The Little Book Of Lykke

The Little Book of Lykke gives Danish-derived and science-backed tips that will help you be happier.

They say that nothing is certain except death and taxes. While this idiom is funny, it identifies the truth that a lot of people despise paying taxes. But can you imagine a place where citizens actually enjoy paying taxes, even at average tax rates of 45%? Denmark is such a place, and it’s no accident that it’s also one of the happiest countries in the world.

Danes are glad to contribute to the welfare of society by paying taxes because they know that their money goes toward helping the common good. They know that because of their taxes, they’ll be taken care of as well as help provide the same for their neighbors and friends.

From the World Happiness Report of the United Nations, one factor in a country’s happiness is the strength of the sense of community. It’s much easier to see the world in a better light when you know that, should you fall on hard financial times, your government and fellow citizens will help take care of you.

To develop this sense of social unity wherever you live, Wiking teaches to get off social media and spend time with the people around you. One experiment from the Happiness Research Institute found that when people stayed away from Facebook for an entire week they felt less lonely and were more satisfied in life.

Most Danish people don’t work 40 hours a week. Working an average of about 1,450 hours each year, Danes work less than 30 hours a week! And this added free time makes them happier, too.

I recently began the freelancer style of work, which increases happiness through granting more free time. Instead of having an employer I get clients and work for them instead. While I’ve added a few extra stresses like more uncertain pay, I’m grateful for the deeper levels of freedom I have now, and the happiness that has come with it!

My job satisfaction has improved significantly, as has my life satisfaction, because of the added freedom I have each day. I can follow my passions as I want, change my schedule to fit my needs, and even say no to clients I don’t want to work with.

In Denmark they have what’s called the “Bonus Grandparents” program. New parents who don’t have as much family support can connect with senior citizens around them to get help with watching their children. The parents get more free time, and thus more happiness. And the new pseudo-grandparents have a chance to become more active by watching the children, which is also what helps them live longer!