Happiness

Q1.Why does buying new things make people happy?

Ans:First of all, getting something we haven't seen or used before is exciting because it's like looking forward to a fun surprise when you have that feeling of excitement. And this anticipation of using or experiencing something new is what makes us happy. Another reason is that having new possessions can boost a person's social status or self-esteem. For example, if someone buys the newest iPhone model, they might feel a sense of accomplishment and higher self-esteem; and when they use it in front of others, it can also make them look successful and up-to-date, which can improve their social status and how others see them. But from a scientific perspective, it's all about our brains. When we get something new, our brain releases a chemical called dopamine. This surge in dopamine is what makes us feel happy and satisfied right away when we buy new things.

Q2.Why do some people hide their happy feelings?

Ans:In my opinion, that's because some people believe that happiness loves silence 'cause they are afraid that their good fortune can provoke someone to give them the Evil Eye and ruin their happiness. Plus, some people realize (and this has been scientifically proven) that others experience emotions other than pure joy when these people find themselves on the receiving end of someone else's success, especially if these people are having a hard time. I mean sharing happiness will make others feel annoyed and envious. Another reason why some people prefer to keep their happy feelings to themselves is that they think that sharing happiness will be perceived as bragging and therefore will evoke negative emotions in those who people share this information with.Sometimes it's just because in some cultures, it's not appropriate to express happiness.

Q3.How do people express happiness in your culture?

Ans:I don't think that in our society there's any relationship between culture and ways to express happiness. In my opinion, it's the upbringing that matters. In some families, it's not acceptable to openly express happiness (and not only happiness, but all the extreme emotions). Some people express happiness directly through language, for example, by saying they're in a good mood. But it seems to me the most common way to express happiness is to smile.

Q4.Do you think happiness has any effect on people?

Ans:Of course it does. Happiness is an important factor in our overall well-being. It's what every human being ultimately wants in life. Being happy is not just about feeling good. It also makes us healthier. When people get stressed, their level of cortisol, the primary stress hormone, goes up. In high amounts, it causes health problems. When people feel happy, levels of cortisol go down, which reduces the risks of health problems caused by stress. This means that happier people have better overall health and therefore live longer than their less happy peers. In addition, happiness is linked to better decision-making, improved creativity and productivity. Also, happy people are more likely to have a positive perspective on things and less likely to get pulled into minor disagreements, envy or hurt other people. So, I'm sure that happiness influences us and the way we live.

Q5.Is it good to be unhappy?

Ans:Well, I can't say it's good but I'm sure that it isn't that bad, at least, if this state is temporary 'cause being sad or unhappy from time to time serves some kind of purpose in helping our species to survive. Sadness has some important adaptive functions, and, as a result, can confer important advantages. For example, it always operates like a mild alarm signal, triggering more effort and motivation to deal with a challenge, which is very important for our development and growth. Also, it can strengthen our character, especially if we recognize our emotion for what it is. And one more benefit of feeling unhappy I can think of is that it can enhance empathy, compassion and connectedness because it reduces common judgmental biases and fosters real interest in others.

Q6.What kinds of things make people in your country happy?

Ans:Oh, it depends on people, their needs and wants, their perception of the world in general and happiness in particular. Some people in my country feel happy hearing birds chirping early in the morning, taking care of pets or spending time with family and friends. These people are thankful for small mercies and enjoy every day of their lives. Others take pleasure in dancing, singing, getting new experiences, travelling, doing things that they love to do and helping other people, especially the ones in need. These people live an active life and can't feel happy without moving. There are also people who feel happy only after buying something they dream or dreamt about or just doing window-shopping as well as those who take pleasure in pampering themselves and meditating. So many men, so many minds.

Q7.Do you think money can make people happy?

Ans:Well, I wouldn't say money can make people happy, I would say it can dramatically increase the opportunities for people to be happy. For example, money lets people stop worrying enough to enjoy life. I mean it lets people get more life experiences such as learning to ride a horse or diving in some Mexican caves. It also lets people take care of their health, for example, go to the gym or swimming-pool, have a massage daily or get necessary treatment if needed. Money opens the world letting people travel to different continents and gives people a chance to make beloved ones happier satisfying their needs. By and large money can be spent on things that actually translate into happiness so yes, it can make people happy, to my mind.

Q8.Do you think failures help people feel happiness?

Ans:Well, it all depends on how people approach setbacks. In most cases, failure makes people feel depressed and frustrated. All they do is beat themselves up, thinking about the things that went wrong, which, obviously, doesn't make them feel happy. Also, some people conclude that they aren't good enough to achieve something big in life and, as a result, they give up on a dream, stay inside their comfort zone and therefore never achieve things that would make them genuinely happy. However, in some cases, failure can lead to happiness. I mean those cases when people rise above obstacles and continue pursuing their goals. Usually if people manage to overcome failure and achieve success, they realise that they are tougher than they think and they can handle more than they imagine. On very rare occasions, failure helps people understand that they should stop pushing themselves to their limits and that should start enjoying what they have. They stop creating unrealistic expectations for themselves, which makes them less stressed and more happy.

Q9.Is it important to have goals in life in order to feel happy?

Q10.Do you think people will be happy if they don't have goals to achieve?

Ans:Well, I'm in two minds about it. On the one hand, goals give you a sense of mission and help you move closer to your ideal life and therefore you've got the reason to wake up every morning. Also, whenever you set goals and accomplish them, levels of dopamine, happiness hormone, tend to increase. So it's true that you do feel happier when you work on your goals. On the other hand, it's probably much more important to love and accept yourself, to be healthy, and have enough money to take care of yourself and those you love. As far as money is concerned, you don't have to be a billionaire to be happy, but a certain amount of money does help you to have a more positive outlook on life in general.When you have money, you don't have to worry about not being able to meet your mortgage payments or losing your home, not having money to repair your car and not feeling desperate when a small financial crisis hits. One more thing that is really important is to have healthy relationships in life whether it is with friends or in a romantic partnership. It's really important to have people in your life who care about you and who you care about, people with whom you can laugh, cry, hug, touch, kiss, and spend quality time.

Q11.How would you define happiness?

Ans:Well, I guess some people say so because happiness is based on conditions, I mean some external circumstances which often change. Let's say the weather is perfect and I feel happy, it changes for the worse and I am not that happy anymore. Another reason why people think so is the fact that we get used to feeling happy and don't feel as excited as before because the thing or things which made us happy become standard and don't trigger positive emotions any longer, pushing us to strive for new heights. In summary, happiness is connected with some transitory things or moments which stop making us happy either when the moment has passed or when we got used to feeling happy.

Q12.Why do some people say happiness never lasts long?

Ans:Oh, when I am unhappy I, first, cry for some time, feeling sorry for myself, then take a bath to relax and sleep a lot. When I wake up, I start doing my best to change the underlying negative emotions and move on. I either meet my friends and have fun with them making a genuine effort to cultivate positive emotions and happiness or spend time in the park or garden reading something funny just to relax and change the focus of my attention. I also like doing shopping or watching a comedy to help unwind myself. I also enjoy working out in the gym to shake off stress and negative emotions.

Q13.Are people in your country happier now than they were 30 years ago?

Ans:Well, I think it differs among people living in my country. Some people are undoubtedly happier now than three decades ago 'cause they have higher levels of well-being, more technologies aiding them and more opportunities in all areas of life. They are offered a great variety of entertainment and sport and can afford more than in the past. But there are also people who are less happy these days, because they have longer working hours and less time for themselves. What is more, social contacts have worsened. All these things make people more stressed and, as a result, less happy.

Q14.Why are some people more positive than others?

Ans:Well, I'm sure that how we think about or interpret what happens to us plays a big role in how we feel about the situation. Some people see the world in a more positive way because they focus on good things that come to their lives, however small they are. Such people feel grateful for whatever they have. For example, they could be grateful for a delicious dinner they had, for having good friends, or for the fact that the sun is shining and they can spend time outside. And even when they encounter difficulties, they remain positive and don't get upset 'cause they see challenges and problems as opportunities to learn, improve and grow. Another possible reason why some people have a positive mindset is that they surround themselves with positive people and get rid of toxic friends and relationships. They just eliminate negativity in their lives before it consumes them.

Q15.Do you agree that real happiness comes from making other people happy?

Ans:Well, I do agree with that as making other people happy enhances an individual's overall sense of purpose and identity and makes their life 'meaningful', which in many cases equals 'happy'. Though, I believe that it's only possible when love and passion are the foundation, and when this wish to make others happy comes out of abundance, generosity and concern because, to my mind, only in this case it doesn't make people feel depleted and taken advantage of. We can feel happy for making other people happy only if our own interests are also kept in sight. I really doubt that it may be the same if we sacrifice our own comfort for the sake of others.

Q16.What do you do when you feel unhappy?

Ans:Oh, when I am unhappy I, first, cry for some time, feeling sorry for myself, then take a bath to relax and sleep a lot. When I wake up, I start doing my best to change the underlying negative emotions and move on. I either meet my friends and have fun with them making a genuine effort to cultivate positive emotions and happiness or spend time in the park or garden reading something funny just to relax and change the focus of my attention. I also like doing shopping or watching a comedy to help unwind myself. I also enjoy working out in the gym to shake off stress and negative emotions.