Are you happy? If not, what can you do to be happy? Which country is the happiest in the world?
We’ll try to make you happy in this episode by answering these questions and by helping you to improve your English.

Happiness (noun) / happy (adjective)

Joy-joyful-joyfulness
Content-contentment
To fulfil/fulfill-fulfilment/fullfillment
What’s the difference between happiness and contentment?

Happiness refers to a state of being happy or feeling pleasure. On the other hand, contentment refers to a state of being satisfied.
The main difference between happiness and contentment is that, while happiness denotes an emotional state, which is more short-term, contentment refers to a state, which is long-term. Unlike happiness, contentment involves calmness, which is very stable.

Glad-Gladness
Cheerful/cheery-cheerfulness
Delight-delighted
Pleased-pleasing-pleasure
Ecstatic-ecstasy
Euphoric-euphoria
Over the moon

World Happiness Report (source: Bloomberg.com)

Finland was crowned the happiest country in the world for the fifth consecutive year, with a score significantly ahead of its peers in the World Happiness Report 2022 ranking.

Yet in a WHO report of 2019, out of 41 European countries, Finland was 11th for the highest number of suicides per capita! The UK was 34th and Spain 35th.

Denmark kept its second place in the happiest country rankings. No Spanish-speaking countries were in the top 20.

Variables in the study include:

real GDP (Gross Domestic Product) per capita
social support
healthy life expectancy
freedom to make life choices
generosity
perceptions of corruption

Happiness can be subjective. It depends on individual experiences and preferences. Here are some things that can contribute to happiness according to research (and ChatGPT)

Positive relationships: Having strong connections with friends, family, and other people can provide a sense of belonging and social support that can lead to greater happiness.

Meaningful work: Feeling a sense of purpose and accomplishment in your work can lead to greater satisfaction and happiness.

Personal growth: Engaging in activities that challenge and help you to grow can lead to a greater sense of self-esteem.

Physical health: Taking care of your physical health through exercise, healthy eating, and enough sleep can improve overall well-being.

Gratitude: Practicing gratitude and focusing on what one is thankful for can help cultivate a positive mindset.

Leisure and recreation: Engaging in enjoyable activities, such as hobbies or spending time in nature, can help reduce stress.

Climate: Maybe it’s easier to have fun when it’s sunny, warm and dry and with plenty of sunlight?

Discussion
What makes you feel happy (and unhappy)?

Do you wake up happy? Are you a morning person?

Do you think that happiness lies within you? Or does it depend upon other people and external things?

Can technology help bring you happiness, or sadness, or both, or neither?

Is there anything you could change to make you happier?

Are we happier as a society now than we were 30 years ago?

…and now it’s your turn to practise your English. What makes you happy? Are there any changes you can make in your life to be happier?
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