THE POWER OF HAPPINESS

The smell of my kids’ hair, a snuggle with them, my husband and our shih-tzu dog where we all try to out-squeeze each other, a vase of freshly cut white lilies, holding the first copy of Friday to come off the presses each week, and a Diptyque candle on the edge of my bath. These are the things that make me happy. They might not be free (those school fees, vet’s bill and flowers don’t come cheap!) but they are priceless. When I was young I probably would have said a million dollars would be the route to happiness, but now I’d pick health over wealth any day. I’m not the only one – in fact being paid can actually be counter-productive.

In an experiment, people who wanted to give blood were divided into two groups – the first were told they could do it for free, and the second that they would be paid. Guess which group had the most volunteers? The altruistic group, of course! The financial reward being offered to the second group actually put off people donating their blood.

But there are distinct economic advantages to being happy – and smiling workers can lead to businesses laughing all the way to the bank. Keep the staff happy and they will be more productive, healthier, innovative, and loyal.

We’re lucky that the UAE takes happiness seriously. In the 2015 World Happiness Report we ranked a respectable 20 out of 158 countries surveyed. The UAE was given a special mention for ‘the extent to which happiness and well-being have been central tenets of the design and delivery of the National Agenda to be the happiest of all nations.’

And as today is World Smile Day we’ve packed the issue with features on how to keep your children’s teeth looking perfect, the caring clowns who help lift sick kids’ spirits in hospitals, happy cafés and the power of happiness. That should give you something to smile about! Until next week,

We are LUCKY that the UAE takes HAPPINESS SERIOUSLY. In the 2015 WORLD HAPPINESS REPORT we RANKED a RESPECTABLE 20 out of 158 COUNTRIES SURVEYED