In Pursuit of Happiness

Happiness may be many things to different people, and the path to happiness is often subjective. Joy can be found in even the smallest things. These moments brighten our day, and looking for as many as possible is a subjective approach to happiness, finding the things that make you smile and cause your heart to beat faster. These bite-sized morsels of happiness can be joyous and fun, but for a deeper sense of well-being, there are universal factors that can help us share the love.

The World Happiness report have been looking into the recipe for well-being and have identified universal factors that lead to national happiness. One of the best ways to be happy is to surround yourself with people you love, friends and relatives in a strong community and another is to be generous. Countries that place a high emphasis on social relationships tend to be happier places to live.

“One of the strongest predictors of well-being is the quality of an individual's social relationships. In fact, when individuals are made to experience social isolation, many of the brain regions become active that are active in the experience of physical pain.”

Denmark often tops the global charts, and it is not surprising to find that, as a society, Denmark has a high level of social cohesion. They have low income inequality and express high levels of generosity through volunteering. Scientific Studies have shown that generosity has a large impact on happiness. In fact, when people recall giving a gift, the part of the brain that relates to happiness is far more active than when they recall receiving one, scientific proof of the old saying 'it's better to give than to receive'.

The Danes recognise that happiness is not simply about one's own pursuit of happiness but a quest for collective happiness where generosity, trust and social relationships are more important than what you own. Although one of the darkest countries on the planet, the Danes make a concerted effort to live well by appreciating the simple things in life, and they have a specific word for it: Hygge (pronounced hue-gah). Even the sound of it makes you want to snuggle up. Hygge is commonly translated as 'cosy', which involves pulling the curtains, lighting candles, and indulging in good coffee and food with special friends. But Hygge is also about creating those intimate moments with family and friends and the comfort and security that it brings. Hygge can also be a bike ride with friends in the fresh air, the simple pleasures in life that lead to a healthier and happier life.

“Individuals asked to recall a purchase they made for another person were happier immediately following the memory and were subsequently more likely to spend money on another person. This type of behaviour could result in a feedback loop, where pro-social behaviour increases well-being, which then results in more pro-social behaviour.”

Another Scandinavian country that often tops the global happiness charts is a cold, dark nation that suffered a severe economic downturn in 2008. Despite the long nights, very few Icelandic people suffer from seasonally affected disorders, and they have one of the highest life expectancy rates in the world. A healthy lifestyle is a contributing factor to happiness, and their high intake of omega-3 oils, fresh fish, and well-fed livestock all contributes to their good physical and mental health. Their landscape is breathtaking and they look after it, low pollution also yields healthier food. Not only do they feed the body, but they also nourish the mind and soul, and are vicarious readers. They read more books per capita than any other country in the world, and a quarter of their population works in the arts.

What they, like the Danish embrace is a positive way of living, a way that embodies the concept that happy people belong to a happy society. Happiness is not keeping up with the Jones' but inviting them round for a simple supper, lighting some candles and chatting about the little things and the bigger things that matter. It's about feeling supported when times are hard and being generous when these hard times hit others. By giving a well-chosen gift or a simple card containing a heartfelt message, for example, we are telling people we know what they like and what they need because we listen and care. A little bit of Hygge or a bear hug - the little things are signs of something far greater and get us through the bad times. Universally, these things make us happier.