• Mental Health

What is Happiness?

Published: July 16, 2025
Updated: July 16, 2025
3 mins

Everyone wants happiness, even though each person’s idea of happiness may be different. Happiness can be a fleeting feeling, a state of mind, or something deeper that we chase. Across cultures, belief systems, and scientific fields, the meaning of happiness shifts – sometimes subtly, sometimes dramatically. 

In this article, we’ll explore happiness through three powerful lenses: philosophy, biblical teachings, and science. We’ll break down how happiness is defined, how it differs from similar feelings like joy or satisfaction, and whether it’s something we can measure. 

Defining Happiness

To define happiness, we first have to admit there’s no single answer. The most common happiness definition involves a sense of pleasure, fulfillment, and overall well-being. In psychology, happiness is often associated with positive emotions, life satisfaction, and a sense of purpose.

But happiness is more than just a good mood. It’s tied to how we evaluate our lives over time – not just in moments of joy, but in how content and meaningful we feel on a deeper level. 

People often use other words for happiness – like contentment, bliss, or delight – but each carries a slightly different nuance. While happiness may be short-lived or influenced by outside circumstances, contentment suggests a more stable, internal peace. Pleasure relates to the senses, while satisfaction may come from achieving goals. These synonyms for happiness help capture its complexity, but they also show why pinning down an exact definition can be tricky.

Philosophical Views on Happiness

Throughout history, philosophers have tried to define happiness in ways that go far beyond fleeting pleasure. Unlike the modern idea of happiness as a temporary emotional state, many classical thinkers believed happiness was tied to virtue, wisdom, or alignment with a greater purpose.

Aristotle’s eudaimonia vs. hedonism

One of the earliest and most influential ideas comes from Aristotle, who described happiness as eudaimonia – a state of flourishing or living in accordance with one’s true nature. According to Aristotle, happiness is the result of a well-lived life, grounded in reason, moral virtue, and fulfilling one’s potential.

In contrast, hedonism sees happiness as the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. But even that philosophy emphasizes mental peace and lasting satisfaction over indulgence.

Stoic vs. epicurean interpretations

The Stoics took an entirely different route. They believed that happiness comes from inner freedom, emotional discipline, and living in harmony with nature and reason. To the Stoics, external events don’t determine happiness – our response to them does.

The Epicureans, while often misunderstood as pleasure-seekers, actually taught that true happiness involves simplicity, friendship, and the absence of anxiety. Their focus was on peace of mind, not material excess.

Biblical Perspectives on Happiness

Biblical texts distinguish between worldly happiness, which is often associated with temporary circumstances, and spiritual joy, which is linked to a relationship with God. 

In Scripture, happiness is frequently associated with obedience, gratitude, and trust in God, rather than external success or comfort. Many Bible verses about happiness – such as Psalm 144:15 ("Happy are the people whose God is the Lord") and Philippians 4:4 ("Rejoice in the Lord always") – emphasize joy rooted in faith rather than situation.

The Book of Proverbs connects wise and moral living with long-term well-being, while the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 describe those who are “blessed” (often interpreted as happy) based on spiritual qualities like mercy, humility, and righteousness.

These themes appear consistently across happiness verses from the Bible, biblical verses on happiness, and happiness verses in the Bible, where lasting happiness is portrayed not as a fleeting emotion but as something tied to spiritual perspective and practice.

The Science and Medicine of Happiness

From a medical and psychological perspective, happiness is typically associated with emotional well-being, life satisfaction, and overall mental health. It’s often measured through self-report surveys and psychological scales, including tools used in the World Happiness Report, which evaluates factors like income, social support, and perceived freedom.

Neurologically, happiness involves brain chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin, which play key roles in mood regulation and the brain’s reward systems. These neurotransmitters influence how individuals experience pleasure, motivation, and emotional stability.

In psychology, particularly positive psychology, models like PERMA (positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, accomplishment) have been developed to define and cultivate well-being. This approach emphasizes that happiness is not just the absence of distress but the presence of psychological strengths and purpose.

Studies also show that higher levels of happiness are linked to better physical and mental health – including reduced stress, lower rates of depression, stronger immune function, and even increased longevity.

How Do We Measure Happiness Globally?

The World Happiness Report is one of the most widely recognized efforts to assess happiness on a global scale. Published annually, it ranks countries based on factors such as GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. These metrics aim to capture both economic and emotional well-being across populations.

Cultural differences play a significant role in how happiness is defined and experienced. In some societies, happiness may be closely tied to individual achievement and freedom, while in others it may emphasize community, harmony, or spiritual fulfillment. These variations can influence how people respond to global surveys and how nations interpret the concept of happiness.

The International Day of Happiness, observed every March 20, was established by the United Nations to promote happiness as a universal goal and to raise awareness of its importance in public policy and development. It establishes a growing global recognition that happiness is more than a personal pursuit – it's a collective measure of well-being that deserves serious attention.

Can Money Buy Happiness?

The correlation between money and happiness has been widely studied in economics and psychology. Research suggests that money can improve happiness – up to a point. Increased income is generally associated with higher life satisfaction when it helps meet basic needs, reduce stress, and provide security. However, beyond a certain income level, happiness tends to plateau.

This pattern is often linked to lifestyle inflation, where spending rises with income but doesn’t necessarily lead to greater fulfillment. In contrast, emotional security, freedom, and meaningful relationships tend to have a more lasting impact on well-being than material possessions.

While some findings differ, most studies align on the idea that while money matters, especially in reducing hardship, it doesn’t guarantee long-term happiness. This supports the idea that money can influence happiness – but doesn’t define it.

Does Food Make Us Happy?

Food can influence happiness through both biological and social pathways. Nutritionally, the gut-brain axis connects digestion to emotional regulation, with certain nutrients affecting neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin – chemicals that play key roles in mood and motivation.

While comfort eating may temporarily improve mood, it’s often linked to stress or emotional coping and doesn’t contribute to lasting well-being. In contrast, balanced, nutrient-rich diets are associated with better mental health and more stable mood over time.

Food also plays a cultural and social role in happiness. Shared meals, family traditions, and cultural food rituals often foster connection and joy, contributing to emotional satisfaction beyond the nutritional value of the meal itself.

Where Can I Learn More About My Wellbeing?

Happiness isn’t always easy to define – and for some, it can feel completely out of reach. If you're concerned about low mood, lack of motivation, or emotional numbness, it may be more than just a rough patch. Conditions like depression can make it difficult to experience joy or fulfillment, even in positive circumstances.

With LifeMD, you can connect with a licensed healthcare provider who will work with you to better understand your treatment options and help you manage life with depression. If appropriate, LifeMD-affiliated providers can prescribe FDA-approved medications as part of your care plan.

Take the next step toward feeling better – learn how to prioritize your mental health today.

LifeMD makes it easy to stay on top of your health because talking to a doctor, filling your prescriptions, getting your labs done—and more—are all easy and cost-effective. Come discover a healthcare solution built around you and your life.

Connect with a doctor now!

Join Now