Happiness: Universal values as road signs

Everyone has road signs posted along their lifeʼs journey. The science of happiness calls these road signs values. Whether you get your values from religion or from another source, your values help guide and direct you on your path to happiness. You respond differently to life because of your values. For example, if your highest value is family, you will make different choices than if your highest value is your physical appearance.

Understanding what you value is critical to increasing your happiness. Mental health experts behind the World Happiness Report specifically identified Values as one of the determinants that directly impacts your happiness. The science of happiness defines values as broad goals that apply to many different situations and remain consistently stable over time. Coming to understand what your own values (broad goals) are can help you shed light on the road signs you are using to navigate your life.