STRONGER TOGETHER: The Long Road to Happiness—Navigating Pleasure and Pain

"STRONGER TOGETHER" is a weekly column where Tanya explores key issues. This week Tanya discusses how embracing pain and choosing long-term happiness over temporary pleasure can lead to lasting wellbeing.

By IMPACT Community Services Managing Director Tanya O'Shea

In life, it’s essential to acknowledge not just the role of pleasure and happiness, but also the experience of pain. Mental and emotional pain is a universal part of life, yet how we respond to it can profoundly affect our overall wellbeing.

Pleasure offers a quick escape from pain. It’s easy to reach for something that feels good in the moment, whether it’s indulging in comfort food, scrolling through social media, or binge-watching a show. These activities offer temporary relief by stimulating the brain's dopamine response, but they don’t address the root causes of pain.

Consider Alison, a young professional who used alcohol to wind down after work. Initially, it eased her stress, but over time, she needed more to achieve the same relief. What started as occasional drinks turned into a nightly habit. The temporary pleasure masked her underlying anxiety, and her mental health declined as deeper issues remained unaddressed. This cycle of short-term pleasure left her disconnected and struggling. Her reliance on alcohol, which provided short-term relief from the discomfort she was feeling, created a devastating cycle, yet left the underlying pain unresolved.

Pain, when faced head-on, can become a catalyst for long-term happiness. Acknowledging the feeling and allowing ourselves to face it rather than trying to numb it, stuff it down or run from it, can open the door to self-reflection and healing.

Happiness is a more lasting antidote to pain. It comes from deeper, more meaningful experiences like connection, growth, and purpose. While happiness doesn’t erase pain, it helps us cope with it in healthier ways. Building strong relationships, for example, can provide support when we’re struggling. Engaging in activities that challenge us, like learning a new skill or pursuing a passion, can help us process pain, turning it into personal growth.

Take Jack, for instance, who found himself stuck in a job he hated. The daily frustration and stress took a toll on his mental health, but rather than ignoring his unhappiness or searching for short-lived relief, he decided to take action and make a change. He returned to school to pursue a career he was passionate about. Though the journey was challenging, and the pain of uncertainty was real, the eventual sense of fulfillment and long-term happiness far outweighed his initial discomfort.

In the end, life isn’t just about avoiding pain or chasing pleasure. Pleasure has its place, but it can’t sustain us. Happiness, built on connection, purpose, and self-awareness, offers a more enduring path through both the highs and lows of life. By embracing pain and choosing happiness over temporary pleasure, we are giving ourselves the best chance to foster lasting wellbeing.