True happiness, or eudaimonia, is about more than relieving symptoms or seeking fleeting pleasures. According to Aristotle, it’s about living a life of purpose, growing through challenges, and connecting with others. Eudaimonia means becoming the best version of yourself by living with virtue, contributing to the community, and pursuing meaningful goals that align with your core values.
Written by: Marcus Shumate, LCAS, LCMHC
Historically, most research in mental health has focused on mental illness. This makes sense: when there is pain, it gets attention. Stub your toe, and it’s hard to focus on anything else. In the same way, we’ve directed much of our energy toward studying the symptoms of mental illness and finding ways to manage or suppress those symptoms.
While managing symptoms is an important part of mental health, it is only one part. When someone is experiencing emotional turmoil, it’s difficult to think about much else. For many, symptom management is an essential first step, particularly when dealing with conditions like anxiety, depression, or trauma. It helps regain a sense of control and offers stability in a chaotic emotional landscape.
But what if mental health is about more than just reducing symptoms? What if symptom relief alone isn’t enough for long-term well-being? What if the true goal isn’t merely alleviating discomfort but pursuing something deeper and more lasting — the pursuit of flourishing?
When we talk about flourishing, we’re not referring to short-term happiness or fleeting pleasures. We mean something more substantial: a sustained sense of well-being, growth, and fulfillment that aligns with our values and purpose. Flourishing is about becoming the best version of ourselves, not in isolation, but in connection with others and the world around us.
This idea isn’t new. It’s found in many classical works of philosophy. Recently, the use of classical philosophy in modern therapy has experienced a resurgence, with Stoic principles now widely applied to help individuals build resilience, manage emotions, and focus on what they can control. It’s a testament to the timelessness of these ancient ideas.
Philosophers from ancient Greece and Rome were deeply concerned with the question, “What is the good life?” Aristotle, perhaps the most dedicated to this pursuit, introduced the term eudaimonia (pronounced yoo-dye-MO-nee-ah), often translated as “human flourishing” or “the good life.” For Aristotle, eudaimonia represented the highest form of happiness — a life lived in accordance with virtue, purpose, and meaningful relationships.
What is Eudaimonia?
Though it is often translated to the word “happiness”, it’s more than a fleeting moment of happiness or pleasure; it represents a life lived in accordance with our highest potential, where we are fully engaged and thriving.
Just as we know what is good for an acorn — the right soil, sunlight, and water — because it leads to the acorn becoming an oak tree, we can also identify what helps humans become flourishing, happy beings. The principles of eudaimonia guide us toward the conditions that allow us to grow into our fullest selves, much as the acorn naturally grows into its mature form. Happiness research, too, reveals these same principles, showing us what leads to long-term well-being and contentment.
In Aristotle’s view, eudaimonia is the goal of human life. It’s not something we attain accidentally or through external rewards; it requires intentional action, continuous growth, and connection with others. To achieve this type of human happiness, we must cultivate both moral and intellectual virtues, engage in meaningful relationships, and contribute to the greater good.
Key Aspects of Eudaimonia:
- Living According to Virtue: At the heart of eudaimonia is the pursuit of virtue — practicing excellence in all areas of life, from honesty and courage to wisdom and kindness. Just as an acorn’s growth is guided by its inherent potential, human flourishing follows the cultivation of virtuous behavior. It’s not about perfection but about striving toward personal growth and moral excellence in everyday actions.
- Engagement with the World: Eudaimonia isn’t achieved in isolation. We flourish through our relationships and contributions to the community. Just as a tree reaches toward the sky, humans reach their full potential when they connect with others and contribute to society. We find purpose and fulfillment not just in ourselves but in the positive impact we have on the world around us.
- Rational Thought and Decision-Making: Aristotle emphasized that to live well, humans must engage their rational minds. Using reason to make decisions, just as an acorn relies on the environment for its growth, is essential for a good life. Rational thinking allows us to make choices that align with our long-term happiness and fulfillment, leading us on a path of intentional growth.
- Achieving Balance: Just as an acorn requires the right balance of sunlight, water, and soil to grow, we must seek out balance in life. Aristotle argued that the good life is one of moderation — not too much of anything, whether it’s work, pleasure, or leisure. Striving for balance in all aspects of life ensures that we do not neglect one area at the expense of others, leading to a more harmonious existence.
- Purpose and Meaning: Unlike fleeting pleasure, true well-being is sustained by a sense of purpose. Just as an acorn’s purpose is to become an oak tree, human beings thrive when they pursue goals that align with their core values. Flourishing is about pursuing meaningful goals, contributing to something larger than oneself, and finding fulfillment through the work that aligns with one’s true nature.
The Role of Relationships in Mental Health
Happiness isn’t found in isolation. It’s not solely about personal success or individual achievement but about fulfilling our potential through relationships, service, and contributing to the common good. Happiness, according to Aristotle, is deeply connected to how we relate to others and the roles we play within our communities. True well-being is achieved not in isolation, but through our engagement with the world and with each other.
If this seems too “out there”, try this exercise. Sit down and spend the next five minutes identifying your top five happiest moments and come back to the article.
Did you find that most if not all we’re experienced in the company of friends, loved ones, or other people? More than likely, the answer is yes. If so, did those times seemingly align when you felt like you were “most happy?” Again, the answer is most likely yes. Besides anecdotes and it just making intuitive sense, there is compelling evidence that friendships matter tremendously for our mental health.
Beyond the Individual: The Limits of Optimization Culture
These ideas sharply contrast with the “optimization” culture we often see online, which prioritizes self-improvement and individual performance above all else. We live in a time where success is frequently defined by personal productivity, mental health “hacks,” and an endless cycle of self-optimization. If you go to your social media feeds right now, there’s a good chance you run into any number of influencers promising a “new system” for better health.
Chances are you’ll find a lot of single shot videos of attractive people showing morning routines that involve meditation, writing, elaborate hygiene and food rituals, etc. These aren’t inherently bad, but you’ll likely notice…most of these rituals are solo in nature. Which doesn’t exactly line up with what we seem to understand about people that are truly happy.
When we focus only on personal optimization, we risk overlooking the vital role that community plays in our mental well-being. Current happiness research underscore that human flourishing is tied to our relationships and our capacity to contribute to the well-being of others. Studies consistently show that meaningful social connections, shared experiences, and being part of a supportive community are far more significant contributors to long-term happiness than personal success or isolated achievements.
In other words, happiness isn’t about becoming your “best self” in isolation. It’s about being part of something greater than yourself — a community, a family, or a cause that aligns with your values and purpose. This is where sustainable mental health lies. It’s not just about symptom relief or managing challenges; it’s about cultivating a sense of belonging, connection, and mutual care. Flourishing happens when we embrace the collective, when we engage in and contribute to something beyond our own personal gain.
Practical Tips for Happiness
So, how do we take this philosophical approach and apply it to our everyday lives? Here are a few practical tips for fostering the sort of happiness of being and moving beyond just symptom management:
- Build Real Relationships: Take time to invest in relationships that nurture your emotional and mental well-being. This means spending quality time with loved ones, checking in on friends, and participating in social activities that foster connection. Try this, call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while and invite them to meet up for coffee or a meal. Take notice of how you felt before and after. You’ll probably notice that you feel better after.
- Be of Service to Others: One of the quickest ways to boost your own happiness is by helping others. Volunteer, mentor, or simply be present for someone in need. Serving others fosters a sense of purpose and strengthens community bonds.
- Engage in Shared Activities: Shared experiences, such as participating in group workout classes (CrossFit, yoga, martial arts, etc.), joining recreational sports leagues, volunteering together, or collaborating on a community project, help foster meaningful connections.
- Return to the Basics: It’s easy to overlook the simple, grounding practices that nurture well-being. Spend time outdoors, practice mindfulness, and find peace in the everyday moments that connect you to your environment and those around you.
- Expand the Scope of Mental Health Support: While therapy is an essential part of mental health care, it’s important to remember that flourishing goes beyond the therapist’s office. It’s about creating a supportive environment, building strong relationships, and engaging in activities that promote emotional and mental well-being in all areas of life.
Mental Health Beyond the Therapist’s Office
Therapy is a valuable tool for personal growth and healing, but it’s not the only avenue to mental health and well-being. While symptom management provides important relief, true flourishing— lasting happiness and fulfillment — is about much more. It’s about engaging with others, contributing to a shared purpose, and connecting with the community. We must challenge the idea that mental health and happiness are confined to therapy sessions. Flourishing happens in our everyday lives, in the moments we spend with others, in our shared experiences, and in our service to the common good.
In the end, true happiness — the kind that Aristotle spoke about — is not about optimizing yourself in isolation. It’s about living a life that’s connected, meaningful, and full of purpose. And in this pursuit of eudaimonia, we move beyond managing symptoms and start embracing a higher, richer form of well-being.
