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Well stated. I think there's also a key difference between happiness, which my parents' generation [boomerish] constantly cites as a kind of fixed life goal, a

Well stated. I think there's also a key difference between happiness, which my parents' generation [boomerish] constantly cites as a kind of fixed life goal, and contentedness, which I consider as a state of being more or less able to tolerate your own existence. The word "happy" is related to luck and chance -- like 'happenstance' -- and used to mean something like "fortunate." [see 'Hamlet' - "We are happy in that we are not overhappy... on Fortune's cap we are not the very button..."] Whereas lately, it's come to indicate an emotional state somewhere in the vicinity of joy. Even so, the word's earlier use points up something key about high emotional states : they are fleeting and fickle, just like the strumpet Fortune. For my part, I think that if I'd heard more about contentedness as a goal in my formative years, and less about happiness , the hedonic treadmill would have been much easier to avoid -- or, at least, consciously manage.

Retric 8y ago
You can increase your happiness within a range. Being economically secure including heath insurance and living below your means cuts out some major issues, but beyond that has minimal benifit. Partners / children can be a boost or stress point depending on the person, but loneliness is an almost universal drag. Thus seek and maintain positive friendships. Heath is somewhat up to the whims of fate, but a heathly diet, good sleeping habits, and minimal exercise can maximize what you have to work with.
- liftdd 8y ago
  Tangent: I've been looking more into longevity and I've noticed "minimal exercise" is a theme. What does this mean to you? I'm currently around 20% bodyfat. I eat healthy, drink when thirsty, sleep 7.5-9 hours, walk/bike as much as transport and do "convict conditioning" workouts 3 days a week. Outside of that, I don't "workout" but I am active in chores, hiking, etc. All my friends are extremely invested in fitness and all sub-15% bodyfat. I am very disciplined but I try to focus more on nutrition than fitness (I cheat too much!). I'd love more insight and if you had studies on this I'd love to learn more about efficient/minimal exercise.
  - Retric 8y ago
    That's likely over the threashold I am talking about. If you're consistent and do intense aka 75-85 max heart rate at least once for 30 minutes per week that makes a real difference over time. Lower intensity requires a lot more because the body needs to adapt to stress. Traditionally you see stuff like : http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/PhysicalActivity/FitnessBasics/American-Heart-Association-Recommendations-for-Physical-Activity-in-Adults_UCM_307976_Article.jsp#.WxRZEbEpChA http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/PhysicalActivity... and people say I don't have time for that. But studies find meaningful change happens at under 1/2 their recommended levels.

Retric 8y ago

You can increase your happiness within a range. Being economically secure including heath insurance and living below your means cuts out some major issues, but beyond that has minimal benifit. Partners / children can be a boost or stress point depending on the person, but loneliness is an almost universal drag. Thus seek and maintain positive friendships. Heath is somewhat up to the whims of fate, but a heathly diet, good sleeping habits, and minimal exercise can maximize what you have to work with.

liftdd 8y ago
Tangent: I've been looking more into longevity and I've noticed "minimal exercise" is a theme. What does this mean to you? I'm currently around 20% bodyfat. I eat healthy, drink when thirsty, sleep 7.5-9 hours, walk/bike as much as transport and do "convict conditioning" workouts 3 days a week. Outside of that, I don't "workout" but I am active in chores, hiking, etc. All my friends are extremely invested in fitness and all sub-15% bodyfat. I am very disciplined but I try to focus more on nutrition than fitness (I cheat too much!). I'd love more insight and if you had studies on this I'd love to learn more about efficient/minimal exercise.
- Retric 8y ago
  That's likely over the threashold I am talking about. If you're consistent and do intense aka 75-85 max heart rate at least once for 30 minutes per week that makes a real difference over time. Lower intensity requires a lot more because the body needs to adapt to stress. Traditionally you see stuff like : http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/PhysicalActivity/FitnessBasics/American-Heart-Association-Recommendations-for-Physical-Activity-in-Adults_UCM_307976_Article.jsp#.WxRZEbEpChA http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/PhysicalActivity... and people say I don't have time for that. But studies find meaningful change happens at under 1/2 their recommended levels.