How can we enhance our happiness?
Did you see the headlines recently telling us that people living in Finland are the happiest people in the world, for the eighth year running? For us, it prompted the question, “what have they got that we haven’t?”
The 2025 World Happiness Report, published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, provides attention grabbing headlines but it also incorporates some eye-opening insights into the factors that contribute to our wellbeing and happiness.
Let’s look at the key findings and explore how we can incorporate more happiness-inducing activities into our daily lives.
Who’s Leading the Happiness Charts?
Finland tops the global happiness rankings for the eighth consecutive year. Other Nordic countries like Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden also feature prominently. These nations consistently report high levels of life satisfaction, thanks to strong social support systems, transparent governance, and a healthy work-life balance. The UK and the US are both reported to have dropped down the happiness rankings, with the UK dropping from 20th to 23rd between 2024 and 2025, and the US dropping from 23rd to 24th during the same period.
The Power of Sharing Meals
One standout feature from this year’s report is the significant impact of communal dining on happiness. Sharing meals with others is strongly associated with increased happiness, better health, and stronger social connections. For children, family meals contribute to healthier diets, lower obesity rates, and improved academic performance. Regular readers of the ICC Virtual Coach will remember that we dedicated a whole article to the benefits of meal-sharing back in 2023 – you heard it here first!
It is no surprise, then, that the report finds that regularly eating alone has been linked to negative health outcomes. What is surprising is that the negative effects are apparently comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Acts of Kindness: A Two-Way Street
The Global Happiness Report emphasises that acts of kindness benefit both the giver and the receiver. Engaging in caring behaviours, such as helping a stranger or volunteering, not only boosts the well-being of others but also enhances our own happiness. Interestingly, people tend to underestimate the kindness of their communities. For instance, actual rates of returning lost wallets are around twice as high as people expect, highlighting a more benevolent society than we might assume.
Once again, ICC is ahead of the game here, having posted about Leading with Kindness last year!
The Decline in Social Support
A concerning trend noted in the report is the decline in social support, particularly among young adults. The researchers asked, “If you were in trouble, do you have relatives or friends you can count on to help you whenever you need them, or not?”
Nearly one-fifth of young adults globally reported lacking social support, which correlates with lower life satisfaction scores. This highlights the importance of fostering strong social connections and community ties.
How Can We Boost Our Happiness?
So, what can we take away from these findings? Here are some practical suggestions to enhance our own happiness:
- Share More Meals: Make an effort to eat with family, friends, or colleagues. It’s not just about the food; it’s about building and strengthening relationships. The Long Table in Cirencester encourages people to eat together and serves delicious, healthy food as well! And put your phone away – the report specifically calls out that excessive smartphone use during meals can significantly reduce the positive effects of eating with others.
- Engage in Acts of Kindness: Small gestures, like helping a neighbour or volunteering, can have a profound impact on your well-being. Remember, kindness is a two-way street.
- Foster Social Connections: Prioritise building and maintaining relationships. Whether it’s joining a club, attending community events, or simply reaching out to a friend, these connections are vital for our happiness. Sometimes these connections take effort, but with effort comes reward!
- Limit Solo Activities: While alone time is essential, be mindful of excessive solitary activities, especially during meals. Balance is key.
Why not give one or more of these a try? Perhaps making a few small changes will edge us all closer to Finnish levels of happiness!
