Happiness: the importance of simple pleasures

Photo: Julie Inksmith

By: Julie Inksmith

21/04/2026

As the world is being plagued by war, economic crises, and a pandemic, it’s hard not to stress over the predicament that we are in, on top of our personal problems. Recent research has shown the importance of simple pleasures to our overall well-being, as unhappiness is at an all-time high. It’s crucial for us to take the time to indulge in our personal simple pleasures, like going out for coffee, watching a movie, or going for a walk with a friend. It’s a journey of patience, trial and error, as well as self-reflection.

The problem: The rise of unhappiness

Everybody has noticed the rise of unhappiness, especially during the pandemic. However, according to The Gallup, “unhappiness has been steadily climbing for a decade” and “is at a record high”. They argue that it’s due to the rise of wellbeing inequality.

In 2006, they conducted a global research regarding subjective well-being, “happiness”, in which they asked people to rate their lives from 10, the best, to 0, the worst. When the study was first conducted, the results showed that 3.4% answered 10 and 1.6% answered 0. When asked more recently again, the numbers showed that 7.4% answered 10 and 7.6% answered 0.

Their conclusion was that the world is becoming increasingly unequal. In addition, they concluded that the people on top are “fulfilled by their work, have little financial stress, live in great communities, have good physical health, and have loved ones they can turn to for help” while on the other hand the people at the bottom “don’t have a quality job, their income is not enough to get by, they live in broken communities, they are hungry or malnourished, and they don’t have anyone in their life they can count on for help” which in turn increases their unhappiness.

What even is happiness?

It is hard to pinpoint exactly what happens in our brain and body when we feel happy, and given the complexity of our brains, many things, like happiness, remain abstract concepts. Thus far, researchers have found that when we feel happiness, our bodies mainly produce signalling chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin. Dopamine, also called the “happy hormone”, drives the brain’s reward system. Serotonin balances our mood and supports overall well-being; for instance, it regulates sleep and wound healing. Endorphins are known as our body’s natural painkillers and give support when overcoming stress. Oxytocin is not exactly a “happy hormone” like dopamine; however, it plays a big part in encouraging social interaction, which in turn helps us feel more of those “positive hormones”.

The hormones that stimulate the sensation of happiness are essential for both our physical and mental well-being. Research shows that “happiness can improve your physical health; feelings of positivity and fulfilment seem to benefit cardiovascular health, the immune system, inflammation levels, and blood pressure, among other things” (Psychology Today). Additionally, research has shown that it aids in longer lifespans.

The solution: simple pleasures

Simple pleasures can be defined as “experiences that are brief, positive, emerge in everyday settings, and are accessible to most people at little or no cost“ (Psychology Today). Simple pleasures are highly subjective, and thus, one person’s simple pleasures may not be appropriate for another. What matters most about simple pleasures is that they cater to our own personal preferences. And that they bring you happiness, as they are crucial in buffering the harmful effects of stress. Additionally, some research has shown that they play a vital role in helping us effectively regulate emotions by deploying attention to the “anticipation, savouring, and reminiscing of pleasurable states” (Frontiersin). Our happiness is within our personal control, but as with the majority of things, it’s easier said than done, as “finding happiness will always be an ongoing process. As people strive to create a meaningful and joyful life, cultivating certain behaviors can help, including meaning, authenticity, optimism, gratitude, compassion, and generosity” (Psychology Today). Simple pleasures can look like a regular indulgence in Starbucks coffee, cooking a nice meal, taking a Zumba class, taking a walk, watching your favourite movie, or engaging in practices like mindfulness, hygge, and ikigai.

Mindfulness is a concept that involves focusing on the present by paying attention to thoughts and feelings that one might feel with acknowledgement without judgment. Mindfulness isn’t about being happy all the time, but rather being present from moment to moment, even if it’s sad or happy, painful or joyful, difficult or easy. This is no easy task; it takes time and practice, just as building a muscle skill or habit does. The most common mindfulness practice is meditation, which increases dopamine levels, making us feel happy.

The Danish concept of hygge is “about cosiness and surrounding yourself with the things that make life good, like friendship, laughter, and security, as well as more concrete things like warmth, light, seasonal food, and drink” (Scandinavia standard). This concept was used to describe how the Danes would survive winter by lighting candles and drinking hot chocolate or alcohol. But the concept can be applied to all seasons, for example, hygge can look like ice cream on the beach or eating fresh strawberries in a park in the summer. The hygge feeling evokes comfort, which helps our bodies release oxytocin, which in turn releases serotonin.

Taking a look into the eastern side of the globe, we come across the concept of ikigai, “iki meaning alive or life, and gai, meaning benefit or worth (…) is a state of wellbeing that arises from devotion to activities one enjoys, which also brings a sense of fulfilment” (positive psychology). It is believed that we all have an ikigai, an intersection of passions and talents, as well as the potential to benefit others.

Similarly, to find the simple pleasures that suit you and bring you happiness, you need to go on a sort of journey to find your ikigai, which may take a lot of time, effort, and self-reflection. Ikigai is commonly depicted as a diagram showing overlapping spheres with the following titles: what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can get paid for.

In short, unhappiness is at an all-time high, and we need to take measures into our own hands to make ourselves happy through simple pleasures. Don’t be afraid to take a deep breath, take a small break, or go for a walk, because who doesn’t want better physical and mental health and to live longer? Hopefully, his article has provided you with tools – mindfulness, hygge and ikigai – which can aid you in your journey to a happier and healthier life. Now it’s in your hands to pursue what fits you best with research, trial and error, as well as reflection. And remember – it’s not a race. It’s a marathon.

Happiness: the importance of simple pleasures