Official research out today from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows we are living happier these days despite the fact that things around may be more difficult for many people.
The findings of a survey of 80,000 people from the ONS, released today, show that pensioners enjoy life the most, the unhappiest men in the UK are those living in London and that the age group 65 – 80 are the most satisfied of all of us. Four out of five people said they were happy with their lives.
It seems that London has most of the gloomiest people…well that’s not a surprise.
Women are found to be happier than men in most age groups, until we reach the age of 65 when men become happier than women.
Married couples are happiest, followed by cohabitating couples with single people the least happiest. People with children are happiest when their offspring are below the age of one and the study shows that life is most difficult for parents when their children are 11 – 16 years old.
For me what is more interesting than the observation of what is apparently happening with the spread of happiness in the UK and the world, is the question: ‘What can we do about getting happier?’ Surveys set out to measure what is currently going on – a statement about ‘what is’. For me, I am way more interested in looking at what strategies for living will give us more happiness and raise up the happiness levels of everyone by actively ‘living more positively’.
The good news
We know what sort of things we need to be doing to raise happiness for ourselves as individuals and for our societies. It’s about fostering friendships, stronger communities, laughing more, giving out kindness, realising that our deeds day-by-day do make a difference and being there to help one another. It’s simple things that make us happy: a walk in nature, health, some simple food with friends, sharing some uplifting stories, listening to music, sharing time with a pet, spending time with our children and so on.
One of the most important things to get out to the world is that our thoughts, emotions and words are creative and affect us and everything around us profoundly.
Putting greater attention on what we do want, raising our frequency and vibration, fostering good feelings inside ourselves, responding positively – it is these methods that will affect our overall happiness faster than anything.
Switching off the news, and turning our attention to something way more positive. Thinking clearly and feeling better is the way to go forward. Knowing that we can make a difference in this world by how we conduct our inner landscape, and take this moment by moment. We can all make better choices and life healthier by being happier. It begins with a perspective and a new frame.
