Is there a recipe for true happiness?

ON Wednesday, March 20, 2024, there were news report on the status of happiness in various nations across the world. That was part of the United Nations International Day of Happiness, which takes place throughout the world on March 20 of every year. What is Nigeria’s place in this year’s ranking? Have the suffering and hardship being experienced in the country made it to fall much lower in the ranking this time around, or has our resilience in the face of hardship and suffering helped us to move a little higher above our 95th position in last years ranking? Nigeria ranked 102nd globally this year. According to many newspaper reports of March 21, 2023, Nigeria ranked 95th as the happiest nation in the world, with 4.981 points. This happiness report which was released by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network of the United Nations on March 20, 2023, assigned a happiness score on a scale of zero to 10 based on an average over a three-year period.

Among African countries, Mauritius topped the list with 5.902 points, followed by Algeria (5.329), South-Africa (5.275), Congo Brazzaville (5.267), Guinea (5.072), Cote d Ivoire (5.053) and Gabon (5.035). Why is true happiness so elusive? Is there a recipe for true happiness? If so, what is it? A good recipe and a good cook make for a good meal! In a way, it is similar with happiness. It is not the result of a single factor, but many things in life come together to produce happiness. These include work, play, time with family and friends, and spiritual activities. But there are also more subtle factors such as attitudes, desires and goals in life. Furthermore, in a January 1, 2018 article published in The Guardian Nigeria newspapers, by Ujunwa Atueyi, five main, practical points were discussed, about how everyone can find happiness and live a purpose-driven life. These practical points are highlighted below:

Many studies have focused on the role of physical exercise not only in keeping us fit, but also in improving other aspects of our physical and mental health. Furthermore, numerous studies have shown that exercise can counteract and prevent depression.As little as one hour of exercise each week, regardless of intensity, can keep mood disorders at bay, found researchers from Australia’s Black Dog Institute. A good nights sleep should be a priority in our search for happiness and wellness. Sleep is important in memory consolidation, fear learning, and keeping our brain well-rested so that we can react appropriately to events during the day. Again, what you eat does influence your mood. A systematic review of multiple studies that investigated the link between diet and mental health concluded that a Mediterranean-style diet consisting mainly of fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains could prevent depression. Also, research suggests that if we want to get that joie de vivre into our lives, then we had better spend more time outside. In order to really feel happier, we should spend more time in nature. Finally, but very importantly, in order to achieve a stronger sense of fulfilment and well-being, we should learn to treat ourselves with kindness – and then extend that generosity to others.

Regarding this final point on kindness and generosity, Professors Phillipe Tobler and Ernst Fehr from the University of Zurich in Switzerland confirm what the Holy Scriptures say in Acts 20:35, quoted at the outset. Their research showed that generosity is strongly associated with happiness, and we feel more joy when we give. This also supports previous research that indicated that volunteer work brings psychological benefits. Also, let us all remember to just be thankful. Gratitude for what we have, and for the people in our lives, is another important factor when it comes to mental well-being, leading to more optimism and improved relationships. A happy disposition is also good medicine, says Proverbs 17:22a. Happiness or related mental states like hopefulness, optimism and contentment appear to reduce the risk or limit the severity of cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes, hypertension, colds and upper-respiratory infections, says a report in Time magazine. Furthermore, a Dutch study of elderly patients revealed that over a nine-year period, a happy, positive disposition reduced the risk of death by an amazing 50 percent! Research has also shown that positive, optimistic people have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is known to suppress the immune system.

Just as following a good recipe can produce delicious food, so following divine guidance can result in happiness. To conclude, here are nine ingredients for happiness (Sourced from: Awake! magazine, April 2006): Develop a spiritual outlook on life.-Matthew 5:3). Be content and avoid the love of money. (-1 Timothy 6:6-10.). Keep pleasures in their place.(2 Timothy 3:1, 4.). Be generous and work for the happiness of others. (Acts 20:35.). Be thankful and count your blessings.-Colossians 3:15. Have a forgiving spirit. (Matthew 6:14). Choose your associates wisely (Proverbs 13:20). Take good care of your body and shun bad habits (2 Corinthians 7:1) and Rejoice in the hope set out for you in the Bible.(Romans 12:12).