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Ever since I have known about the World Happiness Report of SDSN since past 3 to 4 years, I have noticed one thing in common throughout all these years. The Nordic countries (Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland) hold the top positions unshakingly. What could be the reason behind their success over Bhutan? BHUTAN was the first nation to publish its Happiness Index, giving priority to something unnoticed by the world.
There is a Swedish term “gottoka” which means “the act of getting early to hear the first bird sing in nature”. The Swedish begin their day with gottoka. Similarly in Norway, they have “utepils” means “to be outdoor for having the first drink of the year “. They love to end the day with utepils. These significant life principles highlight the importance of happiness and self-worth in nations like these. Their society has transformed from experiencing a higher suicide rate in 1970s-80s to being the role model for others. This recipe has more ingredients that add up to enhance its taste:
IMPORTANCE OF BREAK
Scandinavians love to take leaves and enjoy despite the harsh cold weather. They are allotted long leaves over the sick or festive leaves without any reduction in salaries. This helps in creating a work life balance which most developed or developing nations ignore. Surprisingly there is a concept call “stress leave” that can be taken from the employer any time without getting afraid of the vicious loop of fire and hire system.
LESS WORKING HOURS
They work only for 37 hours for just 5 days a week in Denmark whereas approximately 44 hours a week in US. Looking globally developing countries like India work for 2117 hours/year and US for 1757 hours/year. There is a simple notion that long working hours increase productivity. But scientifically proven, it hampers creativity, blocks the mind from thinking beyond a set pattern and thereby destabilises the output rates. The concept of breaks and lesser working hours make them exceptionally active throughout their work period. Working for long hours is a symbol of incapability to complete the work on time.
SOCIAL BENEFITS
They are provided with longer maternity and paternity leave compared to other nations. This not only relieves the mother from just being a homemaker but also makes the father much more responsible towards family needs. Moreover, they get free health benefits, free education and unemployment wages.
LESS CRIME
Due to enough social security net, the society is peaceful and less dependent on crimes. The crowd gets numerous options to earn and make money which is not the case with others. Crime rate in India have been steadily increasing in past 3 years. This year Detroit figured as the most violent city in US.
HOMOGENOUS POPULATION
Some experts believe that population homogeneity is the main reason behind these happy faces. But this does not hold true. In 2017 Norway had approximately 17 % of migrants while Sweden had 24% of migrants. This can be looked via a different perspective. The society represents a perfectly blended heterogenous surrounding where there is freedom of thought, expression, faith, belief and action. This equality creates a sense of belonging and patriotism to the nation.
TRUST AMONG SOCIETY AND GOVERNMENT
Since the government is able to practice the principle of welfare state, the people put their blind trust in them. This is the reason why people are ready to pay taxes as high as 150% on cars and luxuries.
The world is standing at the forefront of pandemic, cyber-attacks, arms race, exploitation, gender biasing and protectionism. Instead of running in the mad race of superiority we must start running behind old grandma tales, soothing melodies, nature and its serenity, books, animals, people and a lot more that brings our lives back in us.
“DILO ME BETABIYAAN LEKE KE JEE RAHE HO, TO ZINDA HO TUM”
Truly speaking there is no secret recipe to their perfectly blended life. The only secret that lies is:
“lagom“….not too little..not too much..just right. -SWEDISH
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.