Roman Stoic philosopher and playwright named Lucius Annaeus Seneca once said that one can attain happiness by acting in accordance with one’s true nature and being contented in life.

It may be easy to understand but hard to follow. For years now, researchers have looked for answers in the optimum way in attaining happiness. Psychology Today asked four top happiness researchers to discuss the attributes of happiness and how one can achieve it.
John Reich, Ph.D., Arizona State University:

I believe that happiness is being aware not only of the positive events that occur in your life but also that you yourself are the cause of these events–that you can create them, that you control their occurrence, and that you play a major role in the good things that
happen to you.

As far as the best ways to get there, I would say that attempting to cause as many positive events as you feel capable of–and being successful at most of them–is the quickest and most effective way to achieve happiness.

Ed Diener, Ph.D., University of Illinois:

It has also been hypothesized that a person’s level of happiness is determined by comparisons he or she makes with standards. These standards may be based on social comparisons, on the particular person’s aspiration level, on the person’s past, or on his or her ideals. If people exceed these standards, they will be satisfied; but if they fall short of these standards, they will experience unhappiness.

David G. Meyers, Ph.D., Author:

Act happy. Talk and act as if you have the traits and attitudes of a happy person, and you may gain them. Going through the motions can trigger the emotions. Seek work and leisure that engage your skills. Happy people are often absorbed in tasks they find challenging but not overwhelming.

Exercise. An avalanche of recent studies reveals that aerobic exercise is a powerful antidote for depression and anxiety.

Give priority to close relationships. The mutual support and self-disclosure in committed relationships are another antidote to misery. If you are married, resolve to nurture your relationship, to not take your partner for granted, to display to your spouse the sort of kindness that you display to others, to play and share together.

Take care of the soul. Actively religious people tend to report more happiness and to cope better with crises. Faith provides a support community, a sense of life’s meaning, a reason to focus beyond self, and a timeless perspective on life’s temporary ups and downs.

Alex C. Michalos, Ph.D., University of Guelph, Ontario:

I define happiness as a relatively long-lasting, positive feeling and attitude. From my research, the best way to get there is to have a portfolio of desires and interests–some short-range goals and some long-range goals. The short ones so that you can get small pleasures on a fairly routine basis with relatively low cost, and the longer ones so that you have something to look forward to and to go after in life.

Short-run pleasures, for instance, might include music. In my case, I like Motown music, and I have some records and tapes around that I like to listen to. For longer-term pleasure, I’m a feminist, so I work in little ways for the achievement of equal opportunity for women.

It’s very important to keep this portfolio going, not to let these interests die out in light of other aspects of your life, such as work They must also be realistic–an interest in music is one thing; dreaming of becoming a rock star will not likely land you to happiness unless you’re one in a million. When people get a good assessment of what is possible and want those things that are ultimately achievable–and then begin to close the gap between the two–they find ultimate happiness.

Source: Psychology Today