Cigna announces expanded relationship with Happify Health to support the emotional health of millions of its members
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The Science of Happiness What Is Happiness, Anyway? We all have deeply personal (and different!) definitions of happiness. But here's how scientists see it: Happiness is a combination of: How satisfied you are with your life + How good you feel on a day-to-day basis It varies from person to person, but approximately… 15% of your happiness is controlled by your thoughts, actions, and behaviors 70-80% is genetically determined 18-26% is determined by your current circumstances Happiness is a skill that you can build with consistent practice. You have the ability to control how fulfilling your life is! Here's What Happiness Is NOT - Feeling hunky-dory all the time - Having all the money you could ever want - Refusing to see the negative stuff in the world - A final destination Happy People Are Healthier They have lower blood pressure They have better immunity They have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease They may heal faster after illness and injuries They report having fewer sick days They're more likely to have a healthier diet They tend to live longer You Don't Have to Be Happy All the Time Allowing yourself to feel emotions appropriate to a given situation—anger or indignation, for example—is necessary to help you acknowledge problems and move through them. Why Your Happiness Isn't Just About You Happy people… Are good problem solvers Are more productive at their jobs Tend to volunteer more Perform more acts of kindness toward others Increase Your Happiness in the Long Run By… -Nurturing relationships -Having new experiences -Helping others -Being grateful for what you have Get Even More Happiness Out of a Good Experience by Savoring It - Use all your senses: Pay attention to sights, sounds, smells, etc. - Pay attention to the little details of the experience - Share it with someone else - Linger! Dwell on the moment Savoring experiences can make us happier, more resilient, and more grateful while reducing levels of stress and depression, according to a number of studies. 3 Things That Will Kill Your Happiness Over Time - Comparing yourself to others - A lack of close friendships - Holding on to resentment Embrace Adversity People who've experienced adversity are happier than those who've never experienced any. Dealing with adversity and making sense of our challenges helps us: - Shape our identities - Increase our self-knowledge and perspective - Cope better with current stressors - Become more optimistic about the future - Feel more compassionate toward others The Search for Meaning To feel connected to a deeper purpose or mission in life is key for our well‑being. People who feel that their lives are meaningful tend to live happier, healthier, longer lives than those who are less inclined to view their lives as purposeful. Different Ways People Find Meaning - Through a fulfilling career People who find meaning at work show more motivation and engagement on the job. - Through spirituality/religion Americans who are spiritual or religious tend to be happier than those who aren't. Besides meaning, it also gives people a built-in social network. - By showing passion and perseverance in pursuing long-term goals Persistence in striving for an important goal may help you feel happier and more satisfied with life. - By having a family and raising kids Family is listed as the main source of meaning in life across various public surveys. Make Time for Friends Having and valuing close friendships is linked with higher levels of happiness, better health, and greater well‑being. Confiding in a trusted friend may help relieve stress and anxiety by offering the support you need and reinforcing that you’re not alone. A worldwide survey reports that 41% of people turn to their friends when they need to talk about their mental health issues. In another study, people reported greater feelings of well‑being when they hung out with their friends compared to their romantic partner or children. Researchers believe spending more time with friends means engaging in enjoyable activities—whereas time allocated toward family tends to be devoted to household chores, errands, and taking care of children. The Power of Gratitude

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