In one of my past blog posts, I had talked about happiness and how it can lead to success. I had also covered some ways in which one can be happy. Now we have some research that suggests that we seek the eudaemonic kind of happiness, whereby the focus is on serving others and a higher purpose, over the hedonic kind, whereby the focus is on seeking personal pleasure.

Research is suggesting that in case you seek eudaeomonic happiness more than hedonic happiness, you may be doing your health a big favor! Such people’s antibody genes are 30% more active and their interferons, which help our immunity, are 10% more active than those of individuals preferring hedonic pleasures. In those preferring hedonic happiness over the eudaemonic kind, the inflammation causing genes were 20% more active and those associated with the production of virus-attacking antibodies were 20% less active.

It looks like Socrates, who advocated pursing a virtue filled life for happiness, was right all along!

In the long run, selfless, public-serving happiness may be winning over the selfish, pleasure seeking kind by leading to better health!