Since 2013, the United Nations has celebrated International Day of Happiness on March 20. The initiative focuses on the important role happiness plays in the lives of people around the world. According to the 2020 World Happiness Report, Nordic countries consistently rank in the top ten of the happiest places in the world. Researchers believe there are many factors that account for this but point to higher rates of trust and generosity as two indicators that could explain the favorable and consistently high rankings. People in places such as Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Iceland also tend to score higher when it comes to something called social cohesion, which is made up of connectedness to others, good social relations and having a focus on the common good. That social cohesion element is a great place to start spreading happiness in the workplace. According to a recent report, happy employees are the most vocal and persuasive advocates for their organizations. Beyond the spread of optimism and goodwill, happiness matters because it can translate into a positive image for a company, bolstering corporate reputation and recruitment efforts. There are many health benefits of happiness, including:
- Better cardiac function
- Stronger immune system
- Longer life
- Increased productivity
- Reduced absentee rates
Clearly, happiness offers a win-win for everyone in a work environment. Infuse positivity into your workplace with four simple ideas.
- Greet co-workers with a smile.
- Praise the efforts of colleagues.
- Surprise people with kindness.
- Host a happiness event periodically.
Learn more about happiness at work in this Blue Cross® Virtual Well-Being webinar. You can also sign up for future employer-focused and general interest webinars here, where you’ll find past sessions and resources. Related:
- Help Employees Create Brain-Boosting Habits
- Leading Employees Through Change
- Getting Organized at Work
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