How to be happy? 10 keys to happiness from the author of a bestseller about achieving it shes

After going on to have a successful career in advertising, marketing and public relations in France, she went in search of what really makes people happy. In 2017, she published the international bestseller, Happy As a Dane: 10 Secrets of the Happiest People in the World.

The report, published by the United Nations, draws on data mainly from the Gallup World Poll, based on respondents’ ratings of their own happiness.

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“All the top countries tend to have high values for all six of the key variables that have been found to support well-being: income, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust and generosity,” according to the most recent report.

“There is a collective fantasy about happiness, that it is some kind of permanent state,” Rydahl says ahead of the annual International Day of Happiness, which falls on March 20. “We often imagine that once we’ve achieved our ideal life, with a perfect spouse, adorable children, a stylish house, a dream career and so on, our happiness will last forever.”

That is an illusion, she says. “Life is unpredictable and full of surprises, good and bad. The key is to return to what I call your own foundation of well-being.”

What makes a good foundation is the million-dollar question.

In conversation with the Post, Rydahl shared the 10 values some of the happiest people on the planet espouse. Living in a particular country will not make you happy, but what you have inside of you will. So even if your country ranks low in the happiness index, there is no reason you cannot attain a 10/10 score yourself.

1. Trust

People with greater levels of trust are more inclined to perceive that they have better control over their lives and better life chances, according to a report from the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Trust is also regarded as an important component in promoting engagement in society, reducing criminality and increasing individual happiness.

2. Education

Denmark’s education system is tailored to develop the personality and skills of each student, not to create an elite. Education is free and accessible to all.

The system also encourages children to think for themselves and form opinions.

Problem solving, creativity and innovation, collaboration and communication, are all qualities sought after by today’s employers. While the results of the Danish school system may not result in the highest performing students, the well-being fostered is one of the world’s best.

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3. Freedom and independence

Carving out your own path in life is worth freeing yourself from a life imposed upon you by society, family or conventions.

In Denmark, young people’s independence is also facilitated by the student grant system, which awards them a grant regardless of their family’s financial situation. This gives them the freedom to choose what to study without being dependent on their parents.

4. Equal opportunity

Denmark is not the best place to get rich, partly because it has a tax system that redistributes earnings, an education system that does not favour high achievers, and a culture that does not put money first.

But according to a study by the OECD, it is a lot easier to climb the social ladder in Scandinavian countries than in France, Italy, the United Kingdom or even the United States.

5. Realistic expectations

Danes love the simple things in life. They rarely have great ambitions of material wealth; instead they simply take life as it comes. Since Danes do not expect to be the best, to win accolades or be admired by others, they are more satisfied with the status quo.

If they are lucky or talented enough to win something, the pleasure is multiplied by a thousand. When we do not expect much from a given situation, we are more likely to be pleasantly surprised in the end and therefore happier.

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6. Solidarity and respect for others

In surveys, Danes show they are committed to the welfare state and that they are willing to fund it through taxation. This is despite the fact that the tax revenue as a percentage of GDP (gross domestic product) in Denmark is the highest in the world at 50.9 per cent.

Sharing makes people happy, provided that everyone contributes and respects the system without trying to cheat.

7. Work-life balance

Rush hour in Denmark is from 4pm to 5pm, when people are leaving work to either pick up their children or do things they enjoy. Family and leisure time in general are important. Danes eat dinner around 6pm and the whole family dines together, in contrast with other cultures where children eat first and parents later.

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8. Money

Danes are generally quite relaxed with money. For most, being rich is not a priority; they are happy with what they have got. Danes do not give the impression of being caught up in the rat race for money. They feel already well taken care of thanks to the welfare system, and have other priorities such as finding a meaningful job or personal fulfilment.

Success is not synonymous with financial success.

9. Modesty

For the Danes, enjoying yourself and having fun is more important than winning.

Danish modesty can be found everywhere, from brewer Carlsberg’s slogan, “Probably the best beer in the world”, to the “roligans” – Danish football fans (rolig meaning calm or peaceful).

10. Gender equality

In Denmark, people are free to choose the right role for themselves without worrying about stereotypes or taboos.

Growing up, there is an absence of gender stereotypes, which encourages children to develop naturally and pursue what they enjoy, not what society expects them to.

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