It is said that we all seek happiness, but it is often confused with joy. A fundamental part of human development is understanding the emotions and attitudes of the human being.
For this reason we must know the differences between joy and happiness in order to identify them properly and work on our personal growth if we want to achieve or strengthen one or the other.
What is the difference between joy and happiness?
Joy and happiness seem to be the same, but their differences are substantial. Because both refer us to optimistic and positive issues, we tend to believe that being happy is the same as being happy.
However, they are two different things and we are going to explain each one to you; this way you can better understand yourself and recognize if you are experiencing a state or an emotion You will surely be surprised when you learn the differences between joy and happiness.
one. Emotion and feeling
Emotions and feelings are different things An emotion is a reaction of the brain to a stimulus, whether internal or external. They are a transitory state that momentarily jolts us out of an even frame of mind. Emotions can lead us to act in certain ways in response to them, or on the other hand it can also happen that we repress them and with that we generate other types of situations in our being.
On the other hand feelings are the result of having experienced an emotion Somehow feelings are more rational, although they don't stop be based on the range of emotions that floods us after some significant event.They last longer than an emotion, and their background is deeper and with stronger roots.
The fundamental difference between joy and happiness is that one is emotion and the other is feeling. In this sense it is easy to identify joy as an emotion It is our response to an external or internal situation that makes us feel good and that we manifest with euphoria, laughter, tranquility and a sense of well-being. The duration of this emotion is proportional to the duration of the stimulus or the time we think about it.
Once the intensity of joy has passed, it gives way (or not) to a feeling of happiness. The way in which we manage those moments of joy largely determines the subsequent feeling that we will have. However, happiness can also be felt after having gone through an episode of less optimistic emotions, such as sadness or anguish. This is because the feeling of happiness is a bit more rational
2. Duration
Joy and happiness have different durations Due to these fundamental differences between one and the other, it is easy to understand that emotions have a shorter duration compared to happiness. Although you also have to understand that there is no feeling without prior emotion. Emotions become the engine and the raw material to build a feeling. It is in us that this feeling is positive and lasting.
For example, we have received the good news that we got a scholarship or a good job. This external stimulus comes to us and causes us an emotion If it was something we wanted very much, it will surely flood us with joy. This joy will accompany us for many days, even once school or work has started, however, if we do not manage it and take advantage of it, negative emotions such as fear or anxiety can also come.
At the same time, if we manage our emotions well and cultivate resilience and proactivity, this joy will help us build a sense of happinessonce we have started with our studies or with our new job. When the euphoria over the good news has passed, what will last is a state of happiness that is in our hands to make lasting.
That is why it is said that a key difference between joy and happiness is the duration of one and the other Joy is sudden emotion with a maximum duration a few weeks. While happiness can even be permanent, as a person can maintain a continuous feeling of happiness, even despite having bad times or situations. A person who feels happy can also feel happy, but a happy person does not always show the euphoria of joy.
3. Expression
The way to manifest joy and happiness is different Although we believe they are the same and manifest in the same way, in In reality, joy and happiness are different even in their way of expressing themselves and it is important to recognize one and the other because we tend to think that a happy person must manifest himself in such a way that that state and attitude towards life is evident, and it is expected that it be with the same euphoria as joy.
However, the way of expressing an emotion and a feeling is different. In addition to the fact that each person has her particularities to express her moods. For this reason, joy and happiness should not be pigeonholed If we understand that emotions and feelings have a singular form of expression, we will avoid interpreting one or another in the wrong way.
Joy is an intense emotion more focused on euphoria Its expression is spontaneous, it comes suddenly with an external or internal stimulus, it It manifests when something expected or to our liking comes into our life. Laughter and a smile, a slightly higher volume of voice, a relaxed and energetic body expression, a sparkling look, a posture of security or even a relaxed and peaceful face, are expressions of joy.
There are people who have a continuous happy expression, without a doubt that this contributes to a state of general well-being and a better way of dealing with problems. Happy people are not always in this euphoric state Happiness manifests itself with a confident personality, a frank smile, looking straight ahead when greeting, positive attitudes and comments and an aura of peace and harmony.