In the latest World Happiness Report, published in 2025, the UK just about made it into the top 25.[i] Showing us all up at the top of the list was Finland, followed by Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden. An impressive 64% of the countries featured were European, though the UK was ranked lowest among them in the 23rd spot.
With the International Day of Happiness celebrated in March (20th if you’re interested), we consider why it’s important to be happy and how the emotion can influence every aspect of life.
More than a smile
Feeling happy does more than simply put us in a good mood. The literature shows that happier people achieve better life outcomes, which include greater financial success, more supportive relationships, enhanced mental health, and improved physical health and longevity.[ii] Prolonged happiness has been found to both precede and predict these outcomes.
Other research has shown that happy people tend to be more successful at work as well, being more likely to secure job interviews, be evaluated positively by superiors, deliver greater performance and productivity, and handle management roles well. Those who are generally happier are also less likely to experience burnout.[iii]
All of this indicates that we should all be making joy a priority in our everyday lives.
What makes us tick?
Many things contribute to our feeling of happiness. Among the potential endogenous factors at play, the brain and neurotransmitters, hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, and overall physical health have all been found to affect happiness. There is also some evidence that genetics contribute significantly too.[iv]
In addition, our behaviours influence our emotions. A large-scale Health and Happiness Study is currently underway by researchers at Harvard and Oxford Universities.[v] They are collecting data from more than 10,000 participants worldwide to develop our understanding of happiness and wellbeing among the population. Initial results from the previous phase of research in 2025 confirmed that daily physical activity and adequate sleep correlate with higher levels of happiness and less stress. Happiness also peaked when individuals were partaking in cultural or social activities, eating or spending time with loved ones.
In a professional environment, meaningful work, feeling appreciated by co-workers, and enjoyment of daily tasks are all associated with increased happiness at work.[vi] Other factors include fair pay, good management, and a positive social environment,[vii] all of which can be found in a well-run dental practice.
The good life
Happiness is so much more than a fleeting emotion. It is a powerful tool in improving quality of life and should be treated as such. Be sure to take some time for the people and activities that make you happy this month!
Author: Michael Sultan
[i] The top 25 happiest countries in 2025 plus our 4 favourite findings from the 2025 World Happiness report. Happier Lives Institute. March 2025. https://www.happierlivesinstitute.org/2025/03/20/the-top-25-happiest-countries-in-2025-plus-our-four-favourite-findings-from-the-2025-world-happiness-report/?utm_term=&utm_campaign=&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=4743918760&hsa_cam=22662202742&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22662232547&gbraid=0AAAAAooB9aNWOGPYmXTaQOagBe8hskQas&gclid=CjwKCAiA-__MBhAKEiwASBmsBIYUKV_eDXV-HudPY-nK0xGRve23jUJgDRQgJSz4tJqB9-2kUY3nIBoC5dEQAvD_BwE [Accessed February 2026]
[ii] Cohn MA, Fredrickson BL, Brown SL, Mikels JA, Conway AM. Happiness unpacked: positive emotions increase life satisfaction by building resilience. Emotion. 2009 Jun;9(3):361-8. doi: 10.1037/a0015952. PMID: 19485613; PMCID: PMC3126102.
[iii] Lyubomirsky S, King L, Diener E. The benefits of frequent positive affect: does happiness lead to success? Psychol Bull. 2005 Nov;131(6):803-55. doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.131.6.803. PMID: 16351326.
[iv] Dfarhud D, Malmir M, Khanahmadi M. Happiness & Health: The Biological Factors- Systematic Review Article. Iran J Public Health. 2014 Nov;43(11):1468-77. PMID: 26060713; PMCID: PMC4449495.
[v] Researchers share initial findings from landmark happiness study. University f Oxfords. Wellbeing Research Centre. 15 March 2025. https://wellbeing.hmc.ox.ac.uk/news/health-happiness-study-initial-findings/ [Accessed February 2026]
[vi] Charles-Leija H, Castro CG, Toledo M, Ballesteros-Valdés R. Meaningful Work, Happiness at Work, and Turnover Intentions. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Feb 17;20(4):3565. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20043565. PMID: 36834260; PMCID: PMC9963286.
[vii] What makes employees happy. University of East Anglia Norwich. https://www.uea.ac.uk/research/research-archive/what-makes-employees-happy [Accessed February 2026]
