The International Day of Happiness, celebrated on the 20th March this year, is a beautiful reminder to reflect on what truly makes us happy.
This year’s theme, Caring and Sharing, fits perfectly because the science of happiness shows that real joy comes from meaningful connection, compassion, and sharing life with others.
How Connection Enhances Our Overall Wellbeing
Decades of research, including the famous Harvard Study of Adult Development, reveals that the single biggest predictor of happiness and health is the quality of our relationships. It’s not money or success, but how deeply connected we feel to others that impacts our wellbeing.
The science of happiness also shows that caring for others activates the brain’s reward system, releasing feel-good hormones like oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin. This explains why acts of kindness and sharing don’t just help others—they create a sense of happiness and calm within us too.
Positive Psychology and the Practice of Happiness
One important field of study that deepens our understanding of happiness is Positive Psychology, founded by psychologist Martin Seligman in the late 1990s. Unlike traditional psychology, which often focuses on treating mental illness, Positive Psychology explores what makes life worth living and how we can thrive.
Seligman’s research identified five key elements of wellbeing—known as the PERMA model: Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Achievement. According to Seligman, cultivating these areas is essential for lasting happiness. One of the most powerful insights from Positive Psychology is that happiness is not just a fleeting feeling but a skill we can practice and strengthen through gratitude, connection, acts of kindness, and finding purpose in our daily lives.
Why Caring and Sharing Increases Happiness
When we care for others or share simple moments, meals, or even conversations, we meet one of our most fundamental needs: the need for connection and belonging. Studies show that practicing compassion lowers stress, boosts mood, and promotes emotional resilience.
This positive cycle is often called the “helper’s high”—the joyful feeling we get when we extend kindness to someone else. The science of happiness reminds us that giving is truly receiving, creating a ripple effect of wellbeing.
Simple Ways to Bring More Happiness (and Connection) Into Your Day
The good news? Happiness doesn’t require big changes—small daily actions can make a meaningful difference. Here are a few ways to weave connection and care into your routine:
- Start your day with gratitude: Think of someone you appreciate and send them a message or give them a call. This small action strengthens connection.
- Do a random act of kindness: Buy a coffee for someone, compliment a friend, or check in on a neighbour. Simple gestures have a lasting impact.
- Share experiences, not just things: Go for a walk with a friend, share a nourishing meal, or book a spa treatment together. Shared moments build stronger bonds.
- Be present and listen: Often, truly listening to someone is the greatest act of care, making them feel seen and heard.
- Give back to your community: Whether you volunteer, support a local cause, or help a neighbour, acts of service enrich your own sense of happiness.
The science of happiness teaches us that caring, sharing, and connecting with others are simple yet powerful ways to lift our mood and nourish our soul.
This International Day of Happiness, we invite you to reflect on the small ways you can spread kindness and joy, not just today, but every day.
Written by Lisa McLean, Holistic Counsellor & Mindfulness Mentor.
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