Essay Sample on What Is Happiness

Introduction

Happiness is defined as a state of well-being determined by the quality of life. There are many factors that determine the happiness of individuals such as taxation, employment, cost of living. These factors vary from place to place. Therefore happiness in a broad sense is determined by the location. However, it is important to note that the location is dependent on an individual. A Muslim may be happier living in Saudi Arabia than a Christian due to the religious restrictions. Language barriers may also inhibit the happiness of an individual. A country ranked as the happiest in the world may be inhabitable for another person.

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Which Geographical Factors Influence Happiness?

Different locations have different attributes which bring about different levels of happiness. One of the main factors is the seasons experienced by different locations. During the summer period, the temperatures are high and people are active which leads to increased happiness levels. People flock beaches and engage in fun activities. On the other hand, during winter, the cold restricts people with few fun activities available. It is common for people to go for holidays to countries that are not experiencing winter in pursuit of happiness. Another important factor is the number of hours of daylight and darkness. Religion is another factor that is location based. Different countries have different major religions. Take for instance Saudi Arabia which is an Islam country that previously forbade women to drive cars and compare it to The United States where religion has no bearing on rights. The women of the United States are bound to exhibit higher happiness levels than those of Saudi Arabia. Political structures also differ geographically and this has an impact on the happiness levels of individuals.

Happiest Countries in the World

A research was conducted to determine the happiest countries in the world. People were asked to rate their satisfaction with life on a scale of zero to ten. A rating of seven or higher was categorized as thriving while a rating of five or six was deemed as struggling and a rating of four and lower was categorized as suffering. The top five happiest countries were found to be Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Switzerland. The United States was ranked eighteenth on the report behind countries such as Costa Rica and Israel.

Geographical Health and Happiness

Health is a key determinant of happiness. There are areas that have a high prevalence of diseases which people tend to avoid. Each person has their own environmental DNA. There are people who are comfortable living in cold areas and cannot stand warm areas and the opposite is also true. In pursuit of happiness and good health, people move to find areas that suit them. According to the Census Bureau, American move twelve times during their lifetime. Study shows that people who live close to gyms, have good health plans tend to be healthier and happier

The Blue Zones of Happiness

The blue zone of happiness is those areas where people live longer lives. These areas have a culture of fitness, eating whole foods. The blue zones are also full of green spaces and abundant sunshine. Such areas have clean air to breathe and are the preferred destinations of many. Many people when they retire and are no longer money-oriented they start seeking happiness. The first thing they do is to move to a quiet place with clean air and gardens to relax. This is where they find their happiness. The blue zones are explained by the different life expectancy in different countries. The key to the longevity of life is happiness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the level of happiness is affected by many factors with geography among the most important. The seasons, temperature, religion, political structure of different locations influence the levels of happiness. According to research, the top five happiest countries are Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Switzerland. The United States of America is ranked eighteenth in the report. Another factor that is geographically based and influences happiness is health. Each individual has environmental DNA which draws them to places where they are happy. Finally, the blue zone of happiness are those areas where people live longer as a result of happiness. Clearly, happiness differs from place to place and it is correct to say that happiness is geographically based. Whether it is money, health, jobs people will move in pursuit of happiness.