In our search for health, happiness, and well-being, we can utilize a variety of tools and techniques to fulfill that quest. When it comes to our body, some commonsense measures that are based on scientific research and studies can be integrated into our lives. These can include, for example taking vitamins in order to supplement our nutrition; one reason to do this is that essential amino acids that are not created by the body need to be incorporated or supplemented into our diet for proper body function.

Article written by Sun Jin Moon, who has graduated from Harvard University in June 2008 with a degree in Psychology. She is now Chairman of Seil Travel in Japan and South Korea.

However, the physical body is just one component of health. Mental or spiritual health is composed of feelings, emotions, and the internal mind, which, combined, are known as affect in the field of psychology. Therefore, when we think of health, we cannot just focus on the physical body without considering the health of our mind, or affect, and vice versa. We must consider the overall, interlinked framework of the mind and the body to achieve overall happiness and health.

The popular culture, especially through personalities in the news and entertainment media, has rushed to fill this void and answer the question of how to make life happier. Many various “therapies” promise quick-fix results, claiming to be panaceas for behaviors such as overeating, addictions, other bad health practices, and the abnormal moods and drives that are at the source of many unwell and negative lives. The results, however, are mixed, providing relief for only some people and usually for just a short time because these remedies are not entirely grounded in scientific evidence or successful clinical practice.

Also, within the field of psychology itself, psychologists have been frustrated because for years the field focused its study on only “pathological” behaviors or disorders. Defined according to Wikipedia, pathology stems from the Greek words pathos, meaning suffering, fate, or harm, and logia, meaning the knowledge or study. Thus combined, pathology is the study of the sources of diseases or illnesses and of the causes of suffering.

Heretofore the field of psychology has been defined as the diagnosis and treatment of pathological disorders by clinicians (psychologists or psychiatrists) who have been certified to treat severe mental illness. However, what about the nonpathologically diagnosed people of the world who just desire to live a better, happier, and healthier life?

This concern has spurred on a bourgeoning field of study that delves into what makes individuals happier and healthier. Instead of studying the origin of all the bad behaviors we want to lessen or quit, positive psychology has been steadily pioneering and increasing the span of scientific research to understand the origin of the healthy, positive behaviors that make us thrive, leading to well-being and happiness.