Is there pixie dust mixed into the food and drink of the happiest places on Earth? Or is it something in the crisp clear air of many of the world's happiest nations? When the United Nations declared March 20 the International Day of Happiness, it recognized the relevance of "happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world." This officially-designated happy date is marking its third year. The happiest of countries -- many of which are in Scandinavia according to the most recent World Happiness Report -- have a robust combination of higher life expectancy, gross domestic product per capita, social support, generosity, freedom to make life choices and lower perceptions of corruption. By analyzing happiness data, officials hope to improve the world's social, economic and environmental well-being. The report is sponsored by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the United Nations. The network published the last World Happiness Report in 2013 and expects to release its next report in April.
World Happiness Report 2013 (PDF) What about those of us who don't live in the top 10 happiest countries in the world? We can't wave a magic wand and improve our home country's economy or reduce corruption. And the world's greatest beach is ... Maybe if you travel to happy countries with an open mind and a loving heart, you can pick up on that Danish spirit of "hygge," which is sometimes translated too simply as the Danish need for "coziness." It's really a more complex sense of intimacy, community and contentment that generally happens with friends and family. Lest you doubt the Danes and their hygge, remember they live in the happiest country in the world.