Height is measured in metres. Weight, kilograms. Designer bags with a cost-per-wear equation. However, if you’ve ever wondered what kind of calculator to whip out when it comes to how happy you are, then Physician-Scientist Dr. Alphonsus Obayuwana may have just found the precise personal happiness formula …
Metres, kilograms and PHI
In his new book, The Happiness Formula, Dr. Obayuwana goes beyond the typical self-help advice and presents a scientific approach to achieving and maintaining happiness. The book aims to teach readers how to incorporate a structured routine that fosters true contentment and well-being.
The Personal Happiness Index is the result of decades of research into the fundamental elements of happiness. According to Dr. Obayuwana, happiness isn’t just about fleeting moments of joy, but about a person’s overall satisfaction with life, rooted in a strong sense of hope and purpose. The PHI offers a simple yet profound five-minute tool that can calculate an individual’s happiness score based on these factors. What sets this apart from other happiness tools is its universality – whether you’re a CEO or a student, this formula applies to everyone.
The origins of this concept date back to 1982 when Dr. Obayuwana developed the Hope Index Scale (HIS) to measure human hope, an essential component of happiness. Major corporations like Coca-Cola, General Motors, and even the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs adopted the HIS due to its success. Dr. Obayuwana now offers the PHI, a tool specifically designed to measure happiness – a concept that has intrigued people for centuries but is rarely explored with such scientific rigour.
A holistic approach to happiness
Unlike many other self-help books filled with vague advice and empty promises, The Happiness Formula provides a practical structure to help people not only measure but also improve their happiness. Dr. Obayuwana explores the relationship between hope and happiness, proposing that true happiness deeply connects to a person’s sense of purpose and hope for the future.
This book is not just for individuals seeking happiness for themselves; it’s also a valuable resource for professionals in roles centred around well-being, such as life coaches, policymakers, and researchers. Dr. Obayuwana aims to set a standard for happiness coaching, an area that has lacked formal guidelines until now.
Dr. Obayuwana’s work also explores fascinating societal questions, like why children tend to be happier than adults and how events like the COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread unhappiness. These insights add depth to his scientific approach, making The Happiness Formula not just a guide for personal growth, but a thought-provoking exploration of human emotions.
The Triple-H equation
At the heart of The Happiness Formula is Dr. Obayuwana’s Triple-H Equation, which combines hope, hunger for personal growth, and happiness. After years of research and teaching at prestigious institutions like Johns Hopkins and Ohio University, Dr. Obayuwana has refined his methods to help people understand and maximise these core elements.
The formula isn’t just about achieving short-term happiness, but about sustaining it over a lifetime. Whether you’re facing personal challenges or simply looking to enhance your daily satisfaction, this book provides the tools to create a long-term happiness routine.
With the release of The Happiness Formula in March 2024, Dr. Obayuwana offers readers a scientifically grounded, practical approach to happiness. Whether you’re a happiness coach looking for a theoretical foundation or someone on a personal quest for contentment, this book provides actionable steps and insights that can transform your outlook on life.
This story was originally published on The Carousel.
