How would you define happiness? If somebody asks you today, are you happy, what would you say? If you say 'yes', how would you quantify that happiness and assess it? Is it because of your vocation? or maybe you have fallen in love? Is happiness comprised of just one factor? Or are there several factors intertwined together leading to this emotion? Martin Seligman, a prominent psychologist, while talking about happiness and well-being, coined 'PERMA' model conceptualizing five building blocks of happiness, which are explained as :

• Positive Emotions (P): Experiencing positive emotions is crucial for feeling happy. Positive emotions enhance our performance, strengthen relationships, improve our physical health, and help us unlock our true potential and creativity. What is it that makes you feel good? It can be hitting the gym, taking a walk with your pet, going out with friends, etc.
• Engagement (E): Have you come across people so fully engaged in what they are doing that they don't even seem to hear what you are saying? They are in a state of blissful immersion in the present moment, free from all worries about the past and future. To identify such activities leading to this state of 'flow', it is suggested to identify our strengths and then engage in activities involving these strengths. Mindfulness is one such exercise employed by psychologists. 
• Relationships (R): We are social beings and there is an innate need among us all for love, physical connection, and emotional connection. Seligman states that having fulfilling and healthy relationships makes life worth living.
• Meaning (M): Numerous studies have demonstrated that people who live meaningful lives are happier, more satisfied in life and can bounce back from setbacks. Research has established that a vast majority of people derive meaning by indulging in pro-social activities, and social service, and by experiencing love and beauty. 
• Accomplishment (A): What are your goals and objectives? Setting realistic and achievable goals and taking small steps towards their fulfillment is an integral source of motivation and confidence. 

Having discussed the PERMA model, it is time to engage in a fun insightful exercise. Take a sheet of paper and draw a large circle. Draw 10 concentric circles inside the large circle and number them from 1 to 10, with the innermost circle numbered as 1. Now, divide the circle into 5 parts and name each part as a component of PERMA. Now, for each part, think of daily life activities corresponding to PERMA factors. Think of activities that give you pleasure, that put you in a state of flow, and provide meaning and a sense of achievement. Think of meaningful relationships you have in life. Try to fill each part of circle to the brim. Also, if you are lacking in any area, think of new activities that can be incorporated into your daily life.