How to distinguish happiness from wellbeing and not fall into the trap of maximalism?

14 sierpnia 2024

Does the model of happiness based on achieving subsequent goals and overcoming barriers, which is presented in our culture and mass media, promote our sense of wellbeing? Experts Dr. Joanna Wojsiat and psychologist Marta Niedźwiecka explain how the biological basis of happiness and the cultural traps of maximalism affect our everyday lives and explain why lasting wellbeing is more beneficial than a short-term feeling of joy.

In positive psychology, the pursuit of happiness is defined as one of the main goals set by most people. When looking for ways to achieve it, we often take actions that bring the opposite effect than intended, causing frustration and putting us in a bad mood. Stereotypically, giving 100% and crossing new boundaries is considered the key to success and fulfilment in both professional and private life. As experts emphasise, over time such a lifestyle may have an impact on mental and physical health. Research shows that the pressure of success imposed by culture most often leads to burnout.[1] Today, the topic of the cult of busyness, or in other words maximalism, is increasingly being discussed in public space. This is evidenced by the great interest in Taco Hemingway’s short film, in which the artist draws attention to the trap of motivational messages that require constant optimisation of our actions and relentless striving for success. However, if this is not the path to happiness, how can we ensure a satisfying life?

The trap of maximalism

We chase the promised model of happiness, setting new goals and demanding more and more from ourselves. However, according to mental health specialists, it is a dead end. In the podcast called “Odgruzować Dobrostan” (Decluttering wellbeing) produced by the MultiLife brand, psychologist Marta Niedźwiecka draws attention to how this established pattern guides our lives.

– We have a culturally agreed model of happiness which we grow in, and which is told in many media: TV series, films, music, fashion magazines. However, in our culture it is quite narrow: it is based on the gratification of making money, being a famous and successful person, having a specific type of appearance and lifestyle. We invest in these things because culture tells us that following them leads to complete happiness – comments the psychologist.

In the podcast, neuroscientist Dr. Joanna Wojsiat notes that such a vision of happiness is unattainable and generating prosperity does not equal achieving wellbeing. Falling into maximalism is particularly dangerous in a professional environment, where people motivated by the desire to expand their possessions, get promoted, or achieve new goals tend to exceed the safe limits of their body. In the pursuit of happiness, instead of achieving lasting satisfaction, we fall into a trap that leads to stress and burnout. This is confirmed by “The Wellbeing of Poles” report prepared by infuture.institute on behalf of Benefit Systems, indicating that this is not a model of behaviour that brings high wellbeing in life. When asked about the elements necessary to experience a high level of wellbeing, 66% of respondents indicated the ability to limit themselves to the necessary goods while the remaining 34% mentioned hedonistic pursuit of pleasures.

The biology of happiness: can we always feel joy?

In understanding the elusiveness of the happiness promised by a maximalist approach to life, it is important to look at this concept from a purely scientific perspective. Happiness has its biological basis in the serotonin and dopamine metabolism of our brain. It is a momentary, short-lived feeling that motivates us to act, but it is impossible to maintain it permanently.

– Most of us associate the feeling of happiness with a biochemical soup, an explosion of endorphins and serotonin, a sense of both peace and euphoria. It is not always related to dopamine causing the desire to do more. From the perspective of biology, happiness appears as something short-lived, taking place here and now – explains Dr. Joanna Wojsiat. Marta Niedźwiecka notes that an excess of strong stimuli leads to deregulation and the desire for more and more, so the body needs a break from them to maintain a state of balance. Understanding these basics can help us be realistic about our expectations for happiness.

Wellbeing: a way to comfort, peace and health

Where momentary bursts of joy end, feeling good depends on another concept, that of wellbeing. Dr. Wojsiat describes it as a state when a person constantly returns to their psychophysical and neurochemical balance. Unlike a momentary feeling of happiness, it is lasting, extended over time and considers a wide range of aspects of life that affect our wellbeing. The concept covers three basic and most important areas that require our attention: physical health, such as regular physical activity, healthy eating and adequate sleep.

Apart from these, there are other areas that significantly influence the feeling of wellbeing: mental health, inner peace, comfort of life, relationships with others and contact with nature. Together they form a system of communicating vessels and influence each other. The failure of one of them may disturb the entire sense of wellbeing. Maintaining a balance between them leads to greater life satisfaction and better overall health.

A sensible recipe for life satisfaction

Achieving wellbeing requires sustainable actions to take care of its individual areas. For example, financial independence, appropriate housing conditions and a sense of balance and security will be responsible for the comfort of life. Relationships with others will consist of satisfying social contacts and a sense of belonging. In turn, contact with nature will require both ensuring the positive impact of nature on wellbeing and eliminating the impact of dynamic technological changes, eco-anxiety and the feeling of helplessness in the face of climate change.

However, it should be remembered that not every area will be equally important for each person. This results from individual preferences and the situation which we are currently in. Therefore, while taking care of our wellbeing, it is crucial to recognise our own needs in individual areas of wellbeing. This approach will allow us to focus on those issues that require more attention at a given moment and are most important for our wellbeing. In determining them, the Wellbeing Score survey, developed by infuture.institute in cooperation with Benefit Systems, will be extremely helpful. It can be used on an individual basis free of charge at https://zbadaj-dobrostan.multilife.com.pl. After completing the survey, each person will learn about their level of wellbeing in each area and will also receive a set of helpful recommendations developed by experts. .

Listen to the series of podcasts with experts called “Decluttering wellbeing” to find out more about happiness and wellbeing: https://www.multilife.com.pl/odgruzowac-dobrostan

[1] “Multidimensional perfectionism and burnout: A meta-analysis”, Andrew P Hill, Thomas Curran, sierpień 2018

Benefit Systems has been operating on the Polish market for over two decades and is one of the leaders in providing non-financial benefits that support employee well-being. The company is the creator of the MultiSport Programme, which enables physical activity in sports facilities throughout the country. Its portfolio also includes the MyBenefit cafeteria platform and the MultiLife wellbeing programme. For several years now, the company’s sports offer has been developed on foreign markets, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Croatia. The Benefit Systems Group operates over 240 fitness clubs on four markets (in Poland it is responsible for the Active Fitness Club, Fabryka Formy, FitFabric, Fitness Academy, Good Luck, Max-Gym, My Fitness Place, Saturn Fitness, StepONE, Total Fitness and Zdrofit networks). An important area of Benefit Systems activities is the promotion of an active lifestyle at every stage of life, which is why the company implements initiatives supporting physical activity of children, adults, and seniors, also as part of the MultiSport Foundation. Since 2018, Benefit Systems has been part of the global B Corp initiative, bringing together companies operating and engaging in solving the most important social problems. More information can be found at benefitsystems.pl/en.

Agnieszka Bemowska-Niewiarowska

Senior PR Specialist Benefit Systems

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