Meaning of life vs "hedonic happiness"

What is the benefits of living a happy life? And how could we define "happy"?

Research shows an interesting connection between our immune system and feelings of happiness.

This have been known for a long time, but even more interesting is the distinction between "empty happiness" as in just being happy(feeling good) for having a good life, and "meaningful happiness" that comes from a life who has some form of higher meaning in it.

Surprisingly this article,a new study published in

 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)

 brings out that our physical state/defense is strengthened by living a meaningful life even when it does not make us very happy. And being happy but without deeper meaning gives our immune system the same pattern as if we were under stress! 

It suggests that actually having a meaningful life is the real benefit for our wellbeing, and if we feel particularly happy or not have less importance. 

"Happiness without meaning characterizes a relatively shallow, self-absorbed or even selfish life, in which things go well, needs and desire are easily satisfied, and difficult or taxing entanglements are avoided," the authors of the study wrote. "If anything, pure happiness is linked to not helping others in need.” While being happy is about feeling good, meaning is derived from contributing to others or to society in a bigger way. As Roy Baumeister, one of the researchers, told me, "Partly what we do as human beings is to take care of others and contribute to others. This makes life meaningful but it does not necessarily make us happy.”

If we sometimes struggle to help other people or our environment,  but do not feel the great happiness in our life  it it still is to our benefit. The deep satisfaction by knowing that what we do make a difference is more value than shallow feel-good.

We remember the words of Jesus "It is more happiness in giving than to receiving",and realize even more the truth that it holds- it is not only bringing true happiness, but healthy life.

Read more in the Atlantic