The United Nations proclaimed March 20 as the International Day of Happiness to emphasize the importance of well-being in people’s lives. Today is a day to celebrate joy and focus on ways to enhance our happiness. As people aroung the world today looking for ways to cheer up, we have some good news: Finland still holds the title of the world’s happiest country for the sixth year in a row, according to the World Happiness Report rankings.
The rankings are based primarily on life evaluations obtained from the Gallup World Poll. Finland and its neighbours Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and Norway all score very well on the parameters used to explain the report’s findings, such as healthy life expectancy, GDP per capita, social support, low corruption, generosity, and freedom to make key decisions.
Despite the fact that most of the countries in the top 20 remain unchanged this year, the latest rankings boast a new entrant: Lithuania, which climbed steadily over six years from 52nd to 20th place. Estonia (No. 31) and Latvia (No. 41) have risen through the ranks, too. This could be due to the normalization of post-1990 transitions and a growing sense of security in their new identities.
However, countries such as Afghanistan (No. 137) and Lebanon (No. 136) have life evaluations that are more than five points lower than those of the 10 happiest nations. Russia is ranked 70th and Ukraine is ranked 92nd.
How the world’s happiest nations can inspire us all?
According to the report’s authors, the happiness of a society is determined not only by individual factors like income, support, and health but also by the well-being of all of its members. The objective of every institution should be to work towards human well-being, which includes accounting for future generations and protecting fundamental human rights.
People around the world can learn from the findings of the rankings. Finland’s achievement can inspire policymakers and leaders in other nations to focus on building a holistic society, one that takes care of all its members and ensures their happiness.
Simple Habit and Calm, two apps that can boost your happiness
On this International Day of Happiness, we’ve rounded up some apps and gadgets to help boost your well-being. Simple Habit: Meditation is an app that provides quick, guided meditations that you can do anywhere, anytime, even if you’re pressed for time.
Meditation is one of the best ways to increase contentment and reduce stress. Taking only a few minutes to focus on your breathing and ease your mind can help you feel more relaxed and at ease. Simple Habit’s meditations are as brief as five minutes, making it simple to fit them into your busy schedule.
Calm- Sleep, Meditation, Relaxation is another app that can help you relax and enhance your sleep quality. It can be challenging to feel happy when we are stressed or anxious. But with Calm, you can take a few minutes to breathe deeply, focus on your thoughts, and calm your mind. The app offers guided meditations that can help you feel more peaceful. You can also use Calm to improve your sleep quality by listening to soothing sounds or bedtime stories.
It’s crucial to take some time to concentrate on your happiness on this International Day of Happiness, whether it’s practicing meditation, using well-being apps, or simply reflecting on the things that bring you joy. Let these findings remind us of the importance of focusing on the well-being of ourselves and those around us to create a happier and healthier world.