First and foremost, “the happiness report is based on countries with six key variables that support well-being: income, freedom, trust, healthy life expectancy, social support, and generosity.” Starting with social support, Denmark and Finland receive free health care, tax money goes into equal access to services for all which has fewer health issues involved and it seems to be working for them. They don’t have as much of a high income as the United States, but their housing is much lower than the U.S. Not having to work so many hours a week. Working to live, not living to work. Giving them the freedom to relax and make time for the things that matter the most to both the Danes and the Finnish.
This technique I have found to be the most beneficial in certain circumstances, a curiosity that stemmed and bloomed like a sunflower bathing under the UV rays, I felt like I have found a miracle! Recently, I was researching the world’s happiest countries from 2018 and up to 2020, Finland has taken the top for 3 years in a row while Denmark second. I was even more intrigued out of all the countries in the world…Finland!? Nothing is wrong with Finland, I have always had it on my travel list, but seeing that it’s the world’s happiest country, I felt the dire need to check out why. Obviously, lockdown restrictions are bestowed upon us and covid-19 has taken another hit like a home run on a baseball field I thought I would save my travel for another time. Anyway, I thought since it’s freezing, people tend to be more receptive and respond to it with hibernation, isolation, and grumpiness. How strange to find out that it was the exact opposite, they developed this system to get out of the mundane, dark, boring, nights and days. So, what does make people happy even when in ice-cold weather and still maintain the smile of a thousand suns? The ABC’s! It’s universal and anyone can use it to boost their mood, why not give it a shot?
A – Action
This is the physical part of what the Scandinavians say helps them boost their moods! It involves working out, riding a bike in the morning, yoga, running, and even just having a walk outside. It’s a well-known fact why being active reduces stress and alleviates sadness, it releases endorphins- in this case, let’s just say the happy! If you feel down, try walking every day to start out with. Maybe spice it up and bring your favorite music with you. Stop and pay attention to the details outside of your home, your life will become more colorful when you observe the world with an open mind. Along with this idea, I like to go outside and people watch, happy people for that matter, this helps me view the world with a playful approach.
B – Together with People
Community. We are all part of one species… The human species, and just like animals need other animals, we need other humans. It dates back to the earliest centuries when people stuck together in tribes to survive. We depend on each other not just for survival, but also for comfort. You know that feeling when you haven’t hugged someone or socialized in a while and you find yourself feeling empty? It may be because you need mental and physical support or touch. People in Denmark and Finland believe the quality of life depends on the communities they build within their home and outside of it.
C – Meaning or Purpose
They create a purpose in life, meaning that they make everything out to have a purpose! Danes and the Finnish have a special name for this and it’s called “hygge“. It’s an intimate experience they weave into their routines thread by thread… thus, it becoming an art form. They express hygge daily with simplistic pleasures but, adding just a little touch of awareness to it, they really see that moment and make it slow and meaningful for them. A conscious ritual, for example: waking up in the morning, making your favorite tea with love, in each sip there stirs a presence… meanwhile, you turn on your most treasured album. Maybe you ride your bike to the flower shop once a week to pick out the lilacs you are fond of. Or, drinking alone with wine while reading a new book. Enjoying, rejoicing, and celebrating the art of living in the moment.
A Shadow Lurking in the Happiness…
On the other hand, there seems to be a shadow lurking in all of the happiness. A paradox intertwining suicide and happiness. It’s just as important to talk about one side of things as much as the other, or it wouldn’t seem to be whole or complete for me, that’s why I would like to talk about why Denmark is the second happiest country but fifth in the highest suicide rates. Why? From what I have come across, I have watched a ted talk where Meik Wiking, a Dane, spoke out about this occurrence. He first asked the question that I found pretty eye-opening, which was, ‘Should happiness be studied in a scientific matter?’ If depression and anxiety are studied in a scientific matter, why would we leave out what makes someone happy? Happiness is subjective, but does that necessarily mean it’s a thing we need to leave out? No! This is an amazing opportunity to take a step back and observe what makes us the most fulfilled. We are all different, not just by looks, but by brain structure and the way we think. Along with this question he raised awareness in how much social comparisons matter along with social media which I have a full post about here:
Even so, In Denmark, if there are a number of happy people, what are the vulnerable people doing that aren’t happy? They are probably asking themselves why can’t they just be as happy as everyone else, or why they are alone at the park while there are people laughing and sharing each other’s company. The point is social comparisons DO matter and it’s because of the isolation they feel, something they don’t feel apart of or worthy of.
Lastly, it comes down to how we treat our most vulnerable people. You never know what people are going through. If you feel good, why not share the goodness with others by simple acts? Even smiling at a stranger can make their day to show they were seen or heard or maybe even felt loved. Little things can make the biggest impacts on people.
Let me know how this helped you and comment below if you tried doing the ABC’s!,
ProvidingTruth
Credits that helped me write this post and gave me inspiration:
https://worldhappiness.report/ed/2020/cities-and-happiness-a-global-ranking-and-analysis/
