Celebrating World Happiness Day
March 20 was the International Day of Happiness, created by the United Nations to be “all about happiness,” which seems like an appropriate objective for a day so named. The UN is utilizing this day to emphasize how happiness should be a “fundamental human goal,” which I think we'd all agree is an excellent ambition. On its website, it says, “Governments and international organizations should invest in conditions that support happiness by upholding human rights and incorporating well-being and environmental dimensions into policy frameworks.” Count me in as a supporter.
Using a multi-facet rating system, the Top 10 happiest countries have remained much the same since before COVID-19. Finland is still No. 1, with Denmark now very close in second place, and all five Nordic countries in the Top 10. Larger countries are, overall, less happy than smaller ones with Netherlands and Australia being the only countries in the Top 10 to have populations over 15 million.
The United States has fallen from number 20 to 23, due in part to the divisiveness and political tensions we're experiencing, as well as related concerns about an emerging epidemic of loneliness here in the homeland, and its consequences for mental and physical health.
One area in which the United States bucks the global trends is older Americans (60-plus) tend to be happier than those who are under 30. This pattern bucks international norms where in many more countries, the young are more than 40 points “happier” than the old (mainly in Central and Eastern Europe and Latin America). To put that in perspective, in the United States, it's the exact opposite. Here, older people are more than 50 points happier than younger folks.
It's also not unexpected that people who have more resources tend to be happier than those just trying to get by.
When we dig further into the numbers for the United States, there are some surprising results — at least I would consider them as such. For example, when asked, “Which city in the United States is the happiest?” What would you say? My first thought would be somewhere warm and tropical, along a warm, sunny shoreline. If you thought that too, you'd be wrong.
Currently, the happiest city in the country is — drum roll please — Fremont, California. Who'd a thunk? The city named after a general who helped lead the American Conquest of California from Mexico and then became a U.S. senator, has the lowest separation and divorce rate in the country and the lowest share of adults who report having 14 or more mentally unhealthy days in the past month.
“Honey, forget Hawaii, we're vacationing in Alameda County this year!”
Other California cities landing in the United States Top 20 include San Jose ( No. 3), Irvine ( No. 5), San Francisco ( No. 7),
Huntington Beach (No. 12), Garden Grove (No. 14), and San Diego (No. 15). Per my previous comment about tropical climes, Honolulu was number six, and Pearl City, Hawaii, came in at eight.
This all is well and good as well as interesting break-room conversation, but a more important question is how does one become happier? If you're not older, wealthier and living in the Bay Area of California, is there anything you can do to improve your outlook?
The answer is a definite, “yes” and here are some simple suggestions:
According to Wikihow, there are four main areas in which you can improve your outlook on life:
1) Create a positive mindset. Find reasons to be grateful. Replace negative thoughts with positive self-talk. Compliment yourself regularly. Stop comparing yourself to others
2) Be your best self. Live according to your personal values. Do at least one activity you enjoy each day. Identify what you do well — and do it. Work on improving your weaknesses. Express your emotions. Spend your money on experiences rather than things.
3) Build a support system. Surround yourself with positive people. Connect with others so you feel part of a community. Join a club or organization related to your interests.
4) Care for your mind and body. Get at least seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Exercise 30 minutes a day. Incorporate stress relievers into your day to prevent burnout (such as venting to a friend, engaging in a hobby, journaling or playing with your pet). Take breaks from social media. Get a therapist if you're overwhelmed.
Sure, happiness can be elusive. But, quoting someone I would never associate with being happy, Andy Rooney, “Happiness depends more on how life strikes you than on what happens.” Hmm, maybe Rooney spent time in Fremont?
Scott “Q” Marcus coaches individuals and consults with companies on how to implement and handle change. He can be reached at scottq@scottqmarcus. com or his motivational Facebook page: Intentions Affirmations Manifestations.