By Teddy Leon
Happiness, an elusive yet cherished state of mind, is contagious. Like a gentle breeze that stirs a calm sea into motion, happiness has the ability to ripple through our lives and touch those around us in ways we seldom appreciate or even understand; when we are happy, our happiness can transform individuals, relationships, and communities, fostering a more joyful and interconnected world.
One of the ways this comes about is through a ‘mechanism’ called emotional contagion, the phenomenon of sharing and mirroring emotions, which has been extensively studied in the field of psychology. One such research conducted by Elaine Hatfield and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin-Madison revealed that people can “catch” emotions from others through subtle cues like facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language. This process triggers similar emotional experiences in our brains, leading to the spread of happiness within social interactions (Hatfield et al., 1994). Breaking it down even further, Hatfield found that by simply smiling or engaging in positive body language or tone could result in the person/s you are interacting with, smile and or engage in positive body posturing or speak in a more friendly fashion.
Now, imagine how this could work with our closest relationships. With a close proximity, maintained over a longer period, the contagious nature of happiness would becomes particularly potent. Therefore, one way of increasing happiness in your household, could be for you to behave in a happy manner, which in turn is transferred to your household, resulting in a “Happy House”. Support for this thinking can be found in a study published in the journal Psychological Science, which found that individuals who reported having happy spouses were more likely to experience their own happiness and life satisfaction over time (Carr et al., 2014). The study emphasized the importance of emotional contagion in marital relationships and how one partner’s happiness can positively influence the other’s well-being. It’s simple as that. Strive to be happy, and this in turn creates a space where you encounter even more happiness.
Yes, we all struggle with day to day challenges that can leave us feeling worried, sad, anxious, or even depressed. But by putting out in the universe, what we want for our selves, more likely than not, it will be returned to us. Happiness in, happiness out.
But, why the big deal about happiness? Well, the contagious nature of happiness has a profound impact on our overall mental and physical health. Multiple studies have shown that positive emotions, such as happiness, can improve immune function, reduce stress levels, enhance cognitive abilities, and promote overall well-being (Fredrickson, 2001; Pressman et al., 2013). The release of endorphins and neurotransmitters associated with pleasure and relaxation contribute to these beneficial effects.
So there you have it. Being happy, increases the likelihood that others around you will mirror your behavior, and in turn send happiness back your way. There is also the health benefits of experiencing happiness. It is a win-win really, nothing to lose, everything to gain. Give happiness a try today, like a fresh sheet on your bed, right after a shower. You will love it, and those around you will love it, and you.
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