What Drives Happiness? (How to 'Hygge' ep. 148)

What drives happiness? Actually, what is happiness?


It sounds so vague, like “puppy dogs and rainbows,” doesn’t it? Well, today, we're going to define it, get our hands wrapped around how you measure it + see what the key drivers for happiness really are.


Our guest Meik Wiking is the founder + CEO of The Happiness Research Institute, is improving the quality of life across the globe and has consulted with the Danish government and the city of Goyang in South Korea among others to increase key drivers of happiness in their countries. 


When Meik realized his native Denmark is routinely ranked the highest in the United Nations Happiness Report, it sent him on a mission to unlock what drives (and what prohibits) human happiness.


Meik’s insights are fascinating and will give you practical steps to live a happier, more inspired life today.


 


SHOW NOTES



1. How do you measure happiness?

2. Why are some people happier than others?

3. How can we improve the quality of life?


• Happiness often feels vague and soft. The institute breaks happiness down into two components: Overall life satisfaction + immediate satisfaction.

• Capture happiness: By following large groups of people over time, they see how life events impact emotions and happiness.

• The Happiness Research Institute has served cities, governments + organizations globally, impacting their policies + infrastructures, allowing their citizens to flourish. 

•  Meik refers to Denmark as the "least unhappy country": 

• Since "genetics" plays a small role in someone's level of happiness,  the main explanation is the Nordic way of life.

• Policies + infrastructure are in place in Scandinavian countries to reduce causes of unhappiness: unemployment, lack of access to healthcare, paid university-level education.



• Hygge is the idea of feeling relaxed, at peace, a sense of togetherness and enjoying simple pleasures. It's a key success parameter when socializing in Denmark.

• Light a candle: Meik shares a fascinating story of a Canadian family making the simple environmental change of eating dinner in candlelight that led to a longer, more enjoyable experience for the entire family. 


• Happiness-suicide paradox: It's more difficult to be unhappy in happy country.

• Why? Our satisfaction is impacted by how we see others (and social comparison).

• Increasing wealth does not correlate with increased happiness because we increase our expectations, creating a new benchmark for happiness.








MEIK WIKING'S LIVE INSPIRED 7




2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited ...