3 basic elements of happiness

Arthur C. Brooks, in his "Managing Happiness" lecture at Harvard University, emphasizes the importance of the three main elements of happiness: enjoyment, sense of satisfaction and sense of purpose.

Social scientist Arthur C. Brooks, who teaches "Managing Happiness" at Harvard University, draws attention to three important points in his academic studies in which he investigates the keys to happiness. Brooks discovered various elements of happiness, according to information shared on the CNBC Make It series.

Brooks, who wrote a book with Oprah Winfrey, emphasizes that achieving happiness is a journey and the importance of constantly striving for a happier state on this journey. Brooks defines happiness not as a goal, but as a process that must be constantly increased.

In a podcast published on CNBC, Brooks states that understanding happiness is not just about saying "Go be happier" and draws attention to the basic elements of happiness. According to Brooks, happy people enjoy their lives, take satisfaction in what they do, and have a sense of meaning as to why they are alive. These three elements are described as the protein, carbohydrate and fat of happiness.

The three main nutrients of happiness are:
1. Enjoyment

2. Feeling of satisfaction

3. Purpose

Brooks emphasizes that pleasure is not a simple pleasure satisfaction, and that constantly pursuing satisfying experiences is a bad way of life. He states that enjoyment becomes more meaningful with activities done with others. For example, in addition to activities such as reading a book, meditating or listening to music alone, shared activities such as going out with friends or watching funny videos with the people you love bring happiness.

Stating that the feeling of satisfaction is the reward or pleasure received after striving for something, Brooks says that making an effort, being forced and making sacrifices are important for humanity. For example, he states that just as food tastes better when eaten when you are very hungry, successes achieved through effort provide more satisfaction.

Purpose stands out as the most important element that gives meaning to our lives. Brooks states that the sense of purpose is divided into three subheadings:
1. Consistency: Being aware of why things happened the way they did.

Goal 2: To determine why life progresses the way it does and the direction of goals.

3. Importance: Questioning whether living really has any importance.

Brooks states that there are no right answers to these questions, but there are wrong answers. If these questions cannot be answered, he says that this is a call for help and that, from a positive perspective, this situation is an opportunity to understand what to focus on. Accepting the difficulty of finding a purpose in life, Brooks emphasizes that even this effort is important to stay on the right track.