Psychologists explain how the pursuit of happiness can lead to unhappiness.

Many contemporary studies are dedicated to happiness. For instance, the authors of recent research have found that an individual's life satisfaction may be linked to their politeness and that it peaks at certain times of the day, week, and year.

Researchers from Chonbuk National University in South Korea and the University of Toronto in Canada have identified the cause of the "happiness paradox" — a phenomenon where a person's attempts to become happier actually decrease their life satisfaction. The findings of the study were published in the scientific journal Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being.

The authors conducted a series of experiments involving several hundred participants. Initially, the scientists discovered that the more people strive to be happy, the less they engage in self-control. This led to the hypothesis that the pursuit of happiness and self-control compete for the same "source" of mental resources.

This assumption was tested in subsequent experiments. When participants were asked to create lists of items (an activity that requires mental resources and self-control), those attempting to be happier spent less time on the task. When allowed to eat as many candies as they wanted, those shown an advertisement with the word "happiness" consumed more, as it triggered a desire for that state. When asked to choose an item that would improve their well-being (i.e., increase their happiness level), or any item based on personal preferences, those who had to "search for happiness" demonstrated higher mental expenditure.

"The pursuit of happiness requires mental effort. Instead of simply going with the flow, you are trying to feel differently. These efforts deplete your ability to do what brings you happiness," the authors of the research explained.

According to the researchers, one should not "fixate" on the feeling of happiness or what might trigger it. "Instead of trying to acquire more of what you want, look at what you already have and simply accept it as a source of happiness," they concluded.