Happiness
A sustained evaluation of one's life or circumstances as good — closer to a mood or trait-like state than to Joy's moment-to-moment spike.
How it shows up
Happiness is often less a flash than a backdrop: a sense that one's life, work, and relationships are going reasonably well. It can coexist with bad days and sad moments. Researchers measure it in different ways, as life satisfaction, frequent positive feelings, or a sense of meaning, and the findings depend on which is used. Its steadiness distinguishes it from the moment-to-moment spikes of joy.
How it differs from Joy
Joy is a bright spike in a moment; happiness is a steadier evaluation that life overall is going well.
Notice
Notice what you are weighing when you ask yourself whether you are happy.
Where it is felt
Felt most in the chest, face and whole body.
Based on Nummenmaa et al. (2014), bodily maps of emotions, and related research. The map shows where people report bodily sensation, on average; individual experience varies.