We celebrate Hunt for Happiness week in the third full week of January. This year the holiday takes place from January 19 to 25. Happiness is the driving force of human life. Most of our actions are in search of happiness. But we seldom find long-term happiness. Hunt for Happiness week is all about celebrating the little joys in life. It is not about being happy all the time, it is about making the best out of little things as much as we can. Pamela Gail Johnson started the week with an agenda to appreciate and acknowledge the happiest moments in our everyday lives that we usually overlook.
History of Hunt for Happiness Week
Are you happy? That might be a difficult question to answer. For any normal person, there are moments of euphoria and there are moments of agony and pain. So one might say, “I am okay.” But saying “okay” is just a courtesy. People generally do not consider themselves happy in normal circumstances. However, we have a lot to be grateful for and happy about. The sad thing is that we do not generally appreciate or acknowledge the little things in life that make us happy. Hunt for Happiness week is all about hunting for reasons to be happy.
The general theme of everyone’s life is about finding happiness. Most of our activities are in pursuit of happiness. Oftentimes, we are not that satisfied with the results. It is a human condition to never settle but to strive for more. In the perpetual search for happiness, we forget what we have achieved. This never-ending strife keeps us under the illusion of sadness. We, as a species, have achieved peace and prosperity that other species cannot comprehend. We have water to drink, food to eat, people who love and care for us, a house to shelter us, and a dream to chase. Should that not be a reason to be content?
The Society of Happy People started the Hunt for Happiness week in 2001. Pamela Gail Johnson was the brain behind the secret society. Johnson is a speaker, author, and advocate for happiness. Her idea of happiness accepts the reality that there can be sad moments too; it is more about realism in happiness. After all, what is life without a bit of balance? All we have to do this week is to acknowledge the things and people that make us happy and genuinely work towards a happy life.
Hunt for Happiness Week timeline
The second verse of the Dhammapada, a collection of Buddhist ideas, provides a basic understanding of the concepts of suffering and happiness.
Socrates links the idea of happiness with the concepts of justice, virtue, and the ultimate meaning of life.
William James proposes the idea that happiness can come from aligning ourselves with a higher purpose.
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi launches the scientific study of “what makes happy people happy.”
The Secret Society of Happy People proposes the third week of January as the "Hunt for Happiness Week."
Hunt for Happiness Week FAQs
Why is happiness important in life?
Happiness is perhaps one of the most important aspects of life. There is scientific evidence correlating happiness with health. A happy person tends to have a better immune system, stress response, lower pain threshold, a stronger heart, and overall better life expectancy.
What is the true key to happiness?
We achieve happiness through various means. Achieving a goal, believing in a higher purpose, being in love, having a passion, etc. are all keys to happiness.
Is happiness the ultimate goal in life?
According to Aristotle, happiness could be the ultimate goal. Happiness in itself is not a means to anything, and most other aspects of life are a pursuit of happiness. So yes, we can say happiness is one of the ultimate goals in life.
Hunt for Happiness Week Activities
Write about yourself and what makes you happy
Happiness starts within ourselves, but not everyone has found it. Take a moment to write about yourself and post the same on social media for others to read. Someone will surely find it helpful and inspiring.
Arrange a meet-up with everyone that made you happy
Take this time to appreciate and show special love to people who made you happy in the past. You might have drifted apart from some of them, but let them know that you still remember and appreciate the good time you had together.
Reflect on your mental health, academics, and career
For most people, a lot of stress and sorrow come from their careers. Take this time to reflect on what can be done to make your life better in terms of happiness. Discuss this with your colleagues, and if you are still a student, do the same with your classmates.
5 Important Facts About Happiness
Happy and strong
Happiness can positively affect overall health by improving the immune system.
Happiest country
Finland is the happiest country in the world according to the World Happiness Report released by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network
Happy and yellow
Most studies suggest that the color yellow is associated with happiness.
Happiest animal
Quokka, a small native Australian marsupial, is known as the happiest animal in the world due to its cuteness and friendliness.
Happiness is a contagious condition
Happiness can spread from one person to another and we can feel happiness just by being around happy people.
Why We Love Hunt for Happiness Week
A week to acknowledge happiness
Hunt for Happiness week is an occasion to celebrate the people, events, and little things that make us happy. Even if you are generally a happy person, celebrating this week may help you discover that you can be happier than before.
Can help boost mental health and peace
Happiness is the ultimate goal of life. Happiness can also boost mental health and immunity. In a way, celebrating the week helps identify the issues that we are facing and take the necessary steps to have a better life.
Best week to catch up with old mates
Celebrating happiness also means celebrating the people who make us happy. Hunt for Happiness week is the best opportunity to appreciate and deepen the bond with those wonderful people who made your day.
Hunt for Happiness Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | January 16 | Sunday |
| 2023 | January 15 | Sunday |
| 2024 | January 21 | Sunday |
| 2025 | January 19 | Sunday |
| 2026 | January 18 | Sunday |
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