‘Sustainable happiness’ is an important factor in our day-to-day lives, a wellbeing expert has claimed.

To mark International Day of Happiness, doctor, author and wellbeing expert Dr Mark Rowe told Lunchtime Live he thinks happiness is a phrase that is “often misunderstood”.

“I think happiness is a word that's often misunderstood because it really isn't about this notion that I'll be happy when I lose 20 pounds or I'll be happy when I, you know, get my dream house or get my dream career or whatever it is - that's really an illusion,” he said.

“Sustainable happiness really is something that comes from within, through the sort of micro moments and small little habits we cultivate day to day.”

Dr Rowe said there are four key ingredients to happiness.

“I think the best definition of happiness I've ever been able to come up with is having someone to love and care for, something to be grateful for, something useful to do and something to look forward to,” he said.

“I think the reason I said that caring for somebody, you know, sustainable relationships, I think are the leading indicator of our wellbeing.

“Just look at how unhappy people can be when they're experiencing loneliness or isolation or disconnection.”

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The “having something useful to do” aspect of happiness, Dr Rowe suggests is speaking to a sense of purpose.

He also suggests that the best way to “cultivate purpose” in your life is through acts of kindness.

“Perhaps the best way to cultivate purpose in our lives is to reach out and help somebody else,” he said.

“A brilliant piece of research recently has shown that simply three random acts of kindness over an entire week can boost your mental health and lower feelings of depression, reduce feelings of stress and loneliness and disconnection.

“So reaching out to support others and, of course, gratitude - being grateful for the wonderful gift you have in your life.

“Because the human brain is not hard wired for happiness or hard wired for positivity.”

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Dr Rowe said he believes contentment and happiness are not things to chase.

“I think contentment is a great word, there's no doubt about it, but I think happiness is not something to chase, it's not something to pursue,” he said.

“I think happiness and feelings of contentment, they sort of come about often when we're getting out of our own heads, when we're using our talents and strengths, when we're helping somebody else, when we're living more in the moment, when we're not doom scrolling on social media consumed by feelings of not matching up, or feelings of negative comparison.”

Dr Rowe said “negative comparison” is such a “downward drag” on feelings of happiness.

He added that happiness is “an inside job” and it “comes down to your habits and your mindset”.

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