Our Happiness “Set-Point”
Posted on January 25, 2016 by Paula Facci, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.
How our genes impact our happiness and well-being
Have you ever wondered why some people just seem to be naturally happier (or unhappier) than others?
Turns out that science seems to have answered this question. Each individual is thought to have something called a “happiness set-point”.
The set-point theory of happiness states that an individual’s level of subjective well-being or happiness is hereditary. It is influenced by our genetics as well as personality traits instilled in us in our formative years. As a result, our “happiness set-point” remains relatively constant throughout our lives.
Our “happiness set-point” can be impacted by life circumstances. At stages either being increased to a state of more happiness or decreased to a state of more unhappiness. But over time, it is shown to almost always return to baseline level.
Research has shown that it is indeed possible for our set-point to be reprogrammed.
On the downside, the death of a child, disability or loss of a life partner in one’s elderly years, have been shown to permanently adjust one’s set-point down. Basically meaning that one would tend to be constantly more unhappy than before these events took place.
On the upside, there is also a growing body of research indicating that certain activities are shown to upgrade your “happiness set-point”. To make you continuously and sustainably happier than your genetically programmed baseline happiness state.
Pro-social behavior such as altruism and compassion has been linked to higher levels of sustained levels of well-being and happiness over time. So also has practicing gratitude.
I like to refer to these pro-social behaviours as “The Virtues of Well-being”.
Curious to find out more? Let’s embrace and live the science of happiness together.
Contact me to book a courtesy session.
Warmest Regards
Paula Facci
www.thrivefactorcoach.com
