Is it harmless to embrace our messy selves? Pamela Roberts, therapist at Priory, says there are two types of happiness and that both are important. “Hedonic happiness is the kind of happiness you get from pleasure and enjoyment,” Roberts says. It’s the feeling you get from a delicious meal, a funny movie, or a spontaneous night out with friends. “This type of happiness is often short-lived and focuses on maximising pleasure and minimising pain. It’s about feeling good in the moment. Eudaimonic happiness, on the other hand, is a deeper and more lasting form of happiness. It comes from living a life of purpose, meaning, and personal growth. This is the happiness you get from achieving a long-term goal, helping others, or developing skills. It’s not always about feeling good in the moment, it might even require sacrifice or hard work.”
