Why Happiness Must Be Developed at All Levels of Society

Thomas Jefferson once said, “Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits.” Individual happiness has extensive benefits including improving a person’s physical health, providing more motivation to accomplish goals, and increased determination and energy to accomplish tasks throughout the day. However, when a group of individuals is happy, it produces powerful results.  

How Happiness is Developed

How to become happy and develop happiness in life is a quest that many individuals are on. Luckily, there are countless ways to achieve happiness. One of the most important things is being mindful of a person’s wellbeing both physically and mentally. Research shows that physically taking care of one’s self through exercise, adequate sleep, and healthy eating will ensure the body is working at its best, the mind receives all the nutrients, and the individuals experience feelings of joy.  

You can also develop happiness through relationships and connections with others. By creating quality relationships with friends and family, as well as serving and showing appreciation to others, you not only bring happiness to your own life, but to the lives of those around you.

Happiness and Bhutan

In Bhutan, gross national happiness, or GNH, is a powerful belief that attaining happiness and a person’s overall wellbeing is much more important than monetary wealth and possessions. Citizens use a set of principles to improve everyone’s wellbeing and following these principles affects the entire society as a whole. These principles create a happier, less contentious place to live. People are more willing to live a healthier life, develop the environment, and improve the culture.

It is important to note that Bhutan is a third-world country with extreme poverty, yet despite their lack of material possessions, they still put their focus on the wellness of the entire society. Because of this focus, it has grown into a much happier and more developed place to live.

How Happiness Affects Governments

A 2010 study shows that good governance produces higher levels of happiness but also lowers inequality among its citizens. Many individuals argue that government should focus on making people happy. Unfortunately, the government is limited in its power and happiness is a personal choice. The happiness of an individual is more affected by a person’s relationships and interactions with other individuals, which the government has little control over. However, if the government wants to affect other individuals, it needs to concentrate on their own happiness and using power to focus on creating policies that focus on a person’s overall wellbeing by helping it — not hindering it. The happiness of officials trickles down to its constituents, which is evident by the situation in Bhutan.

How Happiness Affects Business

In addition to affecting society and even the government, happiness also impacts businesses. In Bhutan, for example, the surge in happiness in this small country has increased its development. Happiness increases a person’s determination and motivation. It gives them more drive to work and when an individual is happier in their employment, they are more willing to put forth an honest effort into their projects, make customers happy, and come up with new ideas. Furthermore, when owners and employees are happier, those emotions are directed to the customers. When customers are more satisfied with their overall experience, they are more willing to come back and recommend the business.

When one person is truly happy, it affects everyone they associate with. Whether a person lives in a third world country or is a successful businessman, happiness should be sought after and developed.