Prioritize the "macronutrients of happiness" when taking care of your well-being, advises a Harvard expert.

For decades, social scientist Arthur C. Brooks, who teaches a happiness course at Harvard University, has been searching for the answers about what it means to be happy and has arrived at some conclusions.

In their recent book with Oprah Winfrey, Brooks and Winfrey emphasize that the goal in life should not be to attain happiness, but to constantly strive for "happierness."

"According to Brooks, happiness is not just about saying 'Go get happier.' Instead, it involves examining the specific components that contribute to happiness."

He can quickly determine if someone's diet is lacking in macronutrients of happiness and we can work on the subdimensions, he stated.

According to Brooks, the three macronutrients of happiness and how to optimize them in your life are:

The 3 'macronutrients of happiness'

1. Enjoyment
2. Satisfaction
3. Purpose

According to Brooks, the happiest people derive satisfaction from their activities and have a sense of purpose in life. He referred to this as the "protein, carbohydrates and fat of happiness."

Enjoyment

According to Brooks, people commonly believe that enjoyment equals pleasure, but this perspective is incorrect. He stated that if one's life revolves around seeking only pleasurable experiences, it leads to an unfulfilling existence.

"To enhance the human experience of pleasure, we should not eliminate its sources but rather incorporate two additional elements."

According to Brooks, adding people and memory to a source of pleasure can enhance the experience of enjoyment, leading to authentic and enduring happiness.

He suggested engaging in social activities like going out for drinks or watching funny videos on social media with people you enjoy spending time with, rather than enjoying solo experiences like reading a book, meditating, or listening to music.

Satisfaction

"According to Brooks, satisfaction is the reward that comes after struggling for something. Humans need to struggle, strive, sacrifice, and even endure pain in order to achieve something."

He stated that when you believe something you possess is something you've earned, it becomes more valuable to you in the end.

People's lack of happiness stems from not enjoying their meals because they're always full.

He explained that his students at Harvard would not be as satisfied with acing a test if they cheated, compared to if they worked hard to study for the exam, emphasizing the importance of deferring gratification for real rewards.

Purpose

According to Brooks, experiencing a sense of purpose in life is the most crucial among the three "macronutrients."

Brooks said that there are three sub-parts to meaning:

• Coherence: Why do things happen the way they do?
• What are my goals and how am I moving towards achieving them?
• Significance: Why does it matter that I am alive?

According to Brooks, there are no right answers to these questions because they are subjective and vary from person to person. However, failing to answer these questions is not a failure, but rather a good outcome as it allows you to identify what to look for.

Finding your purpose requires a significant amount of effort, he emphasized, but it's crucial to consider it and have a clear sense of direction.

Sign up for CNBC's online course on earning passive income online to discover various passive income streams, tips to get started, and real-life success stories. Register now and save 50% with the discount code EARLYBIRD.

Sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to receive expert advice on work, money, and life.