By Karen Vaughn, MEd, LPC, CEAP, SAP

Have you ever known someone who just seemed very happy? I mean genuinely happy, in spite of the challenges and difficulties they may be currently facing. Have you ever thought wished you could be like that? What is happiness to you and how do you define it? Individuals define happiness differently. While research suggests that happiness is influenced by genetics, people can learn to be happier by developing optimism, gratitude and altruism. There is a form of psychology that focuses on helping people live happier lives. It is called “positive psychology.”

What Is positive psychology?

According to Psychology Today, positive psychology is the study of happiness. Psychology traditionally is focused on people with mental illness or other psychological problems and how to treat them. Positive psychology is a relatively new field that examines how ordinary people can become happier and live more fulfilled lives.

Some of the major topics of interest in positive psychology include:

• Happiness
• Optimism and helplessness
• Mindfulness
• Flow, which is a state of complete immersion in your present activity
• Character strengths and virtues
• Hope
• Positive thinking
• Resilience

Some of the major findings of positive psychology include:

• People are generally happy.
• Money doesn't necessarily buy well-being, but spending money on other people can make individuals happier.
• Some of the best ways to combat disappointments and setbacks include strong social relationships and character strengths.
• Work can be important to well-being, especially when people are able to engage in work that is purposeful and meaningful.

I like to focus on the concept of altruism. Altruism involves the unselfish concern for other people. It involves doing things simply out of a desire to help. Altruism is an act of kindness. Acts can range from simply holding a door open for someone, smiling and saying good morning, complimenting a person on something they did or something more major like rescuing a person from a burning building. There is a growing trend of people in drive-thru lines paying for the person behind them. What a great example of altruism. A perfect stranger with no strings or connection to you just paid for your meal. That makes both of you feel good.

Altruism is just one of the components that relates to positive psychology. If you are interested in becoming a happier person, learn more about this novel approach. It can make you feel better about who you are as a person.