The Elusive Pursuit of Happiness

We can all agree that happiness is an internal state humans universally strive to attain. But what exactly is happiness? And why does it seem like an unattainable dream for so many?

Definitions of happiness vary widely. There is no simple measure of happiness, but we undoubtedly recognize it when it is present. Aspects of happiness can be felt as fleeting joy—perhaps from a positive interaction, a good laugh, or savoring a favorite dessert. Alternatively, it can be a deeper, more enduring sense of satisfaction with the existential meaning of one’s life. The truth is that what brings joy, positive emotions, and a sense of well-being is highly individual, subjective, and multifactorial.

The United Nations’ World Happiness Report asks people from around the globe to rank the quality of their lives each year. Insights from this report, along with recent scientific research and wisdom from spiritual traditions, shed light on some of the common conditions and themes that underlie and contribute to happiness.

These include:

• Basic needs: Access to clean water, food, shelter, and financial security
• Personal safety: Freedom from violence and oppression
• Autonomy: The ability to make meaningful life choices and a sense of purpose
• Resilience: The capacity to cope with life’s inevitable challenges and changes
• Social connections: Strong community ties and supportive relationships
• Mental and physical health: Engaging in health-promoting activities and access to healthcare

Some factors influencing happiness are shaped by circumstances beyond personal control. For instance, fortunate or unfortunate conditions of birth, life events and environment can affect access to elements that promote happiness. However, such imbalances between individuals can be addressed at a societal level. Finland, for example, has ranked number one in the World Happiness Report for seven consecutive years, and demonstrates how a deliberate focus on quality of life can lead to widespread satisfaction.

Nordic concepts like friluftsliv (open-air life) and sisu (perseverance, courage, and grit in the face of adversity) significantly contribute to health, autonomy and resilience, and are gaining popularity worldwide. Interestingly, people of Finnish descent make up the largest ethnic group in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP). And coincidentally, both Finland and the UP boast accessible natural beauty, abundant lakes and forests, reliable heavy snowfall, and a rich tradition of cross-country skiing.

Among the most modifiable factors influencing happiness are social connectedness and engagement in health-promoting activities. Caring for others, sharing a sense of purpose, and physical activity—especially in nature—have been shown to reduce anxiety and depression while increasing happiness. In the Western UP—with its extensive trail systems for outdoor exercise, whether in peaceful solitude or with others, along with our culture of volunteerism and the tradition of sisu—we have many resources to enhance both individual and community happiness.

We plan to present follow-up articles in this space delving more deeply into the many aspects related to happiness. Consider our continued reading suggestions: The Open Air Life and Everyday Sisu.