Newsletter
Life Satisfaction2025-09-22
“Nothing can bring you happiness but yourself.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
Most people think that life success is the ultimate objective, and that may be true. However, what matters for mental health, physical health, and even for longevity is the perception of life success, i.e. life satisfaction. Life satisfaction is (partially) a consequence of life success, but is also modulated by cultural values, mental health and addictions.
Life satisfaction has three components: happiness of having needs met, hope of future improvements, and meaning of your journey through life-that your life matters. These things can come from real life success, from our cultural values, or they can come from addictions that hijack the basic neurobiology of satisfaction.
When your life satisfaction is greater than your life success, it can be due to optimism or addictions. When life satisfaction is less than your life success, it can be due to pessimism or mental health issues.
As such, the prescription for a satisfied life certainly involves striving for life success. But it also involves being optimistic, treating any mental health issues, and avoiding addictions. We can help with all of the above with our Life x Improve digital testing, Life x Mind app, and MindX One blood testing. Your life is important, so take care of it accordingly!