Achieving the Happiness Threshold: A Scientific Approach
Keywords:
Happiness, minimum threshold of happiness, well-being, behavioral economicsAbstract
Happiness is a basic source of overall well-being and satisfaction. However, research suggests that a minimum threshold of happiness (5/10 on a subjective well-being scale) is necessary for maintaining a meaningful and functional life. This paper elaborates the biological, psychological, behavioral, and cognitive strength. neurological considerations of happiness, integrating research findings from neuroscience, positive psychology, and behavioral economics. It outlines evidence-based strategies to help individuals in attaining and sustaining this minimum level of happiness, thereby ensuring long-term well-being and cognitive strength.
Downloads
References
Achor, S. (2010). The happiness advantage: The seven principles of positive psychology that fuel success and performance at work. Crown Business.
Amabile, T., & Kramer, S. (2011). The progress principle: Using small wins to ignite joy, engagement, and creativity at work. Harvard Business Review Press.
Beck, A. T. (1976). Cognitive therapy and the emotional disorders. International Universities Press.
Boecker, H., Sprenger, T., Spilker, M. E., Henriksen, G., Koppenhoefer, M., Wagner, K. J., Valet, M., Berthele, A., & Tolle, T. R. (2008). The runner’s high: Opioidergic mechanisms in the human brain.Cerebral Cortex, 18(11), 2523–2531. https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhn013
Davidson, R. J., & McEwen, B. S. (2012). Social influences on neuroplasticity: Stress and interventions to promote well-being. Nature Neuroscience, 15(5), 689–695. https://doi.org/10.1038/nn.3093
Diener, E., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2002). Very happy people. Psychological Science, 13(1), 81–84. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9280.00415
Feldman Barrett, L. (2017). How emotions are made: The secret life of the brain. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Frederick, S., & Loewenstein, G. (1999). Hedonic adaptation. In D. Kahneman, E. Diener, & N. Schwarz (Eds.), Well-being: The foundations of hedonic psychology (pp. 302–329). Russell Sage Foundation.
Gilovich, T., Kumar, A., & Jampol, L. (2015). A wonderful life: Experiential consumption and the pursuit of happiness. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 25(1), 152–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. jcps.2014.08.004
Lazar, S. W., Kerr, C. E., Wasserman, R. H., Gray, J. R., Greve, D. N., Treadway, M. T., McGarvey, M., Quinn, B. T., Dusek, J. A., Benson, H., Rauch, S. L., Moore, C. I., & Fischl, B. (2005). Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness. Neuroreport, 16(17), 18931897. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.wnr.0000186598.66243.19
Lyubomirsky, S., Sheldon, K. M., & Schkade, D. (2005). Pursuing happiness: The architecture of sustainable change. Review of General Psychology, 9(2), 111–131. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680. 9.2.111
Downloads
Published
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Muskan Modi (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This journal published by Vyom Hans Publications is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, based on a work at https://vyomhansjournals.com/index.php/ View the Legal Code of the above-mentioned license, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode View License Deed here https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/