A profound shift in attitudes is underway all over the world. People are now recognizing that 'progress' should be about increasing human happiness and wellbeing, not just growing the economy.
March 20 has been established as the annual International Day of Happiness and all 193 United Nations member states have adopted a resolution calling for happiness to be given a greater priority.
We are a social species and we thrive when we're closely connected to others. But modern society is leaving more and more people feeling disconnected, isolated or lonely. On the day, thousands of people all around the world reached out to make new positive connections with others.
"This International Day of Happiness is more than just a fun celebration, it also remind us all that the world is a better place when we connect with and care about the people around us"
Happiness campaign asked people to share authentic images of what makes them happy to "Reclaim Happiness" back from the fake commercial images of happiness that we are so often bombarded with. Many tens of thousands of people shared images and the social reach was estimated to be over 13 million people globally.
Activities which happens on Happiness Day around the globe:
Happathon - a global hack for happiness - in New York City, San Francisco, Indianapolis, Oslo, Tokyo, London and Bogota, to launch a 12-month project to globally crowdsource a vision for the Happiness Economy
Handing out plantable seeded paper with inspirational quotes at lunchtime in London's Square Mile
Happiness-related film screenings in UK, Peru, Mexico, Nigeria, Spain, Brazil, Australia, Italy, and India, especially the documentary, Happy.
Interactive events include a positive message flash mob at Liverpool Street station, laughter in Hong Kong, and free hugs in Washington DC.
While nations are gradually introducing happiness and well-being as an important part of sustainable development, it's exciting to see that individual citizens are mobilizing to take their happiness into their own hands too. Project Happiness, which teaches the skills for greater well-being to students around the world, is working with Action for Happiness, an organization based in the UK that is bringing together a network of like-minded organizations and people to expand happiness everywhere. One of the quickest ways to get involved is to celebrate acts of generosity, kindness, enthusiasm and connection - focused on bringing happiness to others. It's easier than one may think to ACT:
A: Affirm the pledge - make a personal pledge to create more happiness in the world
C: Cheer Happy Heroes - celebrate the people who bring happiness to you and others
T: Take part - do something to mark the day and spread some happiness
Because your sense of well-being influences others more than you know, it makes sense that as you increase your happiness, it positively affects those around you. Why not make International Happiness Day the start of a year where you commit to well-being, positivity and gratitude? It will uplift your outlook and ripple out to those you care about too. You know about the benefits of exercise, sleep and food that give you energy. The cost is nothing but your desire, and the pay offs are enormous.
People on this day indulge themselves in the activities which make them happy and share it on social media too.
International happiness day is the realisation of smaller things which makes us happy.
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