Become happier: life hacks from different countries

China: Xingfu

Xingfu is the Chinese word for happiness. Xing – lucky, lucky, fu – having everything you need. The concept of xingfu does not refer to a good mood. This is life that makes sense.

“…Wei puts his brush aside, adjusts his glasses and gets up to inspect his work: thick black strokes on white paper. This is the art of Chinese calligraphy. Wei calls her “devil creation”. The calligraphy is beautiful and contemplative. And that’s Vey’s happiness.”

“The concept of xingfu means meaning, purpose, it is deeper than “happiness,” Wei explains, pressing his hand to his chest. Many cultures believe that happiness is fleeting and akin to pleasure, but in China, happiness is a life stance.

We can imagine the path, but we cannot chase the xingfu, it is not external. “People can achieve xingfu but not feel it because their appetites are growing,” Wei says. There is another option: “Happiness is what you have, divided by your expectations.” If you are a millionaire but aim for billions, you will not be happy. We must appreciate what we have. With the fall of traditional China, many strive to be “the best” and want “more”. For Xinfu, this is contraindicated.

How to experience xinfu

• Follow Wei’s example: write, draw, garden. Do something without overloading your mind.
• Find the Tibetan monk in you. Get into the mountains. Find peace, look at all problems from above. Just be.
• Think about what you want. Not about things, but about life. Write everything down on paper. Set off on a journey for the Xinfu.

Brazil: Trade

Saudade (saudadi) – a feeling defined as longing, melancholy, nostalgia. So they say about happiness that has passed or has not even happened. In the XNUMXth century, Portuguese ships took relatives and friends to Asia and Africa, and this is how the feeling of loss was described by those who remained at home. In the XNUMXth century, the Portuguese colonized what is now Brazil. The word was picked up to remember the homeland.

The philosopher Kierkegaard wrote that “there is a blessing in melancholy and sadness.” Researchers at the University of New South Wales have found that being sad increases attention to detail and helps you be persistent and generous. All of us have experienced something similar to pleasure, mixed with bitterness, looking at photographs and indulging in memories. A typical case is when we care. We love a person despite the fact that he disappeared from our lives a long time ago. We are not able to escape from longing and melancholy, this is the same as running away from life. That is why saudadi is an important term. Saudadi – nostalgia for what can not be returned. Or longing for something that didn’t happen.

The XNUMXth-century Portuguese writer Manuel de Melo said: “Saudadi is a pleasure that brings suffering, a disease that brings pleasure.” This concept recognizes that losses are inevitable and comes to terms with them. Psychologists believe that this way of thinking has its advantages. Recognizing that sadness is an integral part of life, that it is normal to be sad, is a very healthy approach. It allows you to accept suffering and deal with it. He does not devalue emotions, we can be in mourning and experience the highest degree of Saudadi, and then continue to live. We deal with difficulties. That is why Saudadi inspires artists and musicians. This approach to happiness has been around for thousands of years.

How to experience Saudadi

• Listen to the song “Chega de Saudade”. It’s better to find it on vinyl to catch the mood.
• Look for photos on social media. Let it be your ex that you can’t forget, or the friend you don’t talk to anymore. Do not hold back emotions, surrender to longing and indulge in memories.
• Remember loved ones and departed people. Be grateful to those who are still with you.
• Spend a whole day on Saudadi. The Brazilians do it on January 30th, but we are not tied to dates. Watch old movies, listen to evocative music, read love letters (and emails and text messages).

Greece: Meraki

Meraki (meraki) – the word came to Greek from the Turkish language. Now it is a concept of precision, dedication and attention to everything, including creativity. Point, clear expression of love and care.

Greece is the land of Dionysus and dances. The locals know how to enjoy life. In addition to fun, however, they have a much more modest and less well-known concept of happiness. Meraki allows you to devote yourself to something one hundred percent.

Meraki can be used in any area – even when roasting meat and setting the table. This concept has nothing to do with the result, the merak should not be distracted. It’s all about attention and dedication. “I cook with all my heart,” says Angeliki, an architect from Athens. “I enjoy the process and know that my work will bring joy to others.”

If you have a passion that you are proud of, you can put up with a job you hate. Even the most ordinary communication among the Greeks is filled with care and love. Modern psychology believes that the key to health lies in frequent contact with family and friends. The Greeks were good at this. “It can take an hour to get home, even if you are already on the doorstep,” says Angeliki. “You need to talk to all the relatives you meet.”

The national anthem of Greece has 158 verses. Here are the measures. Meraki means that even in the most difficult times there is something to strive for. A small passion, a hobby can make a big difference in life. Meraki allows you to stop, not run on business and create something with love.

How to get merak

• Turn off your phone and try to be creative for ten minutes.
• Prepare food with soul or order delivery, but decorate the table. Yes, yes, make a swan out of a napkin.
• Enjoy completing a project. Perfectionism is bad if it leads to stress. Meraki is passion.
• Haven’t found a way to discharge yet? Try a new hobby. It makes you happier. If you go into this activity with your head and focus on it, you will also begin to pump self-awareness. Double benefit.

Iceland: Tehta reddast

Þetta reddast (tehta reddut) – “everything will work out.” This is the national motto of Iceland, which characterizes the modern Vikings in the best possible way. Icelanders are friendly, but at the same time they have a steel core – unusual, right? In times of adversity, they continue to believe that everything will be fine. No matter what happened, there is a way out of any situation.

Living in Iceland is quite difficult: the temperature reaches minus 25 degrees, and daylight hours in winter last only four hours. Birtna, a social psychologist, admits: “Icelanders chose an inhospitable land as their home, but settled it. Everything worked out. We grew up saying to ourselves: tehta reddut.” Iceland regularly makes the list of the happiest countries in the world.

Birtna explains that there are no obstacles for Icelanders if they really want something. Let’s say they dream of writing a book or running a marathon. So, they write a book and run a marathon. Tech reddut, everything will work out. “We know that everything is possible, we are taught to think so, we have a spark that allows us to move forward.”

How to believe in techta reddust

• Think positive. Icelanders do this while living in a freezer, so you can definitely do it.
• Be creative. Work through the long winter nights.
• If there is a hostile environment outside, develop inner peace. Read books or be a little Icelandic and write your own.
• Be strong – in the spirit of the Vikings. Go in for sports, strain your muscles and take fish oil. Icelanders swear that it uplifts the mood and improves well-being. You can buy capsules, but purists prefer to eat it with spoons. Icelanders say you’re not a real man if you can’t drink fish oil. Birtna advises taking it before meals so that you don’t smell fishy afterwards. So, this is where the personal revolution will begin.

Switzerland: Federerism

It is a kind of philosophy and ideology named after tennis player Roger Federer. May apply to Switzerland as a whole. Federism is control, precision, sportiness, enterprise, order, cleanliness. In other words, all the qualities that a tennis genius from Basel possesses.

Several times Switzerland was called the happiest country in the world, but no one knows what the reason is. In any case, the Swiss themselves are silent on this score. “We are very rational,” says Stefan, a Zurich resident. “We prefer security, stability, open discussions and a good standard of living.” The country has low unemployment, low taxes, but medicine is very developed, and well-being is at a high level.

Diccon Buses, author of Watching Switzerland, writes that they are very self-confident. Dikkon has lived for thirteen years in Bern and has a good command of the material. “Switzerland has a very high level of satisfaction – and rightfully so.” The Swiss are for preparation, order, control, constancy, and the opportunity to reap the fruits of their labor. They generally avoid emotionality and drama, maintaining a holistic image. Dickon writes that they are polite and do not draw attention to themselves. “It can be minus 17 outside, but the Swiss will say that it’s a little colder – or not pay attention to it at all.” The flip side of the coin is excessive restraint.

The locals love to be in control. Switzerland is closer than other countries to true democracy. Ordinary people can propose amendments to the constitution. Upon request, each new law can be tested by referendum. Politicians cannot change anything without the consent of society. Each canton has relative autonomy. The principle of direct democracy means that only eighty percent of decisions are made by the government and parliament, and every citizen is involved in the political process.

Economist Bruno Frey has researched the relationship between democracy and happiness and found that residents of regions where referendums are held more frequently are happier and more self-confident. They feel their importance.

And finally, federalism implies constancy. It makes no sense to be a genius today and a nobody tomorrow. The Swiss have been repeating for years that they are fine, and for years they have shown brilliant results in terms of happiness.

How to Incorporate Federalism into Your Life

• Be amazing at something. Then don’t brag. Be polite to everyone at all times.
• Get ready for everything. You may not need a Swiss Army knife. It’s about getting things in order, planning ahead, taking food to work, writing down career goals and how to achieve them.
• Live in the moment. If you are ready, you can play and not be afraid that something will go wrong.

Source: H. Russell “Atlas of Happiness. Unique Recipes for Happiness” (Bombora 2019).