The Day of Happiness

Today, March 20th,has been designated the United Nations International Day of Happiness. According to the founder of Action for Happiness, “Happiness means feeling good about our lives and wanting to go on feeling that way.  Unhappiness means feeling bad and wanting things to change.”

Costa Rica has been ranked the happiest country on earth for several years in a row. What better day than today to explore what makes Costa Ricans so happy and what factors in general have the ability to make people happier.

Costa Rica is a country with beautiful ocean vistas and incredible biodiversity.  It has been an ecological pioneer, aiming to create a small ecological footprint.  Costa Rican’s have the joy of exploring gorgeous beaches on both sides of the country, and possess the ability to step outside their door to gaze upon beautiful mountain vistas.  Their emphasis on preserving this natural beauty has also boosted its economy, creating more jobs and opportunities.  And with no standing army, more money has been redirected to education (Costa Rica has a 96% literacy rate, the highest of any Latin American country).  Costa Ricans also find joy in the company of friends and family, placing a strong emphasis on loved ones over social capital and financial gains. Perhaps it’s these factors that contribute to Costa Rica’s unofficial slogan, Pura Vida, pure life.

We all want to live happy, fulfilling lives and want the same for our loved ones.  Many different factors can influence happiness:  genes and upbringing, external circumstances, but we can also influence our own happiness by our own choices, personal values and our sense of purpose.   Some people think that success is the key to happiness.  But recent psychological studies show that this is not the case.  Instead, its said that happiness fuels success, rather than the other way around.  When we are positive we become motivated, creative and productive.

One form of the success many people seek is financial. The idea that money can’t buy happiness has been around a long time, but that’s not to say there is no connection between income and happiness.  People with a comfortable living standard are happier than people living in poverty. “Comfortable standard” varies across countries. However, once we reach that standard, anything beyond that does not bring additional happiness.  Buying more things for ourselves- fancy cars or designer clothing, are not effective in turning money into happiness.   Instead, studies show that if you spend on yourself, you should buy experiences, not things.  An evening out with friends, a family trip to the beach will apparently make you happier in the long run than a new designer watch.   Also, the study shows, we should focus on buying for others.  This means indulging less in ourselves and giving others the opportunity to indulge.

Below we have outlined the Action for Happiness 10 keys to happier living. While in Costa Rica we are the happiest people in the world there is always room for growth and ways to make our lives and the lives of others a little sweeter.

Action for Happiness 10 keys to happier living

• Do things for others
• Connect with people
• Take care of your body
• Notice the world around you
• Keep learning new things
• Have goals to look forward to
• Find ways to bounce back
• Take a positive approach
• Be comfortable with who you are
• Be part of something bigger