Discover The Danish Secret To Be The Happiest In The World
It has caught our attention to know that those people who live in “cold” countries are the happiest on the planet. The list, according to the World Health Organization, is headed by Denmark. Yes, the Danes are people who hardly know sadness. You want to know why? In this article we will tell you!
World Happiness Index
¿ How can be happy those who live in a place where winters are very cold, long, dark? In what way can these people who spend it indoors be first in a ranking of happiness? Yes, there is a report that is responsible for studying and measuring this aspect.
It may seem a bit strange to us if our idea of being happy is lying on the beach having a beer or spending a weekend with family and friends on a lake or mountain (it should be noted that the highest point in Denmark does not exceed the 200 masl).
But we may have to travel to Danish lands to see it with our own eyes. In Copenhagen, the capital, it seems that perfection is a sine qua non. We see the beautiful women relaxing through the streets with their children or the men sitting and enjoying themselves in a small downtown cafe. Is it a facade? Are you making a movie? Not at all! It is the daily life of the Danes.
So that we understand the situation a bit, for example we can say that the Government and companies facilitate the reconciliation of work and family life. If you stay more hours in the office it is because you have not been able to fulfill your tasks, working from home is very common and mothers have up to a year of leave when they give birth. And, in addition, young people receive 800 euros per month as a “salary” for studying.
Activities outdoors or in “indoor” places are never lacking. From a jazz concert in a square to a museum (Sundays are free)… for all tastes. Restaurants are usually crowded (you also eat very well) and it is common to invite friends to have a beer at home after work.
The hygge , the secret of happiness of Danes
The reasons for the joy in this country go beyond top-quality education and public health, the highest salaries in the world, political stability, care for the environment and equality between men and women (as if all this not enough). What then is it that produces such happiness? They call it hygge , a word in the local language that does not have a punctual translation in Spanish.
Although the concept would be something like “good for the soul” or “cozy.” So it means having a good time in front of the fireplace, drinking a coffee or a mulled wine with sugar while from the window (without blinds) you can see the snow fall and the night appear. It is also meeting loved ones on weekends, smelling freshly baked bread, wearing a warm wool sweater, reading a good book …
According to the book The Year We Live Danish , by Helen Russell, hygge is about being good to yourself, not denying ourselves any daily pleasure and spending pleasant moments doing what we like the most.
It also has to do with home decoration (where many hours are spent in the long winters). Since in the middle of the year there are only 4 hours of light a day and the temperatures never exceed 0 ° C, the Danes try to be comfortable in their home thanks to candles, incense, furniture and, of course, good company and enjoyable activities.
Of course, there is still more to Denmark: hospitality, personal and general well-being, benevolence and the absence of worry are just some of the other reasons why Danes are so, so happy. Peace is the rule and not the exception, kindness too.
Therefore, if you want to be happy without regard and think about your comfort or well-being … take a walk through Denmark. Perhaps you can “copy” his philosophy of life and transfer it to your family, neighborhood and why not, country.
