International Day of Happiness

Happiness on a personal level can make any day better and add great value to anyone’s life! But what if happiness was cherished and appreciated not just locally but on an international scale? How could that make changes in life, such as the way the economy works or how societies function?

International Day of Happiness aims to celebrate the happiness that exists all over the world, even if it is measured in different ways. This day is meant to be inspiring to people to spread positivity, whether big or small, with others and encouraging each nation to prioritize the happiness of its citizens!

How to Celebrate International Day of Happiness

A wide range of opportunities and activities can be found to celebrate International Day of Happiness! It might be fun to come up with some creative ideas for observing the day, getting started with some of these ideas:

Share Ideas About Happiness

A great way to start might be for each person to share what makes them happy. Taking the time to notice and appreciate everything that people have to be grateful for, even the little things, can lift the mood and help people to feel more content with life. And rather than just once a year, it might be a good idea to think about making this a regular habit, for example by starting a gratitude journal.

Another way to share happiness with others might be through social media. This could be an especially powerful tool for International Day of Happiness, as it allows people to share and spread their activities and the happiness they bring all around the world within seconds.

Access Resources for Happiness

Organizations such as Action for Happiness provide plenty of great resources that can set you on a journey to greater happiness. These include things like monthly action calendars or a smartphone app, both of which give daily nudges on how to incorporate more positivity and mindfulness into life. There are also a whole range of self-help articles and books available detailing various keys to happiness. So this would be a great time to check out a local bookstore to see what’s available.

Also check out the World Happiness Report, published on International Day of Happiness each year, which ranks cities and countries all around the world by happiness levels.

While these are great ways to increase your personal wellbeing, happiness also comes from our contributions to the groups and societies in which we live, so why not share these tools and resources with your friends, family, colleagues and community?

Join with Others for Happiness

Try out a step-by-step program, meeting regularly with like-minded people to support each other in taking action and achieving happier lifestyles. And it also might be a good idea to donate to or volunteer for a charity of choice that promotes good deeds. Good quality relationships are key to happiness so, in celebration of International Day of Happiness, try to spend time with loved ones and perhaps attempt to rebuild any relationships that are going through a rough patch. However International Day of Happiness is celebrated, it’s sure to bring a smile to your own face and the faces of those in the community!

What Is Meant by ‘Happiness’?

Happiness can be a difficult concept to define, but broadly it covers two key areas – how people tend to feel in the present moment and how satisfied they are with their lives overall. Happiness can therefore range from a sudden rush of intense emotion, such as joy or euphoria, to a much calmer and steadier sense of contentment in the long term.

There continues to exist some debate over the relative importance of these two aspects for achieving genuine happiness, with many arguing that long-term quality of life is more essential than short-term emotional highs. Indeed, the Ancient Greeks believed in the concept of eudaimonia (‘happiness’ or ‘flourishing’). Under eudaimonia, happiness became associated with virtue and excellence, acting as more of an ongoing activity or process through which individuals fulfilled their role in society to the best of their abilities.

Various other cultures have also viewed happiness as a collective achievement and something the community should work toward together. In modern times, particularly in the West, the focus of happiness has turned towards individual psychology and well-being as a main source of contentment.

One notable attempt toward collective happiness might be the example of the East Asian country of Bhutan, which adopted a “Gross National Happiness” idea over Gross National Product in the 1970s. The concept of prioritizing the citizens’ happiness in all decisions relating to economic growth was a ground-breaking one. However, the execution of this idea in Bhutan has left some questions about who is deserving of happiness, revealing grave mistreatment of and discrimination against minorities.

Ultimately, the hope and desire for International Day of Happiness is that all humans of all races, genders, skin colors and backgrounds are able to live happy and healthy lives every single day of the year!

History of International Day of Happiness

International Day of Happiness has a truly global history regarding its creation. Back in 2011, the idea was introduced to the United Nations by the advisor Jayme Illien. Illien also founded the United Nations New Economic Paradigm project and ‘happytalism’, which aim to change th

As one of the key pursuits of human life, it is no surprise that there has been endless philosophizing and discussion on the subject of happiness for thousands of years. For instance, the Ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle, argued that happiness is the only thing that humans seek “in and of itself.” This idea maintains that all of the other wants and desires that humans pursue ultimately contribute to happiness, making happiness itself the end goal.

And much later, in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, utilitarians such as Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill developed an ethical theory that even saw virtuous acts as those which maximize happiness and decrease suffering. The idea may have been that even acting selflessly was a bit selfish because it made people feel happy!

Now, International Day of Happiness argues that being happy can bring a fairer and more balanced approach to economic growth in particular, such that it foregrounds sustainable development, tackles poverty and increases personal and social well being. But as well as on a societal level, this day can certainly also be used to celebrate happiness that exists on a personal and individual level!e way nations approach economic growth by focusing on ‘happytalism’ over capitalism.

The General Assembly of the United Nations agreed with the proposal and officially founded International Day of Happiness in July of 2012, with the occasion first being observed in 2013. The celebration acknowledges how important and desirable happiness is to people everywhere and how essential it is that happiness is incorporated into public policy.

International Day of Happiness is celebrated and hosted by various organizations, including Action for Happiness, Happinessday.org and the United Nations. Through these websites and via social media, people can share inspirational stories about what makes them happy, how their happiness contributes to those around them and how it can pave the way towards a better future.