National Happiness Happens Day

National Happiness Happens Day is celebrated annually on August 8th. This day is dedicated to recognising and celebrating the moments of happiness that occur in everyday life. It encourages people to share their happiness and spread joy to those around them, fostering a positive and uplifting atmosphere.

Origins and Purpose

National Happiness Happens Day was created by the Secret Society of Happy People (SOHP), founded in 1998 by Pamela Gail Johnson. The organisation was established to promote the expression of happiness and to counter the societal tendency to overlook or dismiss positive emotions. Originally called “Admit You’re Happy Day,” the name was later changed to better reflect the spontaneous and contagious nature of happiness.

The purpose of National Happiness Happens Day is multifaceted:

1. Recognition of Happiness: The day aims to help people recognise and appreciate the moments of joy and contentment that occur in their lives.
2. Promotion of Positivity: It encourages individuals to share their happiness, creating a ripple effect that can uplift others and enhance overall well-being.
3. Counteracting Negativity: By focusing on positive emotions, the day seeks to counterbalance the often overwhelming presence of negativity in media and daily conversations.

How to Celebrate

National Happiness Happens Day can be celebrated in numerous creative and enjoyable ways:

1. Sharing Joy: Take the opportunity to share happy moments or positive news with friends, family, and colleagues. This could be through conversations, social media posts, or even small acts of kindness.
2. Random Acts of Kindness: Perform random acts of kindness to bring joy to others. This could be as simple as paying for someone’s coffee, leaving a kind note, or offering compliments.
3. Reflecting on Happiness: Spend time reflecting on what makes you happy. This could involve writing in a journal, creating a gratitude list, or meditating on positive experiences.
4. Celebrating Achievements: Recognise and celebrate personal achievements and milestones, no matter how small. Acknowledging progress and success contributes to a sense of happiness and fulfilment.
5. Engaging in Enjoyable Activities: Dedicate time to activities that bring you joy, whether it’s a hobby, spending time with loved ones, or simply relaxing and enjoying nature.
6. Creating Happy Spaces: Decorate your home or workspace with items that make you happy, such as photos, inspirational quotes, or plants.

Unique Ways to Celebrate

1. Happiness Jar: Start a happiness jar where you write down happy moments on small pieces of paper and collect them in a jar. On Happiness Happens Day, read through them and relive those joyful memories.
2. Compliment Chain: Start a compliment chain at work or among friends. Each person gives a genuine compliment to someone else, creating a chain of positivity.
3. Virtual Happiness Party: Host a virtual party where friends and family can share stories, play games, and enjoy each other’s company, all focused on spreading happiness.
4. Happiness Hunt: Organise a happiness hunt, similar to a scavenger hunt, where participants look for things that bring them joy in their surroundings.
5. Create a Happiness Playlist: Compile a playlist of songs that make you happy and share it with others. Music has a powerful ability to influence mood and spread joy.

Conclusion

National Happiness Happens Day is a wonderful opportunity to focus on the positive aspects of life and to spread joy to those around us. By recognising and celebrating happiness, we can create a more positive and uplifting environment for ourselves and others. Whether through small acts of kindness, sharing happy moments, or engaging in joyful activities, there are countless ways to participate in this day and make happiness happen.