Love is indescribable and undefinable, it’s what starry-eyed lovers whisper as they gaze at an ocean sunset or what 8-year olds shout to their mothers as they sprint toward the already departing morning bus heading for school. It’s what makes people fall in and out of relationships all the time, it’s what makes them give up their careers for their kids, it’s what makes them break a million-dollar deal just to help a friend in need.
It’s the reason people stay up all night to finish a creative project that they care about, it’s why they forgive their partner for always being late or why they commit to a long-term relationship with someone who isn’t very good at communication. Love is also the reason why people are so devoted to their sports team, why they work so hard on their grades so they can get into a great university and why they are devastated when their favorite band breaks up. Love is what keeps us going and pushes us to be our best.
Some people believe that there are different types of love – such as parental love, sexy romantic love and love for other humans (brotherly love) while others believe that the concept of love is a universal experience that can be described in many ways. But most people agree that there are some common traits in loving behaviours, including admiration for a person’s physical and psychological qualities, desire to spend time with them and be close to them, and trust that they will not leave you.
Whether or not love is real, it’s important to remember that it’s a feeling and it’s not something that can be forced upon anyone. Even if you’re not in a romantic relationship, there are many things that can make you happy and feel loved – for example, the happiness that comes from being surrounded by nature or spending time with friends. These elements are not as strong or as instantaneous as the feelings of love, but they can still be very valuable and should not be underestimated.
In the last few years, studies have been done that show how love and happiness are linked. It was found that happy people are more likely to be in love. They are more likely to take risks and be open-minded, which is often considered to be a trait of being in love. Happier people are also more resilient to life’s challenges and more likely to be generous and supportive of their friends.
There are many definitions of happiness, but one that has been shown to be a significant predictor of the quality of life is eudaimonia. Eudaimonia is defined as a feeling of meaning and purpose in life, a sense that your life has value and that you can contribute to society. It’s the type of happiness that comes from doing what you love and from making a difference. It’s also the happiness you can find in moments of discomfort – when your heart is broken or when you’re having a bad day at work.
