What about the misconceptions about happiness? The things that people typically think are true that make us happy. However, they really don't, especially according to science. Well, that's what we want to focus on this section of the course, the misconceptions about happiness. Now, earlier, I asked you, what is happiness to you? And would you list some of the things you think contribute to happiness?

Well, what about making a lot of money? Was that on your list? Does a lot of money lead to happiness? How about getting the job you always wanted? Will that sustain your happiness? How about getting a nice car?

The house you always wanted expensive, beautiful jewelry gifts in general, or things? Do things bring you happiness? How about accomplishing goals? Now? Our first lesson was on goals right? Shouldn't that make us happy?

And how about never feeling pain or discomfort? Nobody likes that. Right? So no pain, then yes, happiness? Well, let's take a look at all of these in a little bit of detail. Of course, money is a necessity to live right.

But how much do we need? Well, we need enough to get us the basics, like food, a decent home, transportation and education, right? But so many people want to be rich, that's really rather common. But why do they want to be rich? How about you? Do people want to be rich because they believe it will lead to happiness?

Is that true? Well, studies show that a salary of around $75,000 a year is where happiness sort of levels out it plateaus. Now, this is number 75,000 can change from location To location because of the cost of living. Let's say in Atlanta, Georgia, that number is a little bit lower at $42,000. New York City is about $105,000. Now, there's a definite difference in the cost of living between these two places.

So we need the basics to survive and the basics to be happy. But do we really need more than this? Number sciences? No. Science says our level of happiness, sort of, as I said, plateaus after these numbers. Did you ever think that you'd be happy once you finished high school, or after you were accepted to university?

Do you think you'll be happy once you get your first job or you've got your first job, or the job you really wanted? How long do you think that happiness will last long term, short term? And is that happiness? I'd like to introduce you to an interesting concept called hedonic adaptation. strange word, right? Well, let's take a look at its definition he donek adaptation is the observed tendency of humans to quickly return to a relatively stable level of happiness, despite major positive or negative events or life changes, according to this theory, as a person makes more money, expectations and desires rise in tandem, which results in no permanent gain in happiness.

Still interested? Well do things like a big house, new car, beautiful jewelry, and expensive gifts make people happy? A lot of people work really hard for these things. They dream about them all the time. Why? How much happiness do they bring?

According to the hedonic adaptation concept, people may be temporarily happy, but that fades rather quickly. We tend to get tired and used to these things. However, something interesting happens when instead of receiving, we give to others. A 2008 study shows that happiness spikes when people spend money on others instead of themselves. Furthermore, in 2013, a follow up study found the same results in 136 different countries. So that tells you this is not a cultural thing.

This is a human thing. Furthermore, a 2017 study show there is a neural link between generosity and happiness. That means there's a brain connection, suggesting that the more generous someone is, the more happy that person in return becomes. We may get a shot of the neural transmitter dopamine when we finish items on our list or our to do list when we scroll through Facebook when we are beat a game for example, the same thing happens when we accomplish goals. Our brain gets this chemical release, and it feels good. However, it's pretty temporary.

Don't get me wrong, this is a good thing unless we get addicted to these dopamine shots. For example, Facebook, video games, gambling, those can be addictive. But having goals and accomplishing goals is great. It's the path to success, right? But the good feelings were off and simply finishing goals does not lead to happiness. Surprised.

So what does lead to happiness? Here's a clue. Have you ever heard the saying it's the journey, not the destination? Well, according to Linda Wallace, certified psychology coach, committed goal pursuit is one of the keys to happy life, but most of the happiness we get from striving for goals Comes while we're making progress toward them, not after we achieve them. That's pretty interesting. And that's why it's so important that we choose goals that are in sync with what we love and value and that we make a conscious effort to enjoy them along the way.

And no one wants to feel discomfort or be in pain. Of course, no one likes to suffer. So it seems to be logical that the less suffering we experience, the happier we become right? However, if there is no pain, would we be able to grow? Would we be able to appreciate the good without the bad? Research shows that pain helps us because it helps us recognize pleasure.

Relief from pain boosts pleasure. It helps us form social bonds and it helps us focus and take things more Seriously, so struggles, discomfort, pain, it's all necessary. It's part of life. And if we can recognize that and understand that it helps us on our journey to happiness. Well, all the better. So were you surprised with some of these misconceptions about happiness?

Well, we look quickly at money. Money is good, you got to have some of it. But you don't have to have a lot, at least not to be happy to you got to work right? But your dream job might make you happy temporarily. But that level of happiness may diminish over time. Three things like a house, car, jewelry, etc.

Gifts. Things don't really bring us happiness, although if they do that happiness is rather brief for accomplishing your goals. Now, we need goals to be successful, but just the act of accomplishing them does not really bring happiness. It's the pursuit The progress that we make that really brings us that happiness. And five, we need that pain, that discomfort to grow to progress, and that growth and progress leads to happiness. So I hope you found that as interesting as I did when I first heard these misconceptions on happiness.

Let's get ready for the next section. We're going to find out what things actually determine happiness scientifically. See you soon