Beyond Happiness: What Science Says About a Flourishing Life

What if the pursuit of happiness isn’t the answer to living a fulfilling life? In a world where happiness is often framed as the ultimate goal, emotions like sadness, anger, and fear are frequently seen as obstacles to be avoided or fixed. This mindset can make happiness feel like an elusive ideal, pushing many into a constant cycle of striving to “find” it. But science suggests that the problem isn’t that we’re failing to achieve happiness—it’s that happiness was never the right goal to begin with.

What Scientists Say About Happiness

Many people chase happiness as though it’s a permanent state to reach, yet research shows that emotions are naturally transient. "Happiness isn’t something we achieve and hold onto—it’s a dynamic experience that shifts over time,” says Dr. Joanna Hong, a senior scientist at Healthy Minds Innovations.

Chief Science Officer Dr. Raquel Tatar explains that in her native language, Portuguese, there are two words for “happy”: feliz and contente. Feliz conveys a more intense, fleeting burst of joy, while contente speaks to a quieter sense of peace and contentment.

Dr. Tatar shares that she personally resonates with contente—this preference echoes a deeper truth explored in psychological and scientific research: that happiness and well-being are not the same thing. True well-being is often rooted in consistent, long-term contentment rather than the pursuit of brief moments of happiness. While feliz is wonderful in its moments, contente offers a steadier, more reliable foundation for our well-being and a fulfilling life.

“Happiness, like all emotions, signals something important within us or our environment," says Dr. Tammi Kral. "It can draw our attention in and heighten our memories…and while these brief moments of happiness may relate to long-term well-being, they alone don’t define it. Mistaking short-term happiness for flourishing can negatively affect our health, relationships, and overall well-being.”

So what if, instead of chasing happiness, we aimed for flourishing?

The Science of Flourishing

Research shows that human flourishing—a deeper, more sustainable form of well-being—is not about feeling good all the time. Research from leading neuroscientist Dr. Richard J. Davidson highlights that flourishing is multidimensional¹, encompassing more than just happiness. As data and behavioral scientist Dr. Sasha Sommerfeldt further explains, it “involves deeper factors, like having a sense of purpose, positive relationships, and feeling empowered.”

Flourishing extends beyond fleeting positive emotions. "It is very possible, and oftentimes more appropriate, to feel a negative emotion and still have a high level of overall well-being," says Dr. Tatar. Experiencing difficult emotions is not a sign of failure; rather, it is a natural part of a healthy and adaptive emotional life. Dr. Davidson reminds us that “there are events in our world that are occasions for sadness and other emotions, and we can still be flourishing during those times.”

Flourishing isn't just about maximizing happiness, but about cultivating a life rich in meaning, connection, and resilience. As Dr. Hong explains, "Just like our muscles grow stronger with exercise, our emotional resilience builds through each challenge we face—this isn't just uplifting; it's a crucial call to action to engage fully with all emotions, recognizing that the full range of our experiences, from joy to adversity, enhances our psychological and physical health."

A Sustainable Approach to Well-Being

Scientific research across many institutions supports the idea that true well-being is not about avoiding negative emotions, but about building the skills to navigate them. The team at HMI focuses on four key trainable skills that contribute to long-term flourishing based on a Healthy Minds Framework:

1. Awareness – A heightened and flexible attentiveness to sensory experiences like hearing and seeing, as well as internal experiences, such as bodily sensations, thoughts, and emotions.
2. Connection – A feeling of care and kinship toward other people, promoting supportive relationships and supportive interactions.
3. Insight – Self-knowledge concerning how our emotions, thoughts, and beliefs shape our experiences and sense of self.
4. Purpose – Being clear about your core values and deeper motivations and being able to apply them in your daily life.

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By strengthening these areas, individuals can build a foundation for well-being that persists beyond temporary emotional states like happiness.

Flourishing is not about constantly seeking happiness but about cultivating the skills that allow for resilience, purpose, and deep well-being. Remember, it's OK not to feel happy all the time. True well-being is about embracing the full spectrum of human experience and engaging with life as it is.