Secrets to be happier

Happiness. Shall we start our treasure hunt? After all, how can we be happier? We all want to go in search of happiness and spread it among those close to us. Because happy people make life and the world happier.

What do happy people have in common? How can we become happier without drastic changes in our daily lives? What are the little points that make all the difference? Recently I read a book about Danish happiness and I want to share with you some things I have learned.

Living

Gathering family and friends at the table, in a game night, or in an activity outside the home is one of the key principles to be happier. The human being is sociable. We live from this sharing of knowledge, stories, and experiences. Sharing a meal, whether at home, at a picnic or in a new restaurant, doesn't just feed the physical body. It nurtures friendships, strengthens ties, and nurtures a sense of community. The greater the frequency of meetings with friends and family, the greater the confidence we have to be able to count on others if something goes wrong. And this is one of the pillars of happiness. Trust in the support of others.

Money

There is, in fact, a correlation between money and happiness. As a general rule, in wealthy countries, people are happier. Most of us are ambitious. Once we reach a goal, we soon found another one to get there. We are continually raising the bar for what we want or feel or need to be happy. Being more modest about our hopes makes us happier. Because spending money we don't have to buy things we don't need to impress people we don't like is sad. So if we have to shop, we should try to link them to historical landmarks for us, as a souvenir or a happy experience.

Health

Both health has an impact on happiness and happiness has an impact on health. And it is on this last point that we must address. A more positive attitude, thinking about good things, reduces the levels of stress and cortisol in the body, so it increases the levels of the well-being hormones and, consequently, we feel more relaxed and at ease with life. In addition to changing the mindset to a happier and healthier state of mind, moving more each day helps to balance the body. Going up and downstairs, having a meeting while taking a stroll through the park, or parking in the place furthest from the supermarket entrance are small changes that make all the difference.

Freedom

Does the freedom to choose what to do in life bring us satisfaction or dissatisfaction? According to the report on World Happiness (2012) "one cannot be happy without feeling that one chooses the course of one's life". But one of the main results of our freedom of choice is having time. To do what we like the most. Family, friends, hobbies or simply just doing nothing. Here are five ways to free up more time on a daily basis:

- cook more than necessary (cook a larger dose at the weekend and freeze to have previously prepared meals during the week)

- enjoy free time (take a book to read while waiting for your appointment, listen to podcasts in traffic)

- two in one (go for a run or go out with a friend? we don't have to choose! why not go for a run with our friend?)

- create limits (install an app on the phone to set the maximum daily time we can wander through social networks for example)

- efficiency (make an appointment to start and finish a task and until it is finished doing nothing else)

Confidence

Trust is not visible, it is demonstrated. A high level of trust in society makes people happier. People who trust others are happier. And trust makes life easier. Not needing to write a contract for every small transaction, the bosses don't spend their lives supervising the work of the employees, leaving things on the beach while taking a dip in the care of our towel neighbors, all points that make life more simple. Teaching empathy is a priority for Danish education. Children have classes where they learn social skills (how to work in groups, discuss various subjects), and the value of cooperation.

Kindness

Helping others brings a sense of purpose to life and more inner happiness. Getting to know our neighbors or coworkers better, see if we can help with anything, makes us feel good about ourselves, and increases the level of trust on the part of others in us. So we started to contribute to a happier society. Love breeds love. And happiness breeds happiness. Five acts of kindness you can do this week:

- leave a gift at someone's door

- find out the name of the person you meet every morning and greet them

- make two lunches and offer one

- make a conversation with the shyest person at a party or at the office

- give a genuine compliment to someone (right now, go ahead!)

"Above all, we must find out how we can have a positive impact on our world. In everyone's world. We need more dreamers and doers. We need more creators of goodness, heroes of happiness, and champions of change. As the world goes, there are those who call this false hope - but hope never had anything false." Meik Wiking

Wrote this article based on the book: The little book of Lykke: The Danish Search for the World's Happiest People. By Meik Wiking