INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HAPPINESS
Today is the International Day
of Happiness, proclaimed by the United Nations. Yesterday the ninth World Happiness Report was published. In July 2011 the General UN Assembly
passed a resolution that invited national governments to "give more
importance to happiness and well-being in determining how to achieve and
measure social and economic development." Ever since, professionals
have been working on methods how to determine the happiness of people.
The 2021 Happiness Report had to take
into consideration the global pandemic and its repercussions. Exactly one year
ago Europe went into the first lockdown and life has not been the same since.
The report considered how the measures taken by governments to combat the
Covid-19 virus have influenced happiness. Preparing a report on happiness in
such a time was a challenge.
“Although there were
significant increases in average sadness and worry, we found that overall life
evaluations, and happiness rankings, were surprisingly stable. The top
countries before the pandemic remained the top countries in 2020, so there is
little change in the overall rankings.”[1]
The researches found that the
same six factors supporting well-being (income, health, someone to count on,
freedom, generosity, and trust) were just as vital as before. People had
someone to count on, although the ways of support changed. Trust was shown to
be the key factor linking happiness and COVID-19.
The Official
2021 World Happiness Report Ranking lists Finland, Denmark, Switzerland,
Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Austria as
the 10 happiest countries. But happiness is not a race or something to boast
of. It is so much more important to think of what makes people happy than
concentrating on a country’s happiness ranking.
As I was
doing my happiness research I found a website offering happiness coaching[2].
Among other things it offers a ten-day program where you are encouraged to do
one activity each day that will boost your wellbeing. The
idea is to take action to be happier and kinder, together. They
offer an app that creates a community of people who share their ideas of what
makes you happy.
Of course, we are not
constantly happy. The Covid-19 pandemic brings big challenges for our mental health, whether
you're isolating at home or trying to live with the restrictions. It's ok to not be ok. Many people are
struggling to cope. But you must have someone you trust whom you can tell how
you feel. And if you have no-one nearby then you can call a helpline for a
chat. Do what you can to take time for yourself, eat healthily, get plenty of
sleep and exercise, connect with loved ones and try to notice what’s good. If
necessary, seek professional help.
Ask your doctor to help you find counseling or therapy.
Three ways you can celebrate the International Day of
Happiness:
Do something for your own happiness
- make time to do something you really enjoy, get moving outside, learn
something new or write down three things you’re grateful for.
Do something for someone else -
donate to a food bank or charity, text or call someone to tell them what you
appreciate about them, volunteer in your local community.
Share the International Day Of
Happiness with others and help more people get involved in the day and
thinking about ways to promote happiness and mental health.
Happiness is meant to be shared!
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