According to the World Happiness Report 2024, the U.S. ranks as the 23rd happiest country in the world, with a happiness index of 6.73. The Nordic countries, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland, hold the top three positions, with indexes ranging from 7.53 to 7.74.
Measuring happiness is complex. The authors of this report–a partnership of consulting firm Gallup and the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre–rely on three key indicators: life evaluations, positive emotions, and negative emotions.
Even if you accept these indicators as valid, assessing people’s happiness is challenging due to their subjective nature. Responding to questions like “Are you happy?” or “How happy are you?” can be difficult. However, there are strategies that can help you evaluate your own happiness.
While writing his book The Blue Zones Solution: Eating and Living Like the World’s Healthiest People, longevity expert Dan Buettner talked to Dan Witters, a consultant for Gallup’s National Health and Well-Being Index and an expert in happiness studies.
More recently, Buettner published an article discussing 15 affirmations suggested by Witters that could help you answer the difficult question of happiness. According to Buttener, if you identify with statements like “You eat healthy every day” and “You learn something new or interesting each day,” it suggests you are happy, or at least happier than most people.
These statements are also practical tips to help you get closer to happiness.
Although Buttener’s affirmations are varied, they can be categorized into several key areas, including finances, healthy living, and community involvement.
The longevity expert starts with the following statement: “You manage your finances well and live within your means. You have enough money to do everything you want to do.” In other words, while money itself doesn’t guarantee happiness, it’s an essential component of it.
A lack of financial resources can lead to significant stressors such as mortgages, inflation, and unemployment. However, when you have sufficient resources, these issues pose less of a threat to your overall happiness. Additionally, money can provide access to activities and experiences that enhance your happiness, such as hobbies, travel, and exercise.
On a broader scale, the World Happiness Report indicates that the happiest countries tend to be those with the highest per capita income. This pattern is particularly evident among the Nordic countries but also includes the U.S., Canada, several European nations, and other high-income countries. There are exceptions, like Costa Rica (ranked 12th) and Mexico (ranked 25th). In contrast, countries such as Sierra Leone, Lesotho, Lebanon, and Afghanistan struggle with both poverty and, in some cases, armed conflict, which significantly impacts their happiness levels.
It’s Not Just About Money
The second category focuses on your productivity. This includes statements such as “You set and reach goals on an ongoing basis,” “You use your strengths to do what you do best every day,” “You learn something new or interesting every day,” and “You are active and productive every day.”
Achieving your goals can enhance your happiness and provide a sense of fulfillment. The human brain has evolved to reward us for learning new things by releasing dopamine, a hormone associated with well-being and happiness. However, productivity can be a double-edged sword. Becoming overly obsessed with being productive can lead to frustration and, in turn, a decrease in happiness.
The third category is the sense of belonging and community. It includes statements such as “You always make time for trips or vacations with family and friends,” “You feel safe and secure in your community,” and “In the last 12 months, you have received recognition for helping to improve the city or area where you live.”
Your environment plays a crucial role in your happiness. Loneliness poses a significant threat to your health and well-being, and it’s become a growing issue that some refer to as a “loneliness epidemic.” However, this epidemic doesn’t affect everyone equally.
Buttener’s next statement straddles the third and fourth categories: “You have someone in your life who encourages you to be healthy.”
Meanwhile, the fourth key area focuses on health and includes six additional statements: “You eat healthy every day,” “You eat five servings of fruits and vegetables at least four days every week,” “You get to the dentist at least once per year,” “You don’t smoke,” “You are of a normal, healthy weight,” and “You exercise for at least 30 minutes at least three days per week.”
It may seem redundant to mention the need to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables daily after discussing eating healthy every day. Additionally, these recommendations are often not as demanding as those suggested by nutritional guidelines, which typically recommend a higher weekly intake. The reference to “normal, healthy weight” is particularly noteworthy. Being overweight is a known risk factor for several diseases while being underweight presents its own health risks. Overall, a healthy diet and an active lifestyle are crucial factors that directly influence your well-being and quality of life, along with your weight.
Image | Constantin Panagopoulos
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