There is a lot of speculation on the part of marketing and business people about what will make us happy. They want our business! So they want to make us happy!

I learned very long ago, as you probably have, that Madison Avenue has tried to teach us what we want and what we need to make us happy. It doesn’t take very much study of our TV commercials, online ads and print advertising, nor it doesn’t take a science degree, to see that “happiness” is being defined for us in that advertising. And it usually involves buying some product or service.

Therefore, a lot of sustainability education focuses on being happy with fewer material goods and services that are very expensive to the Earth. These are the goods and services that eat up a lot of natural resources, either in their construction or in their delivery to us across thousands of miles which eats up fossil fuels and adds to our carbon emissions. If we could only learn to live without those items to save the Earth.

“Oh no!” is often the response. “I can’t give up that!” — whatever “that” is this week. So, being sustainable seems to equal a life of deprivation, gloom and nerdiness.

This is not true. In the last few years, a lot more scientific research is being done about what truly makes humans happy, and not surprisingly, it is NOT the newest gadgets, appliances, cars, drugs, cool clothes, or anything else that is being advertised. According to research, the kinds of things that make us happy, are sustainable for Earth too.

Savor the little everyday events that make life rich and meaningful. This is the real life version of “stopping to smell the roses,” and every other flowering bush. Watch some kids playing, or watch the sun setting. Today, I watched the rain and hail coming down like crazy; it was amazing. Take a mental break and savor the beautiful things around you.

Give up on the Joneses

When we stop comparing ourselves to others who have so much more than we do (we think), we are happier with what we have. We get a lot of this kind of enticement from friends, on Facebook, and even in those ads we were talking about. It looks blissful to be on the beach in Hawaii or basking in the sun at spring training, but it doesn’t make us happy to dwell on what we are not doing or can’t do. Mute them all!

Give less priority to money, whether it’s getting it or spending it.

Research shows that people are more prone to depression and low self-esteem if they make acquiring money a high priority in their lives. Also, satisfaction gleaned from acquiring material goods with our money is very fleeting and short-lived. Acquiring material goods is never helpful for Earth anyway.

Friends and family are a high priority for happy people. This is a key ingredient for building strong, sustainable communities — people with deep, supportive relationships. Learning to care deeply for our neighbors and families will lead us to put the community first.

Smile a lot and say thanks! The more you smile, even when you don’t feel like it, the more positive you will be. Happy people see the possibilities and opportunities, and find the humor in everyday life. And when they are not smiling, they are saying thanks. Showing gratitude to your friends and family will remind you of how fortunate you are. Take some time to thank Earth, too, for all she does for you every day.

Exercise and fresh air have all sorts of benefits. They keep you fit, so you stay well and spend less on drugs, which is good for Earth. Science shows that exercise is also just as effective as drugs when it comes to avoiding depression, boosting self-esteem, and feeling a sense of accomplishment.

Becoming a giver — being generous with your time and resources — will make you happier. Thoughtfully and intentionally giving donations of money, volunteering at places like Stillwaters, or just helping out your neighbor all give you a “helper’s high” and more health benefits than exercising or quitting smoking. Research shows that people who spend money on others or donate to good causes report much greater happiness than those who spend their money on themselves.

All of these add up to the secret of being happy — ignore the ads, think positively, and put Earth and your fellow humans first. You will be sustainably happy. Happy Earth Day!

Stillwaters will be hosting a new Sustainability Discussion Group in the future. If you are interested in getting on the notification list, call us at 360-297-1226.

— Naomi Maasberg is director of Stillwaters Environmental Learning Center. Contact her at  naomi@stillwatersenvironmentalcenter.org.

Information from Yes! Magazine and Stillwaters Environmental Center was used in this column.