier by boosting their immune system, lowering their mortality rate, and extending their life span.

   In conclusion, happiness is significant because it can make people healthier, more creative, and perform better. Happiness is a universal human desire and a fundamental value. Happiness affects every aspect of human lives, from health and relationships to work and achievements. Happiness can also have a positive impact on society and the world by promoting peace, harmony, and well-being. Understanding what happiness is and how to achieve it can help people improve their quality of life and contribute to the common good. Happiness is not only a personal goal, but also a social responsibility. By pursuing and cultivating happiness, people can enhance their happiness and contribute to the happiness of others. Happiness is not a destination, but a journey humans can all embark on and enjoy. There may come a time in the future when everyone in society will be able to smile and be happy every day.   Work Cited

Brower, Tracy. “How To Be More Creative And Boost Happiness: 6 Ways To Get Inspired.” Forbes, July 25, 2021, https://www.forbes.com/sites/tracybrower/2021/07/25/how-to-be-more-creative-and-boost-happiness-6-ways-to-get-inspired/?sh=4b07b55a7d70

Carter, Christine. “Is Happiness Actually Important?” The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, Nov 19, 2009, https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/is_happiness_actually_important

Lyubomirsky, Sonja. “Studying Human Happiness.” https://sonjalyubomirsky.com/ , Accessed on June 8, 2023.

Mead, Elaine. “6 Benefits of Happiness According to the Research.” PositivePsychology.com, Jun5, 2019, https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-happiness/

Williamson, Mark. “Why does happiness matter?” The Guardian, Nov 03, 2014, https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/nov/03/why-does-happiness-matter