MURIITHI: Happiness and Mental Health—The Inseparable Twins

Socrates, a classical Greek philosopher, postulates that the ultimate goal of human existence was to achieve a state of eudaimonia, or happiness.

He additionally asserts that life revolves around discovering your genuine guiding principle or dedication to significant endeavors that provide our existence with purpose and fulfillment.

It's about discovering happiness and satisfaction throughout the voyage of life.

The Stoics advocated for leading a virtuous existence, which has the capacity to grant individual happiness and contentment.

Seneca, who is considered the founder of Stoic philosophy, claims that genuine happiness lies in enjoying the moment without anxiously depending on the future. He suggests avoiding distractions from hopes and fears, instead finding contentment in our current circumstances, which he believes are enough. Meanwhile, the Bible encourages perpetual joyfulness and cheerfulness, as seen in Ecclesiastes 9:8.

More than four centuries ago, Shakespeare declared that performing acts of kindness is the greatest virtue, a key component for fostering happiness both individually and collectively within society.

Similar to 'mercy' in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice," compassion is "twice-blessed" — it blesses both those who offer and those who experience it.

This confirms a link between happiness and mental well-being. Being happy precedes the upkeep of emotional stability.

Joy fosters optimism, positivity, and energy, all of which are essential for our health. Research indicates that people pursue happiness through three primary methods: engaging in activities they excel at, participating in actions beneficial to themselves, and contributing positively to the lives of others.

Research has additionally confirmed that happiness is strongly connected to enjoying one's career, maintaining strong personal bonds, and looking after one's physical and emotional well-being.

The World Happiness Report of 2025 indicates that developing nations frequently rank lower in terms of happiness. Conversely, those at the top of the list for overall well-being include several countries from Scandinavia.

The happiest nations include Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway. These countries exhibit low rates of mental health issues.

Cardiovascular diseases have emerged as a significant public health issue in Kenya. happiness decreases the likelihood of developing these conditions, helps lower blood pressure, promotes better sleep, enhances dietary choices, encourages consistent physical activity for maintaining a healthy body weight, and alleviates stress.

In fact, the incapacity to feel happiness or enjoyment often serves as an early indicator for various mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, addiction, and more.

The positive aspect is that achieving joy and happiness is possible, and there are treatments available to assist in regaining enthusiasm for life's pursuits.

Frequently, individuals confronting mental health issues experience a significant degree of denial. This is a typical response to the disturbance of one's usual way of life.

Individuals dealing with mental health issues should acknowledge their conditions along with the challenges that rob them of pleasure and contentment. Embracing this reality is crucial for one's overall wellness and capacity to handle life's demands efficiently.

Embracing allows for the creation and sustenance of a healthy self-image, which can lead to reclaiming joy. Nonetheless, embracing is a process rather than an endpoint.

Mental health issues rob individuals of their joy and happiness. It is essential to develop and sustain a healthy self-image.

Each of us is a distinct soul with our own narrative, where a mental health struggle is merely one page within the extensive book that is life.

It’s essential to consistently nurture a favorable self-image and participate in actions that strengthen this viewpoint. Each of us ought to strive for validations of our capabilities and value.

No one facing mental challenges is alone on this journey. Countless individuals have navigated these difficulties and come out with a deeper self-understanding.

Each person's narrative can also embody empowerment, development, and significant individual success, leading to greater joy and contentment.

Everyone has a duty to work towards general emotional wellness by recognizing the habits that lead to unhappiness and discovering methods to tackle these issues. Each person ought to aim for their own happiness as well as contribute to the happiness of those around them.

Each person ought to view seeking joy and happiness as an ethical objective in their lives.

Aristotle posited that the ultimate aim of existence is achieving happiness. The quest for joy involves not only personal fulfillment but also contributing to the well-being of those around us.

Each person possesses the ability to generate joyful instances daily. Repeating acts of happiness aids in sustaining our emotional equilibrium and decreases the likelihood of encountering mental health issues.

Eliud Muriithi, Head of Commercial Services at KEMSA

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).