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The Blue Zones of Happiness

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The Blue Zones of Happiness

World Economic Forum,

5 min read
5 take-aways
Audio & text

What's inside?

Don’t chase happiness. Instead, create the ideal environment for it.

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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Controversial
  • Overview
  • Engaging

Recommendation

Global explorer Dan Buettner rose to fame through his study of “Blue Zones,” the regions where people live longest. In this engaging talk, he culls his Blue Zones research for practical knowledge about happiness. Despite a moment of strong language, getAbstract suggests this lecture to all seeking happier lives and nations. Buettner’s research won’t guarantee happiness, he explains, but it can “tell you how to stack the proverbial deck.”

Summary

Three nations – Singapore, Costa Rica and Denmark – offer enduring lessons on happiness. Each “Blue Zone” is uniquely happy: Singapore rates strongly in “life satisfaction,” or how people assess their life. Costa Rica excels in “positive affect,” the enjoyment of everyday life. Denmark gets high scores for “purpose,” or meaningful existence. However, these countries share six common denominators that account for “about 90% of human happiness”:

  1. “GDP” – This measure improves happiness up to a point. After a country attains about $25,000 GDP per capita annually, pursuing other goals, such as increased...

About the Speaker

Global explorer Dan Buettner is a National Geographic fellow and an expert on longevity.


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