International Day of Happiness is celebrated each March 20th “to recognize the importance of well-being and happiness in the lives of people and to promote the idea that policy objectives should strive for a more inclusive equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes sustainable development, poverty eradication, happiness and the well-being of all people,” according to the United Nations.

As reported by US publisher National Today, “We celebrate International Day of Happiness thanks to the work done by the United Nations and its partner nonprofit group Action for Happiness, which is composed of people from 160 countries. The ultimate goal of the movement is to spread awareness that progress is not only about increasing bottom lines and encouraging economic growth, but well-being and human happiness as well. In 2011, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution that made it a ‘fundamental human goal’ to give happiness as much priority as economic opportunity. Two years later, in 2013, all 193 member states of the UN celebrated the world’s first International Day of Happiness, and it has continued to grow since.”

National Today offers these INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HAPPINESS ACTIVITIES:

1. Make it a point to be social
   Humans are social creatures. If you’ve been putting off organizing a get together with your friends, or have said “no” to going out a bit too much recently, try reversing this trend. Go out, laugh, have fun, don’t take your day so seriously, and you may find your stress levels drop and stay low from this one interaction. Smiling and laughing are among the best methods for relieving tension, and best of all, they’re free!


Photo by Aman Shrivastava on Unsplash

2. Get informed
   Stress and unhappiness due to work, the economic situation, fears over health and safety and myriad other factors can be a heavy weight around anyone’s neck. But by doing a little reading on well-being, mindfulness, and other ways to get in touch with what’s most important, you may start to grab a new outlook on life.
3. Make a list
   One of the best ways to experience contentedness is also one of the simplest: Make a list. Specifically, jot down five things that truly make you happy. And think hard about this. Adam Sandler’s latest Netflix venture may be fun, but does it truly bring you happiness? Once you’ve written down five things, be sure to include at least one of them, in some form, in your everyday life. This way, the effects of International Day of Happiness can go on all year.