by Pennie Sempell
I visited the Himalayan country of Bhutan quite a few years ago. A progressive step taken in Bhutan decades ago is the measuring of its people’s happiness. They took the lead in what is now a growing interest in studying Gross National Happiness.
The first United Nations “World Happiness Report” measured people’s self-reported satisfaction with their lives. So what are the happiest countries? Depending on what questions are asked in different studies, the order may change, but Northern European countries (including Denmark, Finland, Norway and Iceland), Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, consistently rank among the happiest and most satisfied nations. United States ranked 10th in the UN study. USA came in 25th in the World Values Survey.
From this list, we can see that “warm and tropical year round” versus “long and cold winters” has little, if anything, to do with happiness. Other factors, both external and internal, play into happiness.
The goal for governments to study happiness presumably is to see where policy can have a positive impact on well-being. Income equality, education, medical care and safety play large roles in the happiness of citizens. Once certain basic needs are met, the playing field levels out considerably when it comes to happiness.
There are many internal factors that, as individuals, we can influence which affect our feeling of satisfaction with our lives. For example, feeling our life has purpose, performing good deeds and cultivating self-compassion boost happiness. Working out improves one’s state of mind in part by burning cortisol (a by-product of negative emotions) and releasing endorphins (natural pain relievers). Being involved with friends and family is also correlated with happiness.
Young children and adults can readily learn life skills that support happiness in life. Parents and educators have a significant role in helping children learn how to self-manage, cope, communicate and make good decisions that impact well-being.
Pennie Sempell is an integrative health therapist and wellness educator who works with children and adults of all ages and needs. Pennie has taught preschool in Washington, D.C. and California, and directed an aquatic fitness program for children. She has earned numerous professional certifications in mediation and peer counseling, research-based mind-body therapies, and traditional healing art therapies.
Visit her new site for FREE resources: www.healthierhappierlife.com
I visited the Himalayan country of Bhutan quite a few years ago. A progressive step taken in Bhutan decades ago is the measuring of its people’s happiness. They took the lead in what is now a growing interest in studying Gross National Happiness.
The first United Nations “World Happiness Report” measured people’s self-reported satisfaction with their lives. So what are the happiest countries? Depending on what questions are asked in different studies, the order may change, but Northern European countries (including Denmark, Finland, Norway and Iceland), Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, consistently rank among the happiest and most satisfied nations. United States ranked 10th in the UN study. USA came in 25th in the World Values Survey.
From this list, we can see that “warm and tropical year round” versus “long and cold winters” has little, if anything, to do with happiness. Other factors, both external and internal, play into happiness.
The goal for governments to study happiness presumably is to see where policy can have a positive impact on well-being. Income equality, education, medical care and safety play large roles in the happiness of citizens. Once certain basic needs are met, the playing field levels out considerably when it comes to happiness.
There are many internal factors that, as individuals, we can influence which affect our feeling of satisfaction with our lives. For example, feeling our life has purpose, performing good deeds and cultivating self-compassion boost happiness. Working out improves one’s state of mind in part by burning cortisol (a by-product of negative emotions) and releasing endorphins (natural pain relievers). Being involved with friends and family is also correlated with happiness.
Young children and adults can readily learn life skills that support happiness in life. Parents and educators have a significant role in helping children learn how to self-manage, cope, communicate and make good decisions that impact well-being.
Pennie Sempell is an integrative health therapist and wellness educator who works with children and adults of all ages and needs. Pennie has taught preschool in Washington, D.C. and California, and directed an aquatic fitness program for children. She has earned numerous professional certifications in mediation and peer counseling, research-based mind-body therapies, and traditional healing art therapies.
Visit her new site for FREE resources: www.healthierhappierlife.com
