Happiness and the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan

I think we'd all agree that the Marina is a great place to live. But it was the monarch of Bhutan who defined the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) to measure quality of life. And Bhutan is the only country in the world that puts happiness and general well-being at the heart of its government policy. This tiny nation, with a population of 700,000, is totally isolated and situated between two of the most densely populated countries, India and China.

Some researchers argue that happiness is largely determined by genetics and other factors primarily outside of our control. Others think that our brains are hard wired to maintain a certain level of happiness - for example, no matter whether we win the lottery or are involved in a terrible accident, within a year we return to about the same emotional set-point as before.

 But emerging research suggests we can actually take charge of our happiness and that, in part, it is within our power to change. Read this information about how to make a gratitude adjustment. And try these tips that don't take much time and are not hard to implement:

Become more aware of what brings you joy. Set aside time to experience and acknowledge your gratitude. Research participants asked to write gratitude letters to those who had helped them. They said that, as a result, they had a lasting increase in happiness over weeks and even months. What's even more surprising is that sending the letter was not necessary. Even those who wrote letters, but never delivered them, still reported feeling better afterwards.

Embrace simplicity and appreciate what you have. Walk to the beach and enjoy a moonlit night or take you family camping and roast marshmallows over the fire. Those who practice writing down three good things that happen to them every week show a significant increase in happiness. When life isn't going so well, be optimistic and try to find the silver lining in any situation. Being more hopeful about the circumstances, a process called reframing, can lead to increased feelings of well-being.

Practice random acts of kindness. Focusing on the positive can help you remember reasons to be glad. When we perform good deeds and assist others it also benefits us. A recent study found that the more people participated in meaningful activities, the happier they were and the more they felt their lives had purpose. Pleasure-seeking behaviors, on the other hand, did not make them happier.

Like a lot of psychological and social indicators, GNH is easier to describe than define with statistical precision. However, the Bhutanese people seem to know that happiness is multi-dimensional. They practice Buddhism and live by a matriarchal system – it's the women who inherit the land. Their country has very few cars, no branding in the shops, a single television station and a passion for archery. Healthcare and education are free for life. Almost every citizen dresses in the national costume and regulations on architecture preserve the craft industry of religious art. Yes, there is uniformity, consistency and they're mobilized for the preservation of their core values.

Here you can read about one woman's painful losses that ended in a chance to live life more fully. Then, even though you live in one of the happiest places outside of Bhutan, get ready to increase your sense of well-being.

Having our friend, colleague and neighbor, Marilee Karlsen, share her captivating photos here sure made us happy!