Happiness is really the holy grail of life, and whether you realize it or not, almost everything you do is aimed at making yourself happy. The desire to be happy ranks at the top of most everyone's list; studies show that people put it ahead of health, status, and fame. Research has revealed that people who are happy live longer, are healthier, and have better relationships. Americans in particular place tremendous value on pursuing it.

Statistics show that less than 30 percent of people report being truly happy; 25 percent of Americans claim they are depressed. Some research conducted on twins suggests that our happiness levels may be genetically influenced, but that doesn't mean our happiness levels are fixed. There's a lot people can do to be happier in life.

First, it's important to define what makes you happy as a human being. Studies show that good relationships, meaningful work, community ties, and personal freedom all contribute to our happiness quotient.

Cultivating Happiness

Having MS or another chronic illness does not preclude you from happiness. People have the remarkable ability to adapt to changes in their lives, including illness, disability, change in employment status, or the death of a family member. It's important to remember, though, that happiness isn't something you stumble upon. It's something that you work on and cultivate. It's less a place you reach than it is the process of getting there.

How can you find ways to be happier? Here are some suggestions researched by Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who has done extensive study on happiness:

1. Realize that enduring happiness doesn't come from success. People adapt to changing circumstances whether the circumstance is wealth or a physical disability.

2. Take control of your time. Happy people feel in control of their lives. One can master her use of time by setting goals and breaking them into daily objectives. Though people often overestimate how much they can accomplish in a day, you generally underestimate how much you can accomplish if you work on it bit by bit.

3. Act happy. Sometimes you can act yourself into a frame of mind. Just by smiling, one can begin to feel better; just as scowling can result in feeling negative. So, put on a happy face and see if you can trigger the happiness emotion.

4. Seek work and leisure that engage your skills. Happy people are often in a zone called “flow” — an absorption in a task that challenges them without overwhelming them.

5. Join the “movement” movement. A large amount of research has revealed that aerobic exercise, as well as yoga and meditation, not only promotes health and energy, it also helps to alleviate mild depression and anxiety.

6. Give your body the sleep it wants. Happy people tend to live active, vigorous lives, yet reserve time for rejuvenating sleep and solitude. Sleep deprivation can result in fatigue, diminished alertness, and gloomy moods.

7. Give priority to close relationships. Close, intimate friendships with those who care deeply about you can help you get through difficult times. Resolve to nurture your closest relationships by not taking them for granted, show kindness to them, affirm them, and share time together.

8. Focus beyond the self. It is important to reach out to those in need. While happiness can increase helpfulness, doing good also makes one feel good.

9. Keep a gratitude journal. Taking time each day to pause and to reflect on some positive aspect of your life (such as friends, family, health, freedom, education, natural surroundings) may increase your well-being.

10. Nurture your spiritual self. For many, focus on spirituality and religion provides a support community, a way to look beyond self, and a sense of purpose and hope. Research indicates that people who nurture religious or spiritual interests tend to be happier and cope better with crises.

All of these suggestions can be adapted to your own needs and limitations. If fatigue has kept you from cultivating relationships with friends, try to find a proactive way to address the issue. Can you plan a weekly or monthly get-together at your house? Suggest a potluck dinner so everyone shares a portion of the prep work. Speak with your neurologist about ways in which you can improve your sleep habits or ask him to help you establish an exercise routine. If you're feeling housebound, volunteer at your local chapter of the NMSS or hospital for a few hours a week. The point is to decide what makes you happy, then assess areas of your life where you may be deficient and set out to improve the situation. You, and you alone, must take responsibility for your own happiness.