Is the Science of Happiness Real? A Critical Look at the Marketing

The science of happiness studies the steps towards being happy. It is gaining ground in psychology and in marketing, as more and more companies look at improving the wellbeing of their employees and customers. You have surely seen headlines like these:

What is the science of happiness and why does it matter?
The secrets of happiness, according to science.
How can I apply the science of happiness to my life?
Common mistakes people make when trying to be happy.
The best ways to bring the science of happiness into your life.
The science of happiness: what works and what does not?
How the science of happiness can improve your life.
The keys to being happy, according to science.
The 10 principles of the science of happiness.
How the science of happiness can change the world.

The “science of happiness” is largely a marketing label, and it has little to do with how happiness actually works in your life.

This guide looks at what the label promises, what it can honestly deliver, and what you can do instead.

What is the science of happiness?

It is a relatively new field built on the idea that happiness is a choice and that people can learn to be happy. It looks at how our actions and thoughts affect our mood, and tries to find ways to improve our happiness and wellbeing.

What is wellbeing?

Wellbeing is a state of physical, mental and emotional health in which you feel well and satisfied with your life. It depends on many things: food, exercise, rest, your relationships and the place where you live.

What does the science of happiness promise?

It promises to help you:

Understand what makes you happy.
Learn to manage your emotions.
Reduce stress and anxiety.
Raise your energy and enthusiasm.
Value the people around you.
Improve your health.
Make better choices in life.

Is there really a science of happiness?

Followers of the science of happiness believe that happiness comes from a mix of factors, among them health, attitude, relationships, work and purpose in life. It has been the subject of many studies and books and has become a multi-million-dollar industry. Books, courses, apps and therapies related to it are sold all over the world.

It is legitimate marketing, but it cannot really be called a science in its own right. Many gurus say it is a complete science, yet there is no evidence that it works as promised. Talking about “measuring happiness” or “the science of happiness” is improper in scientific terms. Speaking of a science exclusive to happiness is as odd as speaking of the science of poker, and it is one of the most repeated myths about happiness. Read can happiness be measured? for the full argument.

What is often claimed	What we can say honestly
“Science has found the formula for happiness”	Research gives general guidelines, not a formula for each person
“Happiness can be measured exactly”	Indicators model happiness in different ways; none measures it directly
“Follow these steps and you will be happy”	What makes one person happy may not work for another
“More happiness is always better”	Chasing it can backfire; see fear of being happy

How can we improve our happiness?

There are many ways. Practise gratitude, keep a positive attitude, be kind to others, exercise and eat well. It also helps to set and reach goals, to have a support network of friends and family, and to take part in activities that make you feel good. These are general guidelines, though: there is no scientific proof of what makes each person happy.

That is why Happiness Play bets on technology that helps people work on their own happiness, and helps you discover what makes you happy. The idea behind it is explained in the Coaching of Variety.

Who needs the science of happiness?

Nobody needs a label. Happiness is a choice and you have to learn to develop it, knowing that science cannot say exactly what makes you, specifically, happy. Be wary of anyone who sells certainty. The critical view is not new: for example, The Wellness Syndrome argued that the pressure to be happy can make people worse off.