Happiness is an emotional state that is both elusive and subjective. For someone, a quiet day and lots of ‘me-time’ can be intensely satisfying, while for another, partying and night outs with friends and family is happiness and bliss.
Amid this, World Happiness Report 2023 was released. Interestingly, Finland emerged as the happiest country in the world for the sixth time. Followed by Denmark, Iceland, Israel, and Netherlands. While Afghanistan and Lebanon remained the unhappiest countries in the survey.
Besides, the report also highlighted that people across the globe are experiencing help, support, and kindness from each other. Not just this, but crises have not made us stone-hearted but more willing to help each other.
Based on this analysis, we asked our reviewer and certified psychiatrist of ThePleasantPersonality, Dr. Nereida Gonzalez-Berrios, MD to list the happiest and unhappiest MBTI personality types
So, let’s explore what she has to say.
Happiest MBTI Personality Types
When understanding the relationship between personality types and happiness, certain personality types are happier than others.
But it doesn’t mean that other types always appear sad and gloomy and never feel joyous and happy in their lives. Perhaps it also does not mean that the so-called ‘happy’ types have never gone through sadness and despair.
Thus, each of us will have a different understanding of being happy depending upon certain key personality traits and our life situation.
Personality researchers have shown that extrovert personality types appear happier, more vibrant, and more lively in their daily lives than those who prefer to enjoy life in quiet ways. The simple explanation is that extrovert types are sociable and prefer to stay in tune with the outside world.
They live easily and gracefully and know how to take things easy. On the other hand, the extrovert types are generally flexible and engage their head and heart in fun activities. They are cheerful and driven by pleasure and satisfaction in life.
The 16 personality types, as described in Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), also have their share of happiness and gloom. However, some personality types appear more cheerful and happy than others— a close look at the Myers Briggs extrovert types, which are always happy and cheerful.
The reason is that these personalities possess strong feeling functions. It means they are kind, warm-hearted, affectionate, and live life as it happens.
Moreover, ESFP and ESFJ are sensing types. This means they prefer to live in the present moment and know how to meet daily challenges without overthinking and frustration gracefully.
People who do not overthink their future life and know how to live in the moment are usually satisfied and happy. They have fewer regrets, no resentments, and minimal anger to live with.
Unhappiest MBTI personality types
Research suggests that overthinking can lower the happiness quotient by destroying the person’s ability to take things easy and live in the moment. Too much thinking also means too many anxious moments that undoubtedly lower the person’s ability to experience happiness.
Therefore, we can conclude that the following personality types are the least happy and will have problems accepting life as it is:
Their overthinking and critical minds can make them ponder issues that are unworthy of a thought. Moreover, these types are intuitive thinking in nature. Therefore, they will tend to think more about the future, which can lower their happiness and satisfaction levels.
Their minds are filled with tension about what will happen if things do not work out as expected or if they suffer setbacks that are hard to deal with. As a result, these Myers-Briggs types with thinking-intuitive traits tend to be less flexible.
They take things seriously, much more than what is needed. But, unfortunately, this again lowers their ability to stay happy and blissful in life.
Some additional inputs about MBTI Personality Types
Another notable fact is that the Myers-Briggs Introvert types with strong feeling functions are cheerful and happy. ISFPs and ISFJs are comfortable in their skin. They are affectionate, kind, flexible, and open to varied experiences.
They are satisfied with the way life unfolds for them and tends to remain uncomplicated and malleable always. These personalities prefer to experience happiness and peace deep inside. They hate confrontations and always follow the path of peace and harmony.
So, happiness resides within them.
Summing Up
To wind up, the happiest personality types are those who are easygoing and know how to live life to the fullest.
They are less complaining and prefer to enjoy the ‘here and now.’ These happy types are also kind and considerate, remain open to the opinions of others, and like to stay far away from overthinking and magnifying things in life.
Contrary to this, the unhappy personality types are less flexible and open-minded. They tend to look for future possibilities that rob their present-day peace and happiness.
These personality types never create fond memories in their present moments and remain confined in anticipating the worst if it ever happens. Their wandering mind is never at rest, and it is enough to make them feel unhappy, moody, and sulky as always.
