Instead of trying to change your behavior to become happier, focus on changing your surroundings because environmental factors have a greater and more sustainable impact on well-being. The podcast suggests that trying to modify behavior for the long term is a bad investment with low success rates.
If you are unhappy where you live, consider moving to a location known for high happiness levels, as people who move to happier nations can report a doubling of their happiness within a year by absorbing the local culture. Every move provides an opportunity to choose a neighborhood that promotes higher levels of well-being.
If moving isn’t feasible, actively work to change your current environment by creating inviting public spaces, fostering community, and challenging restrictive local rules. Small improvements can bring people together and make your area more happiness-inducing, eventually convincing local governments to make positive changes permanent.
Actively choose and surround yourself with four or five people who positively influence your life, as strong, intentional social connections are a common factor in longevity and happiness hotspots. This helps combat loneliness and provides support.
Shift your diet to be primarily plant-based and whole foods, as this is a common dietary practice among people in longevity Blue Zones who live long, healthy lives without conscious restriction.
Structure your environment and daily routines to encourage movement every 20 minutes or so, rather than relying on formal exercise, as people in Blue Zones are nudged into physical activity by their surroundings.
Advocate for and prioritize free time in your life and work, as countries like Denmark have fought for time, resulting in shorter work weeks and a subjective sense of having enough free time, which is critical for well-being.
Adopt a mindset where family and personal life take precedence over work, making it acceptable to leave work for family commitments, as seen in Denmark where this balance contributes to a happier and more productive workforce.
Become a member of various clubs or groups centered around hobbies and interests, as this fosters social connection, physical activity, and allows you to be defined by your passions rather than just your work status.
Intentionally create warm, cozy times with people you care about, often involving simple pleasures like cake, coffee, or beer, focusing on togetherness rather than commercialized items. This practice, known as ‘hygge,’ helps cope with challenging periods like winter.
Avoid thinking you are special or better than others and refrain from showing off or being flashy, as this ethos (Jante’s Law) in Denmark contributes to a more cohesive and happier society by reducing social comparison and inequality.
Cultivate a higher level of trust in the people around you, as high-trust societies are generally happier and more cohesive, and this trust can be absorbed from your environment over time.
When looking to improve your local community, research its history, old photos, and past markets to discover what once made it vibrant and use these insights to inspire new community projects.
Take initiative to organize large community events in neglected or historic local buildings to draw people in, raise awareness, and demonstrate the potential for revival, which can lead to permanent transformation.
Identify and temporarily ‘break’ obscure local zoning rules or ordinances that hinder community gathering or beautification, to demonstrate the positive impact of changes and encourage local leaders to adjust laws permanently.