Do you like pie? How about happiness pie? In this mini-series, I am sharing with you how our happiness pie chart is broken down into three unique sections. Today, we talk about the first slice, genetics.  

Transcript:

Welcome to Everyday Happiness where we create lasting happiness, in about 2 minutes a day,  through my signature method of Intentional Margins® (creating harmony between your to-dos and your priorities), happiness science, and musings about life. 

I'm your host Katie Jefcoat and did you know that there is a “set range” to happiness? There is, and this pre-determined aspect dramatically affects your happiness. How does it work? 

Growing research completed with identical and fraternal twins suggests that each person is born with a particular happiness range that comes genetically from our biological parents. Of course, there is an average happiness baseline where most people tend to sit naturally. That also means that some people are genetically less happy or more happy than others as well.  

In addition, this range is what our happiness levels will return to even after crises and joys due to hedonic adaptation, which many of you have heard about in previous episodes. Depending on that crisis or joy, you may sit lower or higher in that range, but you are still somewhere within your genetically described limits. 

The easiest way to think about the happiness range for me is by comparing it to people’s weight. Some people are just naturally skinny, while others may have to battle their weight their entire lives to maintain a healthy figure. Our bodies have a comfy weight it likes to sit at, whether that is 120 to 130 pounds or 170 to 190 pounds, and anything above or below that number takes substantial effort. 

The same applies to happiness. Your happiness “weight” likes to sit at a particular spot. To go above and below that range relies on other factors, and to consistently stay above that range (i.e., to be happier) takes significant effort. 

Tune in tomorrow to find out about happiness pie and what the slices entail! 

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