Every year on March 20th, the world comes together to celebrate International Day of Happiness. It’s a day to spread joy, practice gratitude, and focus on all the good things in life.
How Did International Day of Happiness Start?
Would you believe that the idea for the International Day of Happiness came from a small kingdom in the Himalayas called Bhutan? In 1972, the king of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, had a new idea. He thought that a country’s success should not only be measured by how much money it has, but also by how happy its people are. He called this idea Gross National Happiness (GNH).
This idea started a big conversation around the world. People began to understand that money isn’t everything. Being happy, feeling good, and having a sense of community are just as important.
Then, in 2012, the United Nations (UN) noticed this. They realized how important happiness is for everyone. So, they officially made March 20th the International Day of Happiness.”
In simpler terms, the International Day of Happiness started with an idea from the king of Bhutan in 1972. He thought that happiness was as important as money for a country’s success. This idea made people around the world think about the importance of happiness. In 2012, the UN made March 20th the official day to celebrate happiness around the world.
Why Do We Celebrate International Day of Happiness?
There are a few reasons why we celebrate:
- Happiness is a basic human need: Happiness is something we all need, just like we need food to eat and a place to live. Being happy is important for a good life. It helps us stay healthy, make friends, and deal with tough times.
- Happiness is contagious: When we are happy, it can make people around us happy too. This is like a ripple in a pond – when we throw a stone (our happiness) into it, the ripples (more happiness) spread out. So, by celebrating happiness, we can spread more and more happiness around us.
- A reminder to focus on well-being: Sometimes, we are so busy that we forget to think about our own happiness. The International Day of Happiness is like a gentle reminder. It tells us to slow down, enjoy the good things in life, and take care of our happiness.
- A call for a fairer world: The United Nations (UN) thinks that every country should aim for happiness and well-being, not just a few. The International Day of Happiness shows that we need rules that help everyone be happy.
What is the Purpose of International Day of Happiness?
The International Day of Happiness isn’t just about being happy for one day. It has a bigger reason behind it:
- Making people aware: The day is meant to remind everyone in the world that being happy is important.
- Promoting action: It asks governments, groups, and people to do things that make everyone happier and healthier.
- Making a difference: The International Day of Happiness wants to help change the world to a place where being happy is really important, not just something we think about later.
How Do You Celebrate?
There’s no one right way to celebrate the International Day of Happiness. The most important thing is to do something that makes you happy and spreads good feelings. Here are some ideas:
- Spend time with loved ones: Being around people who make you happy is a great way to feel good. You could plan a night to play games, watch movies, or just talk and catch up.
- Be nice to others: Doing something nice for someone else can make you feel good. You could spend some time helping others, give something to a charity, or just do a kind thing for someone in your neighborhood.
- Be thankful: Spend some time thinking about all the things you’re thankful for in your life. They can be big things like your family and friends, or small things like a yummy meal or a sunny day.
- Get active: When you exercise, your body makes something called endorphins that make you feel good. You could go for a walk, run, ride a bike, or even dance in your room – just do something that gets you moving!
- Do something creative: Show your feelings through art, music, writing, or any other creative thing you like to do.
- Disconnect from technology: Stop using your phone and computer for a day. Spend time with people in real life and enjoy simple things.
- Tell others: Share your happiness with everyone! You can use social media to post happy sayings, photos, or videos. Ask your friends and family to join in the celebration.
Ideas and Simple Ways to Celebrate
Here are some easy ways to incorporate happiness into your day:
- Start your day with a smile: Even if you’re not feeling happy at first, making yourself smile can actually make your brain think you’re happier.
- Listen to happy music: Music that is cheerful can make you feel better right away. Play your favorite songs and have fun dancing.
- Do something you enjoy: Make sure to do things you love, like reading a book, being outside in nature, playing a game, or doing a hobby.
- Help someone who needs it: Helping others can make you feel really happy. You could spend some time helping out, give something to a good cause, or just help someone who needs it.
- Be mindful: Mindfulness means paying attention to what’s happening right now without thinking it’s good or bad. There are many ways to practice mindfulness, like meditation or taking deep breaths.
- Say thank you: Spend a few minutes each day thinking about things you’re thankful for. This could be anything, like being healthy, your family, a pretty sunset, or a yummy meal.
- Spend time in nature: Research shows that being outdoors can make you feel better and healthier. You could go for a walk in the park, hike in the woods, or just sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.
- Get enough sleep: When you get enough sleep, you usually feel happier and full of energy. Try to sleep for 7-8 hours every night.
- Eat healthy foods: Eating good food is important because it can make you feel happy. When you eat food that is good for you, it gives you energy for a long time and makes you feel great. So, always try to eat fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods.
- Connect with loved ones: Spending time with the people you love is very important. Having friends and family around you can make you feel happy. So, always make sure to spend time with the people who are important to you.
- Learn something new: Learning new things is like going on an adventure for your brain. It helps your brain stay active and makes you feel proud. You can learn by going to a class, reading a book, or watching a movie about something you like.
- Forgive yourself and others: Letting go of bad feelings is like dropping a heavy backpack you’ve been carrying. When you forgive yourself and others, it’s like you’re setting down that heavy backpack. This makes you feel lighter and happier.
International Day of Happiness Quotes
Sometimes, just a few kind words can make your day better. Here are some happy quotes to celebrate the special Day of Happiness.
- “Happiness is not a destination, it is a way of life.” – Buddha
- “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
- “Let us be grateful for the beautiful things in life.” – Henri Matisse
- “There is no path to happiness: happiness is the path.” – Gautama Buddha
- “Happiness depends on ourselves.” – Aristotle
International Day of Happiness Activities
Want to know how to have fun on the special Day of Happiness? Here are some ideas:
- Host a happiness potluck: Ask your friends and family to bring a food that they love.
- Create a happiness jar: Write down things that make you smile on small pieces of paper and put them in a jar. When you’re feeling down, take out a piece of paper and read it.
- Write a thank-you list: Spend some time thinking about all the things in your life that you’re thankful for.
- Do a surprise good deed: Make someone happy by doing something kind for them, even if it’s something small.
- Organize a happiness challenge: Ask yourself and your friends to do one thing every day that brings joy.
Don’t forget, being happy is like going on a trip, not just reaching a place. By doing these easy things in your life, you can make your life happier and more fun.