Why Hope is More Important Than Happiness

What emotion gives your life meaning. Most people would say happiness. After all, happiness is attributed to helping your overall wellbeing.

But happiness isn’t about giving your life meaning and purpose, but hope is. A recent study from the University of Missouri found that hope is more important for your wellbeing than happiness.

Hope is not about just wishful thinking, according to earth.com, or about achieving goals. This stand-alone emotion is a powerful force that makes you feel that your life matters.

“Our research shifts the perspective on hope from merely a cognitive process related to goal attainment to recognizing it as a vital emotional experience that enriches life’s meaning,” Study lead author Megan Edwards told earth.com.

Researching Hope
The study consisted of six experiments, reported The Jerusalem Post, that involved over 2,300 participants from different backgrounds. The researchers looked at a wide range of emotions including happiness, gratitude, and satisfaction.

Laura King, a psychology professor involved in the study, told JPost: “Experiencing life as meaningful is crucial for almost everything you can think of as ‘good’ in someone’s life.”

The study has recognized how important hope is and how vital it is to wellbeing. But understanding exactly why is not that easy. The researchers found that hope begins with the belief that situations can change and that the future can get better.

This future orientated emotion is more important than happiness which is an in-the-moment emotion. Happiness can change in a moment, but hope is long term.

Ways to Build Hope
Building hope is not as hard as it sounds, according to earth.com, and the researchers offered practical tips that can make a big difference in your life.

First, begin by recognizing the good moments in life, a beautiful sunrise, that first cup of coffee, or a kind gesture by a co-worker. Use these small wins to remind yourself that life can be positive.

Recognize and celebrate progress in your endeavors, whether it is learning something new, or even just getting through a tough week. Always move forward, even if you are taking baby steps. This will allow you to take control of your life.

Start taking care of something, a cat, a plant, a friend, or even yourself. This will help to reinforce the idea that the future matters.

But most importantly, keep in mind that things change, hard times do not last, and it can get better. Hope for the future is what can keep you going through almost anything. Hope is what you need to live your best life.