Happiness is a concept that is so ubiquitous and so often referenced that, as a word, it might be perceived to have lost much of its gravity. Few would disagree that happiness is important, yet society seems to have shifted its values away from its pursuit, replacing them instead with a measure of economic growth and productivity. This is why, in 2012, the International Day of Happiness was founded, in an effort to promote the continued importance and value of true happiness, first being celebrated a year later.

The creation of the International Day of Happiness followed the 2011 UN General Assembly’s resolution to make happiness a fundamental human goal. It was Bhutan that made the push for this direction, being the first country to establish a Gross National Happiness (GNH). Most of us will be familiar with the concept of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which measures the supposed health of a country by looking at its economic value. However, Bhutan felt that this was not appropriate for their nation, seeing its people’s happiness are more important than its economy and, therefore, set about measuring its prosperity by looking at GNH instead.

This year, on March 20th, the International Day of Happiness continued its work to highlight the importance of happiness. Recent years have seen significant challenges face individuals in the pursuit of happiness, not only in the wake of an international health crisis but also in the rise of social media usage and environmental concerns. 

There is clear evidence that social media usage can have a detrimental effect upon mental health. Climate change concerns are spurring a number of mental health concerns, as well as being linked to the increased frequency of disorders. And, the international pandemic has grown inequality while increasing levels of anxiety. While happiness levels within the UK are showing signs of rising, they are still below pre-pandemic levels and have yet to take into account recent societal developments, such as the cost of living crisis.

These issues demonstrate the importance of an international day dedicated to happiness, as well as the ongoing and increasing need for mental health services across the UK. 

When it comes to feeling happier, there are many ways in which we can improve our sense of well-being. Action For Happiness considers ten foundations that are conducive to growing individual happiness, including giving, exercising, and direction. Exercising, for example, has a well-documented and positive impact on happiness, not only from teh confidence that comes from feeling healthier but also because physical activity stimulates the production of chemicals within the brain that reduce stress and anxiety. 

Other fundamentals include sleep hygiene and diet, both of which play a significant role in the body and mind’s health. Additionally, socialising is effective in helping individuals to feel happy and it is advised that connections with others are maintained as a part of daily routine, with six hours being the ideal amount per day.

For some, however, achieving happiness requires a greater deal of support that, as the demand for mental health services across the UK grows, becomes increasingly more difficult to receive. For those struggling with their sense of happiness and mental health, feeling unable to improve even when adapting their lifestyle, it is advised that professional help is sought.

At Bristol Counselling and Psychotherapy, we offer such support, creating non-judgemental spaces to explore mental health. If you’d like to speak to us about your own mental health, or have concerns for someone close to you, then reach out to our team by emailing hello@bristolcounsellingandpsychotherapy.co.uk or, alternatively, by calling 07751 271709.