{"id":700,"date":"2014-03-20T21:04:28","date_gmt":"2014-03-20T21:04:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.propertiesincostarica.com\/blog\/?p=700"},"modified":"2014-03-20T21:04:28","modified_gmt":"2014-03-20T21:04:28","slug":"the-international-day-of-happiness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.propertiesincostarica.com\/blog\/the-international-day-of-happiness\/","title":{"rendered":"The Day of Happiness"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Today, March 20th,has been designated the United Nations International Day of Happiness<\/a>. According to the founder of Action for Happiness, “Happiness means feeling good about our lives and wanting to go on feeling that way.\u00a0 Unhappiness means feeling bad and wanting things to change.”<\/p>\n

Costa Rica has been ranked the happiest country on earth for several years in a row. What better day than today to explore what makes Costa Ricans so happy and what factors in general have the ability to make people happier.<\/p>\n

Costa Rica is a country with beautiful ocean vistas<\/a> and incredible biodiversity.\u00a0 It has been an ecological pioneer, aiming to create a small ecological footprint. \u00a0Costa Rican’s have the joy of exploring gorgeous beaches<\/a> on both sides of the country, and possess the ability to step outside their door to gaze upon beautiful mountain vistas<\/a>.\u00a0 Their emphasis on preserving this natural beauty has also boosted its economy, creating more jobs and opportunities.\u00a0 And with no standing army, more money has been redirected to education (Costa Rica has a 96% literacy rate, the highest of any Latin American country).\u00a0 Costa Ricans also find joy in the company of friends and family, placing a strong emphasis on loved ones over social capital and financial gains. Perhaps it’s these factors that contribute to Costa Rica’s unofficial slogan,\u00a0Pura Vida, pure life.<\/p>\n

We all want to live happy, fulfilling lives and want the same for our loved ones.\u00a0 Many different factors can influence happiness:\u00a0 genes and upbringing, external circumstances, but we can also influence our own happiness by our own choices, personal values and our sense of purpose.\u00a0 \u00a0Some people think that success is the key to happiness.\u00a0 But recent psychological studies show that this is not the case.\u00a0 Instead, its said that happiness fuels success, rather than the other way around.\u00a0 When we are positive we become motivated, creative and productive.<\/p>\n

One form of the success many people seek is financial. The idea that money can’t buy happiness has been around a long time, but that’s not to say there is no connection between income and happiness.\u00a0 People with a comfortable living standard are happier than people living in poverty. “Comfortable standard” varies across countries. However, once we reach that standard, anything beyond that does not bring additional happiness.\u00a0 Buying more things for ourselves- fancy cars or designer clothing, are not effective in turning money into happiness.\u00a0\u00a0 Instead, studies show that if you spend on yourself, you should buy experiences, not things.\u00a0 An evening out with friends, a family trip to the beach will apparently make you happier in the long run than a new designer watch.\u00a0\u00a0 Also, the study shows, we should focus on buying for others.\u00a0 This means indulging less in ourselves and giving others the opportunity to indulge.<\/p>\n

Below we have outlined the Action for Happiness 10 keys to happier living. While in Costa Rica we are the happiest people in the world there is always room for growth and ways to make our lives and the lives of others a little sweeter.<\/p>\n

Action for Happiness 10 keys to happier living<\/a><\/p>\n