Every year, the World Happiness Report ranks countries by their happiness levels. In 2022, residents of 156 countries were asked to rank their lives on a scale from 0 to 10. In addition to the answers for the survey, the World Happiness Report also considers other factors. Namely those around social support, life expectancy, generosity and level of corruption in their lives.
For the fifth year in a row, the #1 happiest country in the world has been Finland. The first year they took that title was in 2018. The top ten happiest countries that year, in order of happiest, were Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland, Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, Sweden, and Australia.
So where did the United States rank? We came in at number eighteen. And that was dropping four spots from number fourteen the previous year. And this was BEFORE the pandemic, inflation and all the things we worry about these days. It’s probably safe to say we’re even more unhappy now. All things considered, it seems we can do some things differently as a country to improve our overall happiness level. Or, if we take a page out of Finland‘s book, it’s more about what we can do as individuals to change our overall mindset.
So, in order to do better, we are turning to Frank Martela for tips. A contributor for cnbc.com and a Finnish psychologist, Martela has a good handle on the psychology behind happiness. In fact, he studies the fundamentals of happiness and has learned a thing or two along the way. Martela is also the author of a book about finding a meaningful existence.
Martela says he’s asked often why the citizens of Finland are so satisfied with their lives. Is it wealth? Fame? Beauty? What exactly makes them so darn happy? Martela gives three tips for happiness…three things that the happiest country in the world never does. –Wendy Rush
1. Don't Compare Yourself To Others
Theodore Roosevelt said “Comparison is the thief of joy”. And it’s so true. When we compare ourselves to others, too often we come out last. It makes no sense to compare ourselves to other people who come from different backgrounds, have different skills and different opportunities in life.
What To Do Instead: Focus More On Happiness And Less On Success
Martela suggests to focus more on what makes you happy than what others think makes you successful. He says to set your own standards for happiness instead of letting someone else do it for you.
2. Don't Underestimate The Benefits Of Nature
Research shows that nature has all kinds of benefits for our well-being. It can reduce stress and anger, improve your physical and mental health, reduce loneliness…the list goes on. Martela says that “according to a 2021 survey, 87% of Finns feel that nature is important to them because it provides them with peace of mind, energy and relaxation” (cnbc.com). And employees in Finland get four weeks of holiday during the summer. Which many use to reconnect to nature.
What To Do Instead: Get Outside!
Martela suggests finding ways to bring nature into your daily life, even if it means buying a few plants for your house or office.
3. Don't Break The Circle Of Trust In Your Community
According to Martela, research shows that the more trust their is between community members, the more happiness is in that community. Which sounds exactly like any relationship! Finnish people hold the value of honesty in high regard and tend to trust each other more than in other countries.
What To Do Instead: Find Ways To "Show Up" For Your Community
Start with little acts of kindness to show your fellow community member that we’re all in this together. Hold doors open, give up your seat on the bus, or just say “excuse me” when you walk in front of someone. Little things matter.
