We Are Happier on the Holidays

Many of us are waiting for happiness. We firmly believe that if we are not happy now, we are happy when our career is finally taking off, when we have the baby, when we find the perfect man, when we are rich. This "myth of happiness" is widespread prejudice that our expectations too high may prompt a major crisis when we realize that achieving those dreams did not our happiness (or longer) as hard as he thought that they would.

The holidays are full of expectations that Pollyannaish time. We hope that throughout the year, the holiday recipes section, written-do lists, research gifts and make travel plans. We expect the joy on the faces of our children as gifts, admiration we feel for religious rituals, the excitation of long-awaited vacation, and the joy of meeting with family members and old friends open.

Science shows, however, that such high expectations are often wrong and toxic. Toxic because they can lead to disappointment and even depression. A mistake because we focus too much on high highlights (eg, holidays, travel or holidays) and too little in life, improves and discomfort are what most influences our happiness. The researchers found that the discomfort is worse than the disaster and the daily pleasures that affect our well-being larger events.
Unfortunately, the holidays are filled with daily events, sprains and grievances. Cookies are burned, the car does not start, luggage is lost, Uncle alcoholic ruin brunch, once again, and the children are in trouble. We are conveniently forgotten our inclination to be changed during the car rides or our tendency to revert to adolescent behavior when criticized by a parent or overshadowed by a brother. Therefore, when our imagination faces vacation everyday reality, in most cases, does not reach the height. Why are we not happier during the holidays? Because, despite defying the year, our expectations for the joy of the feast are still too optimistic and confident, year after year.