The World Happiness Report is no laughing matter
The World Happiness Report, a publication ranking countries’ happiness levels, has released its annual findings, and the US is heading in the wrong direction. Young people are especially impacted, with 22% of high school students having seriously considered suicide. What’s behind American’s feeling so discontented and disconnected?
Declining levels of societal happiness is a complex issue with multiple causes. Economic disparity and rising costs, job market instability, climate change, political volatility, and addictive social media platforms are dragging down happiness and optimism.
Addressing the current state of emotional and mental health of young people, psychotherapist Esther Perel believes a deficit in meaningful relationships contributes to their declining happiness. Says Perel, “I think people are more lonely because they are less adept at being in relationships as that involves conflict, friction and differences.”
To improve young people’s self-perspectives and interpersonal relationship skills, experts recommend investing in accessible and comprehensive mental health services in schools and communities, creating activities that promote genuine social interaction and a sense of belonging, and implementing social media reforms to prioritize users' well-being.
Young people aren’t alone; all age demographics feel disconnected and stressed in our rapidly shifting world. Have you ever helped someone move, asked a friend to assist with a project, or been lent a hand when in a bind? These days, there’s an app for that, making the need to call on a friend or loved one for assistance less necessary. While convenient, it robs people of opportunities to connect and foster relationships, dulling communication skills and fueling isolation.
Worrying about things outside one’s control is a stressor for young and old alike. “The Sphere of Control” is an exercise I give my clients to manage that stress. It helps them identify sources of worry they have some or complete control over, as well as those that are uncontrollable. From there, specific actions to address the controllable are implemented while working toward releasing those outside their influence.
You can try the Sphere of Control exercise with this PDF.
https://assets.precisionnutrition.com/2019/09/Sphere-of-control-FF.pdf
Some steps to improve my Personal Happiness Report are prioritizing sleep and hydration, eating nutritious meals, and monitoring media consumption. My mood is consistently brighter when I engage with people by making eye contact, smiling, and paying genuine compliments. My friends and I lead busy lives and don't get together as often as we like, but phone and FaceTime calls keep us connected. Also, spending time on Youtropolis, where I can share my thoughts and insights, and learn those of others, has opened a new opportunity to connect and make new friends.
The World Happiness Report’s findings are worrying, as many struggle to stay grounded and balanced. What are your thoughts about these issues, the drivers behind them, and what potential actions might make us a collectively happier society?
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Evangel
It's difficult to live in a world where the vast majority of people struggle to get by. Being stretched financially or having to work two or three jobs leaves people with little time to socialize. It also condemns them to a constant state of being stressed, angry, or fearful—disallowing them to be their best selves at home or at work. Generally, they lack the bandwidth to think beyond their own needs.
One key word comes to mind when I think about the world we now live in and the resulting unhappiness: beratement. Unhappy people inevitably make those around them unhappy. If you've ever been in the line of fire, you know how painful that can feel.
Young or old, people are targets. They are being berated constantly by struggling parents, demoralizing bosses, or dissatisfied spouses who point out how you're falling short. Then there are the countless opinions of others who are all too eager to point out your faults, or put you down to make themselves feel better. Ultimately the worst offender is thyself who dares to buy into the harsh judgments and criticisms that have pelted you repeatedly. Or by comparing yourself to others.
The solution of trying to fix all that is wrong with oneself doesn't work or make anyone happier because opinion is not reality. You can't fix someone's opinion. You can only fix your own judgments of self or others. That is the essence of liberating oneself from despair and inequity and lifting oneself into love and prosperity.
Slipstream
This article really hit home for me. It’s so true that the loss of meaningful relationships is a big reason people, younger and older, are feeling more unhappy and lonely. I agree that we need to focus on building stronger connections and teaching people how to handle differences and conflicts better.
The “Sphere of Control” exercise is a great idea. It’s helpful to think about what we can actually control instead of stressing about things we can’t change. I also think spending more time talking to friends and family—whether in person or even through a quick call—can make a big difference. Little changes like these can help us all feel happier and more connected. Thanks for this insightful article.