Written by Blake Smith
It’s 2018! A new year! A new beginning! A chance to restart, set new goals and actually follow through with them. Most people tend to make the cliché resolutions such as eating healthier, working out more, stop procrastinating etc.
While those all are solid and admirable goals to set for yourself in 2018, we tend to never focus on the one thing that matters most in life; our own happiness.
Our happiness is vital to health and wellbeing, yet it almost always goes overlooked. So, we wanted to start off this year differently and read a book that focuses on multiple ways for us to live a happier and more fulfilling life. And, what better book to read then one that studies one of the happiest countries in the world, Denmark?
The “Little Book of Lykke” (pronounced Loo-ka) studies Danes and the simple measures they take to make themselves and more importantly, others around them happier.
Read on to discover some of our main takeaways from the book and tell us in the comments below if you will be using any to make 2018 a little better!
Togetherness
It takes a village to raise happiness
Connectedness and togetherness are essentially the main themes of this book and two of the main factors when it comes to our happiness. The book asks us to think about some of our happiest memories. Are you alone in this memory or are you surrounded by friends and loved ones? Chances are, you said you were with other humans. People are social beings. No matter if you’re introverted, shy, or just plain awkward; we need connection. To feel like we are a part of something. So, join a book club. Ask your friends over for dinner without cell phones or television. Surprise your family and go stay a weekend with them if you live away from home. Immerse yourself into life with others!
Money
If money and happiness were to describe their relationship on Facebook, it would read, “It’s complicated”
It is true that money can buy happiness, but only to an extent. Once we reach a certain level income, our happiness begins to plateau. I am sure you all have heard someone say this at some point in time, “If I could just win the lottery, I would be so happy.” But, I guarantee you that within a year of winning that large sum of money they would be back to their same levels of happiness before they won. It’s not about the money. It’s our constant comparison to people who have more of it. South Korea is one of the richest countries in the world, yet has one of the highest suicide rates. We have to stop basing our happiness off income. It’s literally killing us. Find something that puts food on the table, a roof over your head, and most importantly brings you overwhelming joy. Do this, and you will have more happiness then all the money in the world can buy.
Health
We need to end whispering about mental illnesses behind closed doors. We need to say the scary words out loud, so they lose their power, and so no one has to struggle on in silence.
Health is everything. Good health allows us to enjoy life. To seek out adventures. To pursue our dreams and aspirations. Health comes in two forms: physical and mental. There are many ways to improve our physical health including, riding our bikes to work, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, immersing ourselves in the outdoors through hiking, kayaking, climbing etc. Our physical health is vital, yes, but our mental health is just as important. One of the main ways we can strive to improve our mental health is through mindfulness. We need to be present in every single moment of the day. You can find beauty in every corner of this wonderful planet. The smell of a coffee shop or fresh rain, the warmth of your sheets after a long day, a good book and cozy fire; just look around you! Find yours and be mindful of them! Be present in the little moments of life and appreciate every breath.
Kindness
If you want happiness for an hour – take a nap. If you want happiness for a day – go fishing. If you want happiness for a year – inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime – help someone else.
The key to happiness according to the book is simple – be kind. To all. To your boss, your family, strangers, your enemies; everyone. Not just for personal gain, but just because you want to. It will send your happiness levels through the roof. Random acts of kindness will change your life and hopefully, others around you as well. Buy the person behind you a coffee. Volunteer for a day. Go to your local park and pickup trash. Smile at people! You can never know how much a smile could mean to a stranger. Let’s make the world a better place by killing it with kindness!
We didn’t want to give away everything in the book, so if you haven’t already, go read “The Little Book of Lykke”. It will jumpstart your 2018 in such a positive way, and who knows…might even change your life!
Have some happiness tips of your own? Please share them with us below in the comments!
Synopsis | Goodreads
It’s easy to see why Denmark is often called the world’s happiest country. Not only do they have equal parental leave for men and women, free higher education and trains that run on time, but they burn more candles per household than anywhere else.
So nobody knows more about happiness – what the Danes call lykke – than Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen and author of the bestselling sensation The Little Book of Hygge . But he believes that, whilst we can certainly learn a lot from the Danes about finding fulfilment, the keys to happiness are actually buried all around the globe.
In this captivating book, he takes us on a treasure hunt to unlock the doors to inner fulfilment. From how we spend our precious time, to how we relate to our neighbours and cook dinner, he gathers evidence, stories and tips from the very happiest corners of the planet. This is the ultimate guide to how we can all find a little more lykke in our lives.
