Finland ranks no.1 on the annual World Happiness Report’s of the world’s happiest countries for the 8th straight year. The report, published today on the UN’s International Day of Happiness, is based on the analysis of how residents of over 140 countries rate their quality of life. With 10 meaning someone is currently living the best possible life they can imagine, Finns came in first with an average score of 7.74.
The top 10 happiest countries in the world, according to the 2025 World Happiness Report:
- Finland
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Sweden
- Netherlands
- Costa Rica
- Norway
- Israel
- Luxembourg
- Mexico
Why am I unhappy and what can I do about it?
- A Harvard study, spanning 80+ years, has confirmed that embracing relationships and community helps us live longer and be happier. Close, positive relationships, more than money or fame, are what keep people happy throughout their lives, the study revealed. Those ties protect people from life’s discontents, help to delay mental and physical decline, and are better predictors of long and happy lives than social class, IQ, or even genes. In Mexico and Europe, for example, a household size of four to five people predicts the highest levels of happiness, the World Happiness Report said. Maintaining a strong sense of community with acts such as regularly dining with others, for example, improves social trust and happiness. The type of people you surround yourself with is also important, because they have a critical influence on your energy, growth and mindset. Energy and emotions are contagious. Happy people make you feel happier; unhappy people spawn negativity and sap your positive energy.
- Getting adequate sleep is important for your mood. Chronic insomnia can increase the risk of developing depression and anxiety- and can make existing conditions worse. Click here to read tips for a better sleep.
- Are you exercising? Regular exercise can release serotonin and endorphins, which are neurotransmitters that help to lower stress, improve mood and enhance your sense of well-being. How much exercise does one need? Click here to learn how much exercise you should get for a longer, healthier life.
- Happiness may begin in childhood. British researchers from the University of Cambridge (UK) reported an association between a positive childhood and well-being in adulthood. Happy children were also much less likely to develop mental disorders throughout their lives. The 2011 study concluded, “Childhood well-being predicts positive adult well-being, and not merely the absence of mental ill-health.”
- Believing in the kindness of others is also much more closely tied to happiness than previously thought, according to the latest findings. As an example, the World Happiness Report suggests that people who believe that others are willing to return their lost wallet is a strong predictor of the overall happiness of a population.
If you are depressed, the best treatment will always target the underlying causes. For example, if the depression is hormonal, then hormone treatment will probably work best. For those who prefer a more natural approach, there are widely researched medicinal herbs and nutraceuticals that help promote better hormone balance, alleviate depressive symptoms as well as nourish your body during this period of time. If the depression is biological or psychosocial, then natural or pharmaceutical antidepressants as well as cognitive behavioural therapy can be helpful. If there are nutrient deficiencies or gut imbalances, addressing those issues will help improve overall mental and emotional wellbeing. Find a trained practitioner who is willing to listen and put the pieces of your health puzzle together.
SOURCES:
Dr. Ardyce Yik ND 